Shepherd Relay Walk Promotes Grazing Industry
A flock of 350 sheep is traveling across Europe to highlight the professional shepherding industry.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Large Animals
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A flock of 350 sheep departed Diest on October 5, 2026, marking the start of a relay walk across Europe. The event promotes the professional shepherding industry during the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
Why it matters
The relay aims to advocate for the value of grazing land and the shepherding profession. Supporters highlight that grazing animals play a critical role in soil carbon storage and maintaining local wildlife populations.
The flock, managed by shepherds Johan and Toon Schouteden, is moving at a speed of three kilometres per hour. This group of 350 sheep represents a small cohort compared to the limited population of 15 full-time shepherds working in Belgium.
The players
Johan Schouteden
A professional Belgian shepherd coordinating the relay to advocate for grazing land management.
Toon Schouteden
A professional Belgian shepherd working alongside helpers and dogs to guide the flock.
United Nations
The international organization that designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
The details
The relay functions by passing a ceremonial shepherd's staff between different flocks as they move across borders. Shepherds Johan and Toon Schouteden guide the animals with the help of specialized dogs and human assistants. The route is designed to traverse Brussels, Luxembourg, and Germany, ultimately concluding in Hannover to demonstrate the trans-border nature of pastoralist work.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: The flock departed Diest at 8:30 a.m.
2026: The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
The Home Front
This relay walk follows the formal recognition of the United Nations 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. It reflects a growing effort to integrate traditional grazing practices into modern environmental strategies for soil and wildlife health.
Readers interested in the progress of the relay can track the flock through the official digital portal. Those interested in local grazing impacts on soil or wildlife should check with regional agricultural extension offices for information on sustainable land use.
The takeaway
The relay highlights the essential environmental role of professional shepherding and grazing animals. Interested supporters can monitor the journey and the passing of the shepherd's staff at the official event website.
Further reading
Learn more about the intersection of tradition and nature in our Large Animals section.
More information
Track the flock's progress in real-time through the live sheep tracking portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Euro Weekly News Spain.
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Should governments do more to protect traditional agricultural professions like shepherding?
