The Rural Voice, 2003-09, Page 21"We worked very closely with
several (European) Limousin
breeders," he says. "We spent the last
three years getting to know these
people and the ins and outs of their
industry."
Which led to a side benefit of the
job — a nine -day trip by Geddes and
Anthony to Europe last February.
"We toured all of France seeking out
these bulls. We'd go and see two and
three and four-year-old daughters in
production and then we'd go and see
sons. We actually toured these farms
and then selected bulls we felt would
complement the North American
type of cow."
They were able to attend two
cattle shows, including one in Paris.
"We were exposed to most of the
leading breeders in the country. We
were able to see what type of cattle
each breeder had and from that chose
whether we did a farm visit."
As well as learning about the
Limousin breed's home
territory, there were lessons
in European agriculture in general.
"It was incredible just to see the beef
industry and how it works and how
different it is over there," Geddes
says. "For starters, they're heavily
subsidized on their farm buildings."
They also receive a yearly subsidy
for each cow in their herd.
The trade in semen and embryos
has not been all one way. "We' v e
developed relationships through
marketing embryos and semen back
to France and the U.K.," Geddes
says. Some producers are interested
in the polled gene that has been
introduced into North American
Limousins. Some French producers
are worrying that animal welfare
concerns might eventually prohibit
dehorning and want to get ahead of
the issue by breeding cattle with no
horns. -
"Europe is still all full -blood,"
Geddes explains, "so we've been
able to export some polled full -blood
semen and embryos."
Trips to Europe to buy and sell
genetics; farm visitors from all over
North America; a farm -branded meat
marketing program — it's all pretty
heady stuff for a farm that started out
in a small way just a decade ago.
Maybe it's the view that encourages
management and staff to look well
beyond the farm gate.0
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SEPTEMBER 2003 17