History

From the “Marché-couvert” (covered market) to Espace Gruyère, more than 50 years of history!

1971
The first exhibition, called “Fribourg montre son élevage” (Fribourg shows off its livestock breeding), with the primary objective of showing the evolution of Fribourg livestock as a result of crossbreeding. 220 cows (80 black piebalds and 140 red piebalds) were presented, and thousands of breeders had made the trip to see the exhibition. The event was organized by the Cantonal Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the two cantonal breeding federations. The Canadian Embassy was very interested in the organization of this event and participated in the organization of a seminar the day after the competition.

1974
First foreign judge (Canadian), first animals from outside the canton of Fribourg and first auction of pregnant Holstein heifers.

1977
First auction of exhibited Simmental and Red Holstein cows.

1979
First exhibition during the weekend to allow visitors from outside the agricultural sector to attend and first exhibition of the Swiss Brown breed.

1982
The Red Holstein cow Ilote, belonging to Joseph and Laurent Overney of Rueyres-Treyfayes, has become the first cow in the history of Expo Bulle to win the title of Grand Champion three times.

1986
First national exhibition for the Holstein breed, with cows from 8 swiss cantons.

1991
First competition judged by a single judge, which was already done abroad, to avoid compromises in the classification. The judge was foreign (Italian) to guarantee neutrality and impartiality.
First exhibition opened to all Swiss breeders, including the opening for the first time to the Central and Eastern Switzerland, for the national Holstein exhibition.

1992
First exhibition in a 2,000m2 covered tent with staging for 2,000 people. The tent was set up based on the idea of young breeders at their Junior EXPO in 1991.

1993
Decision to hold a national Holstein competition every two years.

1994
First national exhibition for the Red Holstein breed and first edition with two auctions, “Holstein Stars” and “Super Red Genetics”, for calves, heifers and embryos.

1995 
The Red Holstein cow Jonquille de Menoud Armand, Romanens, has become the second cow in the history of the Expo Bulle to win the title of Grand Champion three times.

1996
Brown Swiss are guests of honor.

1997
EXPO Bulle is moved to Vuisternens-en-Ogoz, in canton Fribourg, to the hall of the metal construction company Müller SA because of the construction work on the Espace Gruyère building.

1998
EXPO Bulle is moved to Montilier, in canton Fribourg, to the former equestrian center because of the construction work on the Espace Gruyère building.

1999
First exhibition in the current Espace Gruyère building. The “Marché-couvert” (covered market) was intended for bull show markets and not for dairy cows’ exhibitions. The ring was outside in the courtyard and there were no milking facilities. The Espace Gruyère building, on the other hand, has the specific infrastructure needed to host agricultural events (easy wastewater drainage, tethering and drinking trough systems, hall heating and ventilation, tiers facing the central ring, pipes for distributing water in the drinking troughs, milking pipes, etc.).
Centenary exhibition of the Swiss Holstein Breeding Federation, with an exhibition of Holstein and Red Holstein heifers as well. National Red Holstein exhibition and transition to an annual national exhibition for the Holstein.
Establishment of the EXPO Bulle simple society by the Holstein and Red Spotted breeding federations of Fribourg.

2000
Invitation of the Brown Swiss.

2001
Cancellation due to foot-and-mouth disease.

2002
Invitation of 24 Brown Swiss cows, selected during the Bruna exhibition, and national exhibition of the Red Holstein.

2003
Exhibition of the Centenary of the Red Spotted breeding federation of Fribourg.
First edition with a single judge for both breeds.

2004
Start of the Swiss Holstein and Red Holstein breeding federations’ National Holstein and Red Holstein Show, with an annual national exhibition for both breeds.
Membership of the Swiss Holstein and Red Holstein breeding federation in the organizing committee.

2006
The Holstein cow Holst. Papaux Leader REBEKA de Papaux & Currat de Les Ecasseys was the first Holstein cow in the history of EXPO Bulle to win the title of Champion for the third time.

2010
First edition with a Junior category and first award of the best breeder.

2011
40th edition of EXPO Bulle with an evening gathering the owners of former champions and former judges and an exhibition of photos of former champions with a public vote to choose the most popular champion.
At the end of the year, the statutes of EXPO Bulle were amended to give the majority to the Swiss breeding federations in order to reinforce the national aspect of the exhibition.

2013
Cancellation of EXPO Bulle due to the European Holstein and Red Holstein Confrontation in Fribourg.

2017
Cancellation of EXPO Bulle due to the infectious viral disease BVD.

2020
Cancellation of EXPO Bulle due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

2021
Cancellation of EXPO Bulle due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

2022
First Swiss Fleckvieh competition organized as part of EXPO Bulle.

2025
Jubilee of the 50th edition of EXPO Bulle.