U.S. cattle and livestock producers interested in keeping up with their industry in other parts of the world first-hand should consider a visit to one of the world’s largest and best run annual livestock events, the Sommet De L’Elevage (Livestock Summit) in Clermont-Ferrand, France held the first week in October.
I can attest from first-hand experience as the first American farm journalist to ever attend the Sommet a few years ago, the people in this major agricultural region of France are very welcoming to American visitors. I’ve had the opportunity to tour global seed company operations nearby, and to get to know European farm journalists from several other countries. Several of the cattle producers I’ve become friends with through the years have climbed their industry ranks to become top leaders in the the French equivalent of our National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
The three-day Sommet, and the days leading up to it, offers many farm tours and other opportunities to make contacts with cattle producers, buyers and sellers of livestock and product vendors from dozens of different countries globally, all in one place at one time. Clermont-Ferrand is well-positioned to explore more of Europe while in the region if you can take the time to do so.
Anyone with questions or wanting to know more about the Sommet- De L’Elevage can contact me directly at Gary@AgNetMedia.com. I’m more than happy to share some “local knowledge” about the event and the region, especially if you’re a serious U.S. cattle producer who likes to meet leading cattle producers elsewhere.
The 28th SOMMET DE L’ELEVAGE will be held from 2 to 4 October 2019 at Clermont-Ferrand in France. Once again, over 1,500 exhibitors, 2,000 animals and 95,000 farm-industry visitors will converge on this big-ticket event that counts among the world’s biggest livestock shows.
