After a rather subdued edition last year, the Sommet de l’élevage has welcomed its cattle back, and, in turn, is back in fine form, with 120 000 expected visitors, 2 000 animals and 1 800 exhibitors. The show, which opened its doors this morning, will run until Friday, 9 October, in Cournon-d'Auvergne, in Puy-de-Dôme, as usual.
The “world’s leading sustainable livestock farming event” is going big this year: activities focused on pastoralism, a hub dedicated to animal health or even a park dedicated to agricultural machinery expanded by 10 000m2. Making the Summit the largest gathering of agricultural equipment in France. Exhibitors now have a dedicated area for demonstrating new products.
The sheep section is as dynamic as ever at the Summit 2026! Credit: D. Séailles
The Bizet breed, the flagship of the sheep section
No fewer than 600 sheep and 36 sheep breeds are represented at the Summit this year. Parade of breeds, national competitions and demonstrations on livestock farming techniques will take place over these four days in the sheep ring, complemented by shearing demonstrations and a wool competition. For the first time, the Bizet breed will hold its national competition on Friday 9 October.
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It is the flagship sheep breed of this edition of the show, one of the hardiest breeds in the Massif Central. Around sixty ewes and around ten breeders are expected there. Adiscovery day of the Ovinpiades, dedicated to young learners, will take place on Thursday, 8 October, with various activities designed to introduce them to sheep farming.
Pastoralism in the spotlight
International Year of Pastoralism being the reason, the Summit is decked out in its colors this year more than ever. For their third edition, the Rencontres pasto offer a series of thirty conferences, as well as a space of 300 m2, entirely dedicated to promoting pastoralism and pastoral routes.
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The Meetings take place in 2026 a international turning point, with five invited countries: Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Spain, Mongolia and Sudan. Recognizing pastoralism as a production activity, facilitating dialogue among stakeholders, promoting an ambitious policy… are among the objectives pursued by these Meetings.
Livestock farming comes to the city
“You don’t see that every day Place de Jaude ,” exclaims a young woman, accompanied by her grandmother. The two women from Clermont are among the few hundred people who wander through the “Pâture” space dedicated to grass-based livestock farming, Place de Jaude, in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand. This year, the Livestock Summit is making a foray into the city centre, with an area of 3000 m2 covered in grass, including 150 m2 of authentic natural grassland taken from the Massif Central.
A miniature Massif Central was created on Place de Jaude, in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand. Credit: D. Séailles.
The goal: to recreate the diversity of the landscapes of the Massif Central in miniature. A way to raise awareness among the people of Clermont-Ferrand ancillary services provided by ruminant livestock farming. On the occasion of the inauguration of this exceptional space, city dwellers were able to admire the cattle and sheep breeds iconic in the region. A flock of 30 Rava is present throughout the week, with demonstrations of herding dogs and guided tours by schoolchildren.