U.S. Delegation to participate in the Golden Autumn Forum

October 10, 2012

There is perhaps no more vivid an image of American culture than of the cowboy and his cattle on the open range of the American West. That imagery is now commonly seen on Russian ranches thanks to very important trade and investment between U.S. and Russian ranches. The Golden Autumn Forum takes place in Moscow from October 11-14 at the All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVC). A delegation of 17 American ranchers and industry representatives will attend the Golden Autumn show. During the exhibition, American cowboy Darrell Stevenson will meet fellow Montana native U.S. Ambassador McFaul and show him the U.S. cattle he is raising in Russia.

The United States is Russia’s number one supplier of live, pedigreed cattle and livestock genetics for breeding. U.S. exports of live animals and animal genetics are expected to reach $200 million in 2012. Russian livestock breeders closely cooperate with U.S. breeding associations and companies and regularly visit U.S. dairy and beef cattle farms. In fact, many of them are convinced that U.S. cattle productivity, weather and climate conditions, as well as the production technologies and farm sizes make U.S. cattle the most adaptable cattle to Russia. U.S. livestock breeders and companies are not only selling their high quality stock to Russia, but also provide management services and training courses including feeding, veterinary and other educational seminars and courses.

Golden Autumn is the largest national and international forum for agricultural technologies, animal genetics, feeds, and machinery for the Russian agricultural sector. The show is held in conjunction with Russian Agricultural Week and is hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2010, U.S. live cattle were premiered at the show and in 2011, the Governor of Kansas visited the show to support U.S. genetics and other livestock related sales. This year, there will be a delegation of 17 American ranchers and industry representatives at the Golden Autumn show.

Total U.S. agricultural exports to Russia in 2011 were valued at $1.3 billion. Of that, the fastest growing sector was live animals -- with sales of over 19,000 head during that period – a record high.

To read more about the Golden Autumn forum in Russian, please see the website: http://www.goldenautumn.ru/en/.