What types of farming were important in different parts of Burgundy?

Agriculture in Burgundy is highly varied, with specific practices adapted to the region's diverse geography. The following types of farming are prominent across different areas:1

• Livestock Farming: Beef cattle are primarily raised in the upland areas of Nièvre and the western part of Saône-et-Loire, a region noted as the origin of the Charolais breed. In the eastern parts of the region, dairy cattle farming is more common.1
• Cereal Farming: Large-scale cereal farming is practiced extensively in the northern portion of Côte-d’Or and in Yonne.1
• Viticulture: Burgundy is world-renowned for its vineyards, particularly along the lower slopes of the Côte-d’Or, which house the celebrated Beaune and Nuits wine districts. Additionally, the Yonne valley is known for producing fine wines, most notably in the area of Chablis.1

Historically, the region also utilized specific fodder crops to support its agricultural output; for instance, a crop known as Burgundy grass was cultivated in the area toward the end of the 16th century to maintain soil fertility.2