Production conditions

The new Bleu d’Auvergne PDO product specifications set the farming and production methods that must be used by all Bleu d’Auvergne PDO producers.
In terms of milk production, the new product specifications place primary importance on cows being grass fed.
Specifically, this is reflected in terms of:

• Grazing

Cows must graze for at least 150 days per year across a surface area of 30 acres/animal.

• Feed

During the seasons when weather conditions make grazing impossible, the dairy cow’s basic ration is exclusively made up of feed produced within the geographic area.

As it is difficult, even impossible, to produce grain within the production area, only grain concentrates produced outside the production area are authorised for use as feed for cows and is limited to 1,800 kg per year, from a limited type of authorised feeds.

GMO products, urea, flavouring, colouring, yeast, palm oil, slops, formaldehyde tanning agents, etc. are strictly prohibited.

Further, only dairy cows from the PDO production area may produce milk for the PDO. The introduction into the herd of cows or heifers born and/or reared outside the designation area is strictly prohibited.