It was only upon closing Europe’s principal livestock show, that the organisers first began to smile thanks to an exhibition that was less catastrophic than that expected. In total, 72,000 visitors came to the show this year, representing a small reduction, compared to the previous year, of “only” 17% in attendance figures.
“We were fearing the worst”, explained Fabrice Berthon, the SOMMET DE L’ELEVAGE Show Manager. “Cattle are the essence of the SOMMET and their complete absence (the first time this has occurred in 24 years of the show), due to the outbreaks of Blue Tongue Virus, was a real loss for the show. This situation must never happen again,” he stressed.
“This year’s show will not be the best vintage, but and in spite of the economic and the livestock health context, the SOMMET has finally resisted well”, added Jacques Chazalet, President of the show. Turning to the exhibitors, they were generally more than satisfied as sales, during the show, appear not to have unduly suffered from this difficult context. “The SOMMET DE L’ELEVAGE has a solid base and our 1,400 exhibitors were well aware that they could still do business during the show.
Livestock farmers too, despite the economic and livestock health context, have a desire to continue to prepare the future, without hiding from the difficult realities, by investing and innovating.
Initial feedback from exhibitors, in particular those exhibiting farm machinery, has been quite positive. Though the stark reality would suggest that fewer business contacts were made during the show, the quality of those contacts was in progression, which is a very good sign,” so added the President of the SOMMET.
As for the show’s legendary warmth, it was present as usual and enabled both visitors and exhibitors to, in spite of the context, to have a successful 24th edition of the show.
International: A positive result
Roger Blanc, the SOMMET’s founder President and henceforward Manager of the show’s international development spent 3 very intensive days: “We were expecting a significant increase in the number of international visitors. In the end, close on 3,600 international visitors from over 75 countries made the trip to Clermont-Ferrand, signifying a small reduction of less than 10% compared to 2014”. In spite of everything, several new countries, such as Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Estonia, Finland, Costa Rica, Panama and even Saudi Arabia were represented. Many foreign delegations made the most of their visit to acquire some French genetics (dairy and beef cattle breeds’ semen, plus also that of sheep and goats) and farm machinery”.
The farm visits, significantly reinforced for the occasion, compensated, in part, the absence of cattle at the show, and helped to maintain the show’s strong momentum.
International visitors, highly satisfied with the programme that was specifically and exclusively organised for them, were able to discover and learn about the herds and flocks in their environment with no fewer than 52 farm visits organised (a world record!) thanks to the mobilisation of the livestock farmers and the professional organisations.
Sheep pole – a result falling short of expectations
Despite the difficult livestock health context with only 60% of animals present, the number of visitors to the sheep pole was identical to that of previous years. The asserted will of the genetic selection organisations was to be present at the show, for 2 reasons: to display the excellence of French sheep genetics and to maintain the privileged occasion, that the SOMMET DE L’ELEVAGE represents, for exchanges with national and international buyers.
The breeds that were unable to come to the SOMMET DE L’ELEVAGE were, nevertheless, highly visible to international visitors due to the numerous farm visits that were organised for their benefit.
For the first time, the sheep pole enabled visitors to discover sheep dogs with the presentation of several French working dog breeds.
This year, the accent was placed on innovation to show to the younger generations that the sheep industry is a modern and dynamic industry.
For Michèle Boudoin, President of the French National Sheep Federation, it is a result that fell short of expectations but full of hope for the future “We are grateful to the farmers to have made the effort to maintain the presentation of their livestock in spite of the circumstances. We have shown that we are capable of adapting”.
Equine pole – strong visitor numbers
Always very well visited, the equine pole assembled 330 horses and 120 breeders representing the entire Massif Central area. The restructuration of the site was very satisfactory allowing unhindered circulation of the public and animals and improved visibility of the presentation of livestock and judging.
For Gilles Gapihan, Equine Commissioner, the result is more than positive, “With numerous animal presentations and a very high quality in the equine judging, the public were present in number and the rings were always full”.
Next year’s show dates: 5-6-7 October 2016
After this year’s show that was disrupted by the Blue Tongue Virus, the show’s organisers are already thinking ahead to 2016. “Our ambition for 2016 is to be even better! It is why this 25th year of the SOMMET DE L’ELEVAGE is an important anniversary and which will see the return of all beef cattle judging to the Zénith d’Auvergne’s concert hall, a magnificent setting which will also welcome the Charolais breed National Championships” concludes Show President Jacques Chazalet.
Giving an additional dimension to the event.
