One is the technical program, which is the ag experiences.
In Spain, for example, this includes visits to local farms.
One farm produces beef from the Catalan Pyrenees (pictured above) – a breed resulting from a cross between the old native cow from the Catalan Pyrenean counties and the Alpine Brown breed.
“It is a breed intended for beef production and with excellent milk production for rearing calves,” the trip’s itinerary says. “Their food is based on grazing, complemented by hay or forage at certain periods. The resulting product is a meat with tones ranging from pinkish to bright red, infiltrated with intramuscular fat. It is a high-quality, very tender and juicy meat.
In Portugal, the ag excursions include visiting Altentejo, the country’s richest ag region.
This area of the country is known as the breadbasket of the country, containing almost half of Portugal’s farmland.
Farmers in the area produce about 75 per cent of the country’s wheat.
Visitors will also travel to a breeding farm, and meet with reps from local beef associations.
“The meetings will be great because we’ll hear about the issues the local associations deal with and be able to compare it to ours,” she said. “You put a bunch of ranchers together and they’re going to discuss everything from nutrition, genetics, and policy.”
The other component of the trip is the cultural program.
This is the sights, sounds, and food associated with the two European countries.
On the trip these include a winery visit and tasting in Portugal, and experiencing Tarraco (modern day Tarragona in Spain), which was the oldest Roman settlement in the Iberian Peninsula.
Spots for the trip will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
A $500 deposit is required to secure a spot.
Anyone looking for additional information can contact Lawrence Rowley with Leader Tours directly by email or at 1-844-370-7044, or 1-403-270-7044.
The full itinerary with pricing information is below.
