POULTRYINDONESIA, Rennes – Water took center stage at SPACE 2026, which officially opened in Rennes, France, on Tuesday (15/9). Under the theme “Water, the Source of Livestock Farming!”, one of the world’s largest international livestock exhibitions highlighted the availability and management of water as a crucial issue for the future sustainability of livestock production systems.

Running through Thursday (17/9) at Parc-Expo de Rennes, this year’s event also marks the 40th edition of SPACE. The exhibition brings together industry players from various livestock subsectors, including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits, horses, and aquaculture.

SPACE 2026 features more than 1,200 exhibitors, including 365 companies from 40 countries, spread across 11 sector halls and an outdoor area covering approximately 16 hectares. On the visitor side, SPACE is expecting around 100,000 professional visitors, including 14,000 from 125 countries. The scale of the event further reinforces SPACE’s position as an important meeting point for the livestock industry, both in Europe and in international markets.

SPACE Chairman Didier Lucas said the agriculture and livestock sectors are undergoing major changes, increasingly accelerated by climate shifts. According to Lucas, farmers and livestock producers are on the front lines of these changes and are among those most directly affected by the various disruptions, requiring the sector to continuously adapt.

“The summer of 2026 provides a real picture of what the future of agriculture may look like,” Lucas said, emphasizing the urgent need to preserve, manage, and secure water resources, particularly in western France. He noted that water is becoming increasingly relevant to the livestock sector because it is a vital element throughout the production chain, from providing drinking water for livestock and cleaning facilities to managing the barn environment.

In the poultry sector in particular, water-use efficiency is closely linked to environmental management within poultry houses. Drinking-water systems, monitoring consumption levels, controlling housing conditions, and sanitation are all integral to maintaining livestock performance and health.

In addition to water, digital technology and innovation are also prominent at SPACE 2026. A number of companies are showcasing a wide range of solutions covering feed and nutrition, animal health, genetics, housing and equipment, energy, waste management, and technology.

Lucas described SPACE as a key reference point for genetics and animal health, as well as a platform for digital innovation, energy, and organizational solutions, and a forum for international reflection and exchange. He added that the 40th-anniversary edition serves as an opportunity to look ahead to the next 40 years by preparing for the future of agriculture with bold and focused strategies.

The innovation program is also represented by Innov’SPACE, one of the event’s flagship programs showcasing the latest technological developments in the livestock sector. In addition, more than 100 conferences and symposiums are scheduled throughout the event, complemented by presentations and livestock competitions, job-dating sessions, and Espace for the Future, which explores the challenges facing the livestock industry in the years ahead.