The Gercela : A professional organisation of Charolais genetics cattle- breeders registered at the Herd-Book Charolais, owners of the best stocks in their native land.
Group of breeders of the best lines of Charolais cattle enrolled in the HBC
An association of Charolais cattle-breeders from the Loire and Allier ,ideally situated at the very heart of France, the Gercela was founded in 1962 by Jean Bernigaud, also founder of the car-racing circuitF1 in Nevers Magnicours. It was the first cattle-breeders association to be officially recognised in 1965.
Several presidents have followed Jean Bernigaud’s steps:
Mr PIOTON Léon
Mr BOMPY Marc
Mr DOSSON Claude
Mr RAYMOND Albert
et Mr RAYMOND Jean-Christian, present president of the Gercela.
The first auction- sale of breeders was organised by the Gercela in 1962 at the Marault “ an allusion to the future”. Since then , numerous auction-sales have been held there every year with prestigious animals reaching very high prices as they are regularly rewarded with many championship prizes such as “Prix d’Honneur” in different famous competitions.
Numerous cattle –farmers have been judges in high-ranking competitions all over the world:
England at the Royal Show
Eire in Dublin and Tullamore
Northern Ireland in Belfast
Spain in Madrid at the Feria del Campo.
Portugal at the Show of Santarem
Brazil in Estéio
Argentina, Italy, Germany, Belgium, South Africa and many others...
President Albert Raymond, a member of the GIA wants to reinforce the national and international image of the present site together with the main shareholder, the Charolais Herd-Book whose members represent the different regions of France as well as many other countries.
At the moment, the association counts 60 members owning 6500 cows, all carefully selected with famous bulls such as the exceptional Erckmann ,which won the highest reward, the “Super Prix d’Honneur”in Moulins.
