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The
richness of Crau pastureland
lies in the natural plant balance that comes from
the climate, soil and regular water.
The
species found in the hay are of excellent quality.
Among those characterising Crau hay are rye grass,
white clover, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, orchard
grass and meadow fescue… There are always more than
twenty species present.
The
soil and the traditional method of culture allowed
a designation of origin label to be registered (AOC)
in 1997. AOC Crau hay is recognisable from its red
and white baling twine. For traceability purposes
all shipments must be accompanied by the supporting
documentation.
Crau
hay has an international reputation, in particular
for race horses. Each one of the three cuts has
its own particularities, combination of flowers,
nutritive value and palatability. Animals prefer
Crau hay to any other fodder.
- The first cut
is rich in graminae grasses and is
suitable for horses and cattle.
- The second
cut
very well balanced cut is particularly
suitable for dairy cows as it increases milk yield.
Horses also enjoy it.
- The third cut
which is rich in legumes, is suitable
for sheep and goats.
Production
runs from May to September. From October to mid
February Arles merino sheep graze the fourth growth.
Crau
hay is a traditional and natural product. No phytosanitary
treatment is employed. A phosphate-potassium fertilizer
is spread once a year. The pasture is gravity irrigated
every 10 days from March to September, 70% of this
water goes back into the water table and so prevents
water shortages in the area. The hay is harvested
with efficient machines but in the end is exactly
the same as that produced by our grandparents.
There
is a system of traceability up to the point of sale.
The hay is weighed when harvested, the percentage
humidity checked and recorded, the constitution
of the stack described and recorded with the meadow
identification number, the date, cut and weight.
Hay
not from AOC pasture or hay that does not meet the
quality criteria is sold as downgraded hay.
Our
hay is sold in bales in France
and abroad price
on request
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