Özlem Agriculture is at the service of livestock industry for more than 35 years. Our ISO-9002 certification attests to the importance we place upon producing high-quality feeds in our continued activities. Entering into collaboration with Sourches Farm, well known in Europe for its research and innovations in animal nutrition and agriculture, represents an important milestone in our journey. This collaboration is also the first of its kind in Turkey. Sourches Research & Development Farm is an experimental center developing solutions for the agriculture and livestock industries.
Introduction to Sourches
Sourches Research & Development Farm is established in 1958 with a mission to become “the meeting point of farming and public”. Sourches Research & Development Farm is an indisputable authority, which is recognized all around the globe through its proven studies and trials in animal nutrition and husbandry for more than 60 years.
Sourches, is Europe’s first animal nutrition research and development farm. Having ISO 9001 certification, the farm conducts trials on all aspects of animal husbandry. The farm is conducting its applied research activities with a wide scope utilitarian approach to serve the industry. The research activities of Sourches at national, European and international scale are performed in close collaboration with:
- Basic research institutions
- Large food manufacturing companies
- Agri companies
- Universities
Sourches R&D Farm is an affiliate of Groupe Avril. Additionally, it provides solutions to French food producers and develops practical applications of the innovations and discoveries of Sanders, a world leader in animal nutrition, contributing highest quality feeds to the food chain. Sourches, tests new techniques and products in practical agriculture and livestock production conditions under the guidance and supervision of its expert teams, exercising utmost care and respecting the confidentiality of its clients.
All scientific discoveries and technological developments realized by Sourches are shared with farmers, agronomists, academia, students, stakeholders, institutes and opinion leaders of the media. Sourches established a sustainable system of information flow by means of organizing regular conferences, visits and training courses. The institution regards this transparent approach as a way of fulfilling its social responsibilities in vitally important fields affecting the well-being, resources and economies of individuals, and consequently of the society.
FARM TO FORK SOLUTIONS
Fields of interest of Sourches Research & Development Farm
Experience and Innovation
The efforts of Sourches Farm on technical and economic performance enhancement are aimed at reducing the production costs and improving the quality of animal and plant products. The farm systematically gives priority to respect for the environment and animal welfare in all its experimental activities. The research subjects are directly associated with field trials and agri-food chains.
Sanders research team is working on the following applied research areas:
• Constant technical and scientific monitoring;
• Meeting the expectations of and collaboration with the Groupe Glon team working in conjunction with the biggest companies of agri-food industry;
• Evaluation of the data gathered from all around France by field teams;
• Opinions and ideas presented by Sanders R&D Club (groups having specific knowledge on product basis)
The information about the food products and culture techniques submitted to Sanders, is studied and field tested in the course of the experimental stage before publication. Sanders’ network of partner farmers carry out the trials of these innovations in pilot farms spread across France, representing different local contexts and farming conditions. The feedback shared by these selected farmers is a source of constant inspiration and advancement for technicians and researchers.
Training
Sourches Farm is an establishment where information is transferred and shared. Agronomy students and farmers come here for apprenticeship and to reinforce their knowledge, obtaining information about farming practices in France.
Information
The findings of the research works conducted by Sourches is the subject matter of its publications and regular flow of information. These findings are made available by Sanders’ network through specific publications and applications. Sourches team remains in direct contact with the producers with frequent farm visits organized all over France.
Always in Search of the Better
Sourches takes it as its mission to always produce the best in the safest possible way, for the farmers, for the society and above all for the sustainability of nature. As an example, we can briefly mention two of the various issues the farm had to tackle in this context: After the emergence of problems related to the environment and to livestock production (BSE or mad cow disease, dioxin crisis, etc.), pushing the animals for outstanding performance assumed a negative image in the public opinion. Sourches acts as a mediator between farmers and the public to ensure equitable and responsible progress. Researchers tested the first exogenous phytases to enable monogastrics to digest phytate phosphorus in plants, and suggested the two-stage feeding concept. This feeding trend ensures a higher bio-availability of phosphorus and reduces nitrogen and phosphorus excretion to the environment, which are two of the main causes of water pollution. Following the ban on meat meal (PCB crisis of 2000) and the rise in grain prices (2007 - 2008), Sourches immediately suggested alternative performance enhancers to French farmers.