On April 15 and 16, 2026, Sud Ouest Mash, a subsidiary of Sud Ouest Aliment, took part in the PROVINLAIT trade show, held at the sheep market in Réquista, Aveyron.
A key event for the sheep dairy sector and all regional stakeholders, the show brings together over two days technicians from the Confédération Générale de Roquefort, Unotec, Idele, major dairy companies, nutritionists, and livestock equipment suppliers.
Sheep Milk Production: A Historic Foundation for Two SOAL Subsidiaries
France is a leading player in sheep milk production, with approximately 320 million liters produced by nearly 1.5 million ewes. Most of this production is concentrated in southern regions, particularly in mountain areas that play a key role in local economies and rural communities.
Two major production basins dominate the sector: the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (Béarn and the Basque Country) and the Roquefort basin in Aveyron, which together account for the majority of sheep farms. These regions, represented by Bazkaona and SO MASH, were naturally highlighted at the PROVINLAIT trade show, with many customers from these emblematic territories in attendance.
Strong Mobilisation from the SO MASH Team
For the occasion, the entire Aveyron-based team was mobilised: Yves Maynard, Jean-Luc Reilles, Jérémy Coulon, Joël Pages and Gaëlle Vergnes. As field specialists working closely with farmers, they embody SO MASH’s technical expertise and on-the-ground support.
Beyond its professional dimension, the event also attracted strong interest thanks to its programme of conferences, demonstrations and exhibitions — a genuine forum for discussion where participants could openly address the real challenges and future issues facing the sector.
A Wealth of Meetings and Exchanges
Many farmers visited our stand to discuss their practices and future projects. These conversations are essential to maintaining close connections with the field and continuing to develop solutions tailored to the needs of livestock operations.
The event also provided an opportunity for enriching and friendly discussions with industry professionals as well as students from local agricultural schools, allowing us to showcase our professions and inspire interest among the next generation in the sheep milk sector.
We would like to warmly thank our customers and everyone we met at PROVINLAIT for two days that were both professionally rewarding and genuinely enriching on a human level.
