Economic Activities: Livestock

Economic Activities

LIVESTOCK

Mild Climate Area

Sub-tropical Climate Area

Arid Area

According to the figures from the 1988 Livestock National Census, in Argentina there are 75 million head of cattle including bovine, ovine, porcine and equine cattle. About 60 per cent corresponds to the finest breeds of beef cattle and 30 per cent to the ovine cattle. Each inhabitant consumes an average of 132 pounds of meat per year.

Aberdeen - Angus

Mild Climate Area

An 80 per cent of the beef cattle is concentrated in the Pampa plain. Beef breeds are: Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus and Charolais and the main dairy breed is Holando. A 30 per cent of the ovine cattle basically corresponds to Lincoln and Corriedale breeds. Over a 90 per cent of the porcine raising is intended for domestic consumption. The two most important aviculture, apiculture and rabbit keeping centers are Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires.

Shorthorn

Sub-tropical Climate Area

In this area, the production was always concentrated on covering domestic demand. The provinces of Misiones and Corrientes are characterized by the development of native breed and Hereford beef cattle raising. In the Chaco plain, beef cattle is crossbred with European breeds or zebu. The native breed prevails in ovine cattle. In the north-west, stock raising is not important. The dairy and native breeds prevail. Among the wool cattle, it is worth noting karakul, from which "astrakhan" is obtained.

Left: Hereford. Right: Exhibition in the Rural Society.

Arid Area

In the Puna, the climatic conditions are adverse for stock raising. There are only some Wool and caprine cattle, the llamas being the most relevant. In the Pampa sierras, there is an abundance of caprine cattle, from which flesh, skin and milk for cheese-processing can be obtained. There are also native sheep, intended for the production of thick wool, mules and rural equine cattle. In Patagonia ovine cattle prevails, mainly of Corriedale, Argentine and Australian Merino and Rommey Marsh breeds.

Left: sheeps. Right: Llamas.

For further information: Ministerio de Economía

El Sur del Sur
The Southernmost South

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