The stampede came and went, leaving Miami-Dade County with another successful Miami International Agriculture & Cattle Show. More than 50,000 people attended the second annual event, held from March 20 to March 22 at Tropical Park. The show featured 400 head of cattle from ranchers from Florida, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee – all of which competed and were on display for international, national and local livestock breeders and buyers. In addition, the Homestead Plant Exhibition, nursery, and ornamental-plant trade expo opened its doors to the public for the first time displaying a large selection of landscaping plants, fruit and vegetable trees available for sale at wholesale prices.     

“My goal was to make this year’s Agriculture & Cattle Show an even bigger success than last year’s, and I can safely say we exceeded expectations,” said Commissioner Souto. “We managed to sanction the Brahman Point Cattle Show, which is highly unusual for a second year event. We also had officials from several Latin American countries join us after they heard of the event’s success last year. The Ambassador and the Consul of Argentina, the Consul of Peru, and the Consul of Spain were in attendance.  Most of the cattlemen commented that this was the most successful and well attended cattle show in the United States this year.   The Agriculture & Cattle Show is already on its way to becoming a tradition in Miami-Dade for years to come.”

When County Commissioner Javier Souto conceived the idea of Miami-Dade County hosting an international cattle show in order to promote agriculture - Florida's second largest industry - and to promote Miami as the international trade gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, people thought it could not be done.  Now Miami is the talk of the national and international cattle circuit and a rising star in the world of Agriculture and Cattle shows.

The three-day event offered equestrian shows, live music, pony rides, food, and activities for all ages. There were educational seminars and workshops for both the cattle and horticulture/agriculture industries where representatives covered a wide range of topics including herd health programs, important cattle diseases, and import/export processes. Programs for consumers were also available to discuss grafting, vegetable gardening, landscape pests, alternative plants, and more. Presentations were made by educators from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), import/export professionals, and international professionals from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Additionally, guests were also treated to a special performance – “Cómo bailan los caballos andaluces" ("How Andalusian horses dance") – an authentic equestrian ballet staged on the typical choreography taken from the reprises of the classical and country dressage with Spanish music that is performed according to the custom of the eighteenth century.

 “Currently Miami-Dade County ranks second in the nation for green bean production and foliage production, second largest in the state for agriculture production with an economic impact of $2.7 billion and 39th in the nation for overall agriculture production. With these statistics, it is a natural fit to host a show of this magnitude to help the local industry increase foreign business, specifically with Caribbean nations, Canada, and countries in Central and South America,” said Charles LaPradd, Agricultural Manager for Miami-Dade County.

“The Agriculture & Cattle Show is proving to be a source of revenue for the County, as representatives from the agriculture industry worldwide travel here to purchase cattle, horses, genetic materials, tractors, trucks, and other equipment,” added Commissioner Souto.  “Next year, we hope to add a cattle auction to the event schedule.”

For more information on the Miami International Agriculture & Cattle Show, please visit the website at www.miamicattleshow.com. 

Left Photo: Miami-Dade County Commissioner poses with “Doc Senator #1,” a three-day-old calf named in his honor, at the 2nd Annual Miami International Agriculture & Cattle Show. Right Photo: A young rancher expertly shows off cattle at the event. (Photos courtesy of the Office of Commissioner Javier Souto)