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Trip to 100th Anniversary of Maine-Anjou in France, 2008 - Gary & Sandy Graham

In September, we attended the centenary of the Maine-anjou breed in France. We met up with a group of 10 other Maine breeders from Australia and New Zealand and were escorted by the general manager of the Maine-anjou Association. We were the only N. Americans on this tour. We visited 3 separate shows as well as farms, an AI centre, a bull test centre and a research centre for twinning within the Maine-anjou breed. The first show was a double muscle show which had 5 different breeds. Steers that were shown were in the 2000 to 2400lb range as well as mature cows. The second show was a major cattle show with Maine-anjou being the premier breed. At this show there was about a dozen 3000+lb bulls shown with mature cows and a large number of yearling and 2 year olds. We also visited the huge agriculture show at Rennes called SPACE which has been in existence for 22 years. This is a major show and was first class. This is a show which certainly shows the importance of agriculture in France. To our knowledge there is nothing like it in Canada. The breed has taken on the new name of Rouge des Pres and the meat has become a branded line of beef under Maine-anjou. It sells for 50 cents/lb more than other beef. The only thing that we could see a difference on is that these animals are guaranteed to be fed grain for the last 60 days before slaughter. Mature butcher cows that would weigh about 2000lbs are worth $3500 to butcher, the same would go for a 3 year old steer and 16 month bulls for slaughter are $2000. It was a real treat to drive through the country and see red and white cows in this field and that field and sometimes everywhere you looked. The French are still purists in cattle breeding in that very little cross-breeding is done. Charolais are still the largest breed by number but Maine-anjou are the largest breed by size. What a treat to go into these herds and experience such docile cattle. This was one of the selling features of this breed from the beginning. Gary was at 2 farms that he was on thirty some years ago, which was a real treat. He recognized the people right away. He also met up with the man who worked with the herd book in the early 70’s who guided Gary around. This was also a great experience, and one of his first comments regarded the names of 2 other people that were with me at that time. He had not forgotten the 3 or us in all these years. While visiting these farms there was a real difference in the 2 ways of breeding these cattle which are double muscling and flat muscling. Somehow breeders figure that they are making more money with the double muscle factor. Of course this can all be tested through DNA. For us and the Australians the double muscle thing is out of the question. However, the flat muscle cattle which we saw were absolute beauties. There are so many cows that are powerful, feminine and almost perfect, it was just a pleasure to see. Many of the cattle that are taken to shows are not exactly what us Canadians would take, however when you visit the farms one is very impressed. The bull test centre we visited is very comprehensive. Of 4250 bull calves there are 100 selected on computer and 30 to 35 selected by breeders based on weaning weight. This group is narrowed down and then there are two auctions in the year for breeders, with four bulls from the progeny test going into their breeder’s catalogue. The twinning research centre has been going for 20 years and will be sold off in the next year. They have done extensive research on this and the females that were there were exceptional. The herd book office has changed from Chateau Gontier to the farm site where the first Maine-anjou was born. It is a beautiful property located close to a huge castle that is still lived in by the people who donated the building site. There is a lot of work to be done but it will be a real showpiece when restored as it is over a hundred years old.All in all, the French Maine-anjou breeders are content with their market and manage to make a good living. All the beef produced from this breed is consumed in France. It seems that they are not overly aggressive in exporting their cattle, however Belgians were buying live cattle when we were there. To import embryos from France is quite expensive and to select a bull and collect him is also very expensive. It was good to see that Maine-anjou are still thriving and that there is much interest and activity within the breed.