The National Aubrac Competition, National Charollais Sheep Competition and
Interregional Holstein Competition will be the highlights of the 2008 show.
National Aubrac Competition : over the past 10 years, the Aubrac breed has experienced a major
quantitative and geographic expansion (54,000 cattle registered in 1988, 135,000 in 2007). The breed will
be holding its national competition at the SOMMET DE L´ELEVAGE, presenting its best 400 animals.
On the agenda: the different sections judged in the ring, an auction of prize bulls and heifers, presentation
of the genetic selection process of the breed etc.
National Charollais Sheep Competition : 120 animals will be present for this competition involving
the different sections, together with an overall prize and a male and female championship prize.
Interregional Holstein Competition : as the No. 1 forum
for dairy cattle in the south of France, the SOMMET will host
the grand interregional competition of the leading French dairy
breed. Organised by the Federation of Holstein Breeders of the
Massif Central region, this competition will present 150 animals
and two guest regions: Rhône-Alpes and Midi-Pyrénées.
This year, the SOMMET DE L´ELEVAGE will equip all the rings
with big screens to provide spectators with a better view of the competitions
A confirmed international dimension
Pursuing its strategy of foreign development, the SOMMET DE L´ELEVAGE increases its foreign contingent a little more every year. In total, 350 international exhibitors from 30 countries and more than 2,000 international visitors from 60 countries are expected in 2008. Following Brazil, Mexico, Poland and China, Romania will be the guest of honour at this 17th edition of the show with numerous Romanian delegations invited, a special programme of visits, seminars, etc.
New: a reception area dedicated to international visitors
In order to provide an even better international reception, the SOMMET DE L´ÉLEVAGE has entrusted ADEPTA (Association for the Development of International Exchanges in Agricultural and Agrifood Products and Techniques) with the task of managing a reception area entirely dedicated to foreign delegations. Located on the mezzanine in Hall 1, close to the VIP lounge, it will provide foreign visitors with information and a personalised reception, while offering guided tours of the show. The list of foreign delegations will be available and any exhibitors who are interested can make appointments and leave their business cards or messages for these delegations.
Even more tours of livestock breeding farms
Located at the heart of the livestock farming area, in the cradle of the great European breeds of beef cattle, the SOMMET offers foreign visitors the chance to visit farms and meet the breeders. Since they were launched, the tours have remained as popular as ever. This year, the show has scheduled visits of farms with Charolais, Limousin, Aubrac, Salers, Holstein and Montbéliarde cattle breeds as well as sheep-breeding units and an insemination centre. In total, about ten tours will be organised over the 3 days. These half-day tours are free and accompanied by a technician and a guide/interpreter.
Dairy cattle (Hall 2) The dairy cattle hall will host the most important Holstein event of the year in France, with the grand interregional competition between the Massif Central, Rhône-Alpes and Midi-Pyrénées regions. Also on the programme: - The interregional competitions of the Montbéliarde, Brown Swiss, Simmental, Normande, Tarentaise and Abondance breeds. - Auctions of prize Holstein, Brown Swiss and Simmental heifers. - A presentation of the Pie Rouge des Plaines and Jersey breeds.
Sheep (Hall 2) In addition to the national Charollais competition, more than 300 sheep will be presented this year at the SOMMET, representing a total of 26 breeds of sheep. The hardy breeds (Blanc du Massif Central, Rava, Noire du Velay, Grivette, Limousine and Bizet) and the grazing breeds (Texel, Suffolk, Ile de France, Hampshire etc.) will be well represented.
Horses (Horse arena – Hall 4) The SOMMET DE L´ELEVAGE is the leading forum for heavy horses in France. For the second year running, the 9 breeds of draught horse on show will be accompanied by French and Anglo-Arab saddle horses (about fifty animals). In total, over 300 horses from 30 French departments (8 French regions) will be on show. The Breton, Percheron, Ardennais, Comtois and Auxois breeds will be presented in interregional competitions. Harness competitions, herding dog demonstrations and presentations of donkeys will also be held in the horse arena.
Beef cattle (Hall 3) As the leading European forum for beef cattle, the SOMMET continues to present the best of French and European breeds. Entirely devoted to beef cattle, Hall 3 will host the national Aubrac competition together with all the beef cattle breeds present. - Interregional competitions for the Charolais, Limousin, Blonde d´Aquitaine, Salers and Gasconne breeds. - Presented for the first time, the Rouge des Prés (Maine Anjou) and Bazadaise breeds. - Presentation of the Piemontese (Italy) and Belgian Blue (Belgium) breeds. - Presentation of the CORAM (Local Mountain Breeds Collective) breeds. Born of the 2007 SOMMET DE L´ELEVAGE, this collective will present the 22 mountain breeds which it represents.