A farm for two brothers: preparing for handover

“It’s a family story, a story of generations, a whole heritage that we’re bequeathing to our children.”

Raphaël Favre, milk producer at Le Crêtt

In 2008, Raphaël Favre inherited his father's farm, which was initially operated by his grandfather. Milk production was then the main activity on the estate, which expanded when he entered into partnership with a colleague whose children were not planning to take over the business. The farm is a promising operation: not only are the results good enough to support the Favre family, which has 3 children born between 2002 and 2008, but it is also now big enough to be passed on to his two sons: “Our daughter is about to start an apprenticeship as a farmer, but she wants to move into agronomy afterwards,” explains Raphaël.

An early turning point

While the future is rosy, the Favres have not been spared from tragedy: in 2012, a fire ravaged part of their farm, killing 27 animals in its wake. “It was both a trauma and a turning point for us as it posed the big question of whether to rebuild or not. We had to decide on the children’s future much earlier than expected. Despite their young age, they confirmed their interest in the farm and have never wavered since,” says Raphaël. The new building symbolises the family’s determination, its gamble on the future and the shared passion for working with animals and the land.

Two is better than one

Aged 22, Éric is preparing to gain his federal in-service farming certificate in 2025. As for his younger brother Romain, he is at the end of his farming apprenticeship. By his own admission, Romain, less academic than his brother, has little interest in administrative matters. In any case, the management of the farm will be mainly in the hands of Éric to begin with. The brothers are both hard workers, conscientious and willing, and not afraid of their new responsibilities. Each has his own qualities: Éric is great with the machines, while Romain excels with the animals. So, with their complementary skills and paternal heritage, they are due to take over the farm in about ten years. “It’s a family story, a story of generations, a whole heritage that we’re bequeathing to our children,” rejoices Raphaël, who plans to carry on working for a while as his sons’ employee.

“Our country needs milk!”

The two brothers make no secret of their unbreakable bonds, woven by an existence where everything unites them: “We have the same daily life, the same memories,” says Éric. And Romain continues: “Getting away from the farm for 2 or 3 days is fine; any longer than that and boredom sets in.” At this stage, their joint plan in the medium term is to replace a temporary structure set up after the fire for young livestock. As for the future of milk production, they remain confident: “Our country needs milk and we are proud to contribute to a noble product like Le Gruyère AOP,” replies Eric, who, like his father and brother, is averse to having robotic milking, in order to preserve the link with the animals. Raphaël enthusiastically describes a recent visit to the farm by English cheese sellers: They assured us that King Charles III has a great weakness for Le Gruyère AOP du Crêt!” “, he smiles.