The SICA milk cooperative organised an open day on the jobs of breeder and producer. That was the opportunity for our team to meet Jean-François and Iréna Payet who made us discover their breeding stock in Bourg Murat. .

This is no hazard if the SICA chose the Payets’ farm to organize an open day. Thanks to a production of 276 000 litres of milk in 2005, it stands as one of the most fast-developing farms of Reunion Island. It is the fruit of eight years of intensive work and considerable investments.
Iréna and her husband Jean-François, who settled in Bourg Murat on the heights of Le Tampon in 1996, have now 35 dairy cows. Irena confides to us: “The price of a cow is 2 000 € on average. We save up, we sometimes go without in order to buy ourselves another animal when we feel like it. We have brown cows from the Alps. We prefer them to black and white spotted cows. They are more docile and more friendly. As it is, our approach depends on our likings.” And for sure, Irena is devoted to her job.

Wife for milk and husband for meat

In this farm, the lady is in charge of the milk. Every morning, she wakes up at 5.30 am. Her daily round consists in the hay, the milking, the feeding, the silage-making, the cleaning, taking the cows out, the hay and the milking again.
« My days are full. No week-ends, no holidays, breeding is a full-time activity!”. » . But that does not seem to disturb her much
Their house is on the premises. A major advantage for this mother. Jean-François, who is always near, adds: “Anyway, we are mad about our job.” Jean-François Payet comes from a family where they’ve been breeders for generations. For his part, he takes care of 40 animals for slaughter. « I breed suckling calfs from Limousin cattle. Eight months later, I send them to the SICA REVA which deals with the slaughtering." Indeed, there is no question of him putting his cattle to death.
Not only Jean-François and Iréna have a passion for their job but they are also very proud of their farm. “We started to rear cattle in a wooden cowshed with a sheet metal roof.” Today, their farm consists of a cowshed, a storehouse for the forage, a 32 little cell-building, a 28 cell-building for heifers.

Cheerful kids

Iréna and Jean-François have two children: Karine, 10 and Ludovic, 13. " I really hope that Ludo will take over the family business. He’s really into tractors ! " exclaims an amused Jean-François. Karine loves to live among the animals. Farandole, Chichi, Lala, Nina and the inevitable Marguerite. The girl knows every one of them and recognize them at a glance: " One of my favourites is La Grise, its milk tastes like coconut.”
Karine leaps about across fields. Later, she wants to be a veterinary surgeon. When she spots a dead chick in the middle of the meadow, she asks: “Can we try to reanimate it with electricity!?” No doubts about her vocation.

The SICA milk cooperative in a few figures Set up in 1962, this cooperative gathers regroupe 99 % of Reunion Island’s breeders. 135 farms The SICA milk cooperative covers 4 areas for collection in the highlands (Plaine des Cafres, Saint Joseph , hauts de l'Ouest et Plaine des Palmistes) 3 collections a week 22.6 Million Euros turnover 23 847 051 litres 60 employees For more than 40 years, the CILAM (Compagnie Laitières des Mascareignes) has been working for the development of consumption of dairy products in Reunion Island. In that way, it has forged strong links with the SICA. Today, the CILAM and its subsidiaries use 90% of the milk that comes from the SICA, that is 70 000 litres milk on average, collected and delivred daily to the CILAM. Milk sold to two transformers: CILAM (Yoplait, Candia, Piton des Neiges) and SORELAIT (Danone)

Enjoy fresh milk ! If you happen to be near Bourg Murat some time around 6 am or 6 pm (time for milking), you don’t need to think twice about it! Go and knock at Iréna Payet’s door. She will be delighted to give you a bottle of fully freshed milk. Access : At the Maison du volcan roundabout, turn left (between the two mini-markets) and go straight accross the pastures. The Payets’farm will be on your right.

Texts and photos : Laurène Mazier