Gasconne des Pyrénées at European livestock summit

The Gasconne des Pyrénées breed took part in the Summit of Livestock in Cournon-d’Auvergne, a major event under the European project EUBPQ, which highlights two mountain cattle breeds: the Gasconne des Pyrénées in France and the Piemontese in Italy.

Champion cow and bull named

Among the females, the most beautiful cow of the competition is named Utopie. At 3 years old, she won the champion title for Thierry Pujolle, a breeder in Ponlat-Taillebourg, in Haute-Garonne. Among the males, it is Umaga, a 2-year-old bull, who wins. He belongs to two associated farms, the SCEA des Coulagues in Lacombe, in the Aude, and Mathieu Saignol in Mauressargues, in the Gard.

Aude region wins multiple awards

The Aude region returned with the most abundant harvest: in addition to the champion, the SCEA des Coulagues won the first prize for cows presented with their calf, and that for calves. Mathieu Saignol also won the double in heifers, and the GAEC de Bonnanza in Rayssac, in the Tarn, received the special qualification prize for females with Rainette.

Other farms recognized

Other farms also ranked: the Estadieu farm in Soueich and the EARL Daure in Pointis-Inard (Haute-Garonne), the EARL En Co de Gran in Bettes (Hautes-Pyrénées), Jean-Jacques Raspaud in Lézat-sur-Lèze (Ariège), the GAEC Lassalle in the Martys (Aude), the GAEC La Callola in Sahorre (Pyrénées-Orientales), and the GAEC de la Petite Gasconne in Méaudre, in the Vercors (Isère).

Eight departments represented

In total, eight departments are listed in the ranking, including seven in Occitanie. The details are attached (below).

President praises breed recognition

"Seeing the Gasconne rewarded at the Summit in the year of pastoralism is a beautiful recognition for a breed made for the mountains," says Christian Asna, president of the Groupe Gasconne des Pyrénées.

European project aims to promote breed

Cofinanced by the European Union and implemented in France by the Groupe Gasconne des Pyrénées and INTERBEV Occitanie, EUBPQ aims to promote the breed and encourage consumers to look for official quality marks. The Gasconne participates through its Label Rouge, the first Label Rouge for large cattle attached to a rustic breed, which today counts sixty-five certified farms. Learn more: localmountainbreeds.eu