Showing the strength is back in the international show circuit the 2022 Sommet held in France marked the full return of international visitors to the event
Billed as the world’s most sustainable livestock show the 2022 Sommet held on the d’Auvergne showgrounds in Clermont-Ferrand France attracted the most visitors the event has ever seen, with over 100,000 in attendance.
Judging highlights for livestock at the 2022 the year’s show included entries from the Charolais breed National Championships, and a record number of technical conferences and new release farm equipment also on display.
The 2022 Sommet marks the return of international visitors to the international show circuit with an attendance comparable of that of 2019, the last time the show was able to receive all foreign delegations.
There was real enthusiasm from foreign visitors delighted to be back in the International Lounge. There were over 5,000 foreign visitors from more than 80 countries.
The 100,000 plus visitor level was surpassed
The organisers of the Sommet de l’Élevagewere smiling broadly at the end of the 4th day of the show as the 31st edition could not have finished any better.
“The objective has been more than achieved” Fabrice Berthon, the show’s General Manager, was delighted to tell us, “105,000 visitors including 5,000 international visitors have strolled down the show’s aisles.
“We should highlight the excellent livestock judging at this year’s Sommet including the Charolais breed with its National Championships that was of the highest quality, plus a record number of technical conferences,” this particularly pleased Jacques Chazalet, the Sommet’s President.
For the 1,521 exhibitors at the show, this 31st edition was one to particularly savour as several big contracts were signed over the course of the four days and the atmosphere was particularly upbeat and friendly.
The Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers) AfterCow rave was an enormous success. For Fabrice Berthon, “It was the first time that this event has been organised, and it was a memorable first as it attracted 5,000 partygoers.”
Just like the evening sponsored by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region that attracted 1,500 people, allowing exhibitors and farmers some downtime to meet and talk over a convivial glass of wine.
International visitors are back
2022 marked the return of international visitors with an attendance in excess of that of 2019, the last time the show was able to receive all foreign delegations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Benoît Delaloy, the Sommet’s International Manager, “This edition has been one of meeting up with old friends again. There was real enthusiasm from foreign visitors delighted to be back in the International Lounge. With over 5,000 foreign visitors from more than 80 countries.”
For 2022, the Sommet’S guest of honour was Mongolia, and it was an enormous success due to the very strong links that have been forged over several years in preparation for the event.
The Sommet de l’Élevage hosted over 1500 exhibitors with both livestock and machinery across indoor and outdoor pavilions
“It was a slickly run operation from start to finish, with many very tangible events including visits to livestock farms, conferences, the exhibition of two yaks and a Mongolian yurt, demonstrations of Mongolian cuisine and the presence of the Mongolian Minister of Agriculture. All in all, it was a great showcase for Mongolia to the world.”
Other highlights included the International Livestock Evening that attracted between 300 and 400 spectators, and the European Hereford Congress that interested approximately 100 Hereford farmers from 10 different countries.
“All the delegates were elated; they were able to visit Hereford farms and discover the city of Clermont-Ferrand and its surrounds. This congress signalled the recognition of the French Hereford Breed Society and included a rich exchange of ideas and rearing methods.
“The impulsion from this year’s excellent show and the dense program specially concocted for our international visitors should lead to even more foreign delegates next year.”
“The 2023 Sommet will be the venue for the national championships of two very popular international cattle breeds, the Limousin in the main Zenith beef ring and in the milk cattle ring, the Brown Swiss,” concludes Bruno Dufayet, President of APRAMAC, the association that organises the livestock judging during the SOMMET.
Highlighting the World Year of Pastoralism
The 2022 event has among other things, been able to inform both the livestock industry and companies that 2026 has been declared as the World Year of Pastoralism and Pastures.
“Everybody seems to agree that the highpoint of 2026 should be at the Sommet de l’Élevage with numerous events planned around the World Pastoralism theme,” as Fabrice Berthon suggests.
Fully conscious of its responsibility and actively implicated in these areas, the Sommet has pinpointed sustainability as the number one ambition for tomorrow’s agriculture by promoting all advancement and innovations that have the goal of preserving Nature and People.
Plan now to be at the Sommet de l’Élevage 2023 when it is expected there will be 1,600 exhibitors and close to 110,000 visitors.
The 2023 show will host both the Limousin and Brown Swiss breeds National Championships. Save the date: 3 to 6 October 2023. Booking can be made here.
