In June, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to France and visit dairy farms. I was part of a group of U.S. farmers, and it was eye-opening to see a different side of dairy farming in Europe. We traveled by train, plane and automobile, and saw farms from the Eastern side of the country, near the Alps, to Brittany (whose geography is similar to Wisconsin’s) and even to Normandy, where we also had the chance to visit the beaches and cemetery, an incredible experience in itself.
Of course we tasted some delicious cheeses, including Comté. Comté is the most highly produced of French specialty cheeses, and there are many strict regulations for its production, including the type of cow that must produce the milk, how many cows can graze on an acre of land, and what they eat. The French take their cheese just as seriously as we do here in Wisconsin, and it was wonderful to taste the results.
Most of the farms in France are smaller, and overall the country reminds me of how Wisconsin dairies looked about 30 years ago. Many farmers milk between 60 and 80 cows, and the countryside is beautiful.
We visited a couple of larger farms, too, where the farmers are having some growing pains and struggling to help consumers understand their business. In a global economy, these farmers know they need to grow in order to survive, but it’s not easy. It was good to talk with those farmers, share stories and find common ground. The whole trip really made me appreciate the incredible farming community and infrastructure we have in Wisconsin, with everything from feed mills to veterinarians.
The European Union has a different system than the U.S.: there are different labor laws, and an entirely different labor market. The EU just came off the quota system on April 1, which had caused uncertainty for farmers. There are also strict limits on agricultural land. Once land is deemed agricultural it can only be sold to other farmers, not to private buyers for development. This preserves the land, and makes its value based on production and commodity cost. A very interesting contrast to our open market.
Despite all the differences, French and U.S. farmers have a lot in common. We all care for our animals, take pride in our product, and value the beautiful land that is part of our heritage. I’m looking forward to welcoming some of the farmers we met back here at Majestic Crossing Dairy, and letting them taste some Wisconsin cheese.
