2026 will be a record year for Sardinia's presence at national events showcasing cattle and sheep farming. "2026 marks an important milestone for the entire Sardinian livestock system," emphasizes Luciano Useli Bacchitta, president of the Sardinian Regional Livestock Breeders' Association. "We're seeing the highest participation ever at these industry events. We're showcasing Sardinian farms and cattle and sheep, the fruit of extraordinary work done over the years on quality and genetic selection."

The numbers – There are 14 Charolais and Limousin cattle farms present, with 28 animals registered in national competitions, along with 10 Sardinian sheep farms, for a total of approximately 130 animals. This large, qualified, and competitive presence testifies to the sector's growth and its ability to revitalize even after a challenging year, bringing the best of Sardinian livestock to the sector's main showcases.

Fairs – The first event will be AgriUmbria in Bastia Umbra (March 27-29 ), one of the country's leading fairs, where Sardinian livestock farms will be featured in the Charolais and Limousin breed shows and sheep competitions. The season will then continue with the regional beef cattle show in Ozieri (April 11-12) and other scheduled events, including the important Arborea and Ollastra Fairs . This presence is also synonymous with quality. "Over the years," a press release states, "the island's livestock farmers have built a significant genetic improvement program, achieving significant results in national competitions and confirming the value of Sardinian production. This work has also been made possible thanks to the support of ANACLI and AARSardegna, which support the farms in their selection, promotion, and event participation."

Quality – Marco Marrone, director of the Sardinian Regional Livestock Breeders' Association , also highlighted the sector's overall value: "These events are opportunities for discussion and growth for the entire system. The quality of the animals presented and the record-breaking participation confirm the island's vibrant cattle and sheep sector, which continues to demonstrate competitiveness and innovation."

Coldiretti Sardegna - From health emergencies to record attendance at major trade fairs. "2026 marks a key turning point for the Sardinian livestock industry," a press release highlights, "which demonstrates the sector's ability to respond to challenges and relaunch itself forcefully, achieving the largest ever attendance of livestock farms and cattle and sheep at major national and regional events. This result comes after challenging months, particularly marked by the bovine dermatitis emergency, which farmers addressed with great responsibility and through teamwork involving institutions, veterinary services, and trade associations."

Coldiretti Sardegna and Assonapa have played a central role in this process, supporting companies and livestock associations in their ongoing dialogue with policymakers to ensure rapid and effective responses. "The trade fairs today represent the culmination of the extraordinary work done by livestock farmers," emphasizes Battista Cualbu, president of Coldiretti Sardegna and head of Assonapa . "Despite a difficult year, we have managed to maintain the high quality of cattle and sheep farming and to show up with record numbers at the main national events. This demonstrates the strength of the sector and the determination of our companies, which continue to invest and believe in the future."

Support – Alongside the work on the farms, the union and representation efforts carried out in recent months have also been crucial, with constant dialogue at institutional level. "We have closely followed all the most critical phases," emphasizes Luca Saba, director of Coldiretti Sardegna, "working at all institutional levels to support farmers. Significant results have been achieved on the bovine dermatitis front, allowing us to address and overcome the emergency quickly. At the same time, the latest discussions have also provided concrete signals regarding compensation, which is essential for navigating this new phase."

Anacli - Michele Filigheddu, regional representative of Anacli, agrees: "Participation in national fairs represents a crucial showcase for our sector. The results achieved in recent editions demonstrate that Sardinia has reached extremely high levels, thanks in part to the work on genealogy and the presence of many young breeders who are contributing to the sector's further growth. Behind these numbers," adds Filigheddu, "are sacrifices, professionalism, and a quality that is now recognized nationwide. This is where we must start again to continue to grow Sardinian livestock farming."

The future - A commitment that has not been limited to the cattle sector alone but has also encompassed the management of health emergencies more generally. "We have also continued ongoing action on the bluetongue front," Cualbu and Saba add, "applying strong pressure to intervene with appropriate tools. Today, the 2026 phase has begun, but it's clear that a change of pace is needed: we're no longer talking about emergencies, but about diseases that are becoming endemic and require ongoing, structural interventions."

(Unioneonline)

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