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FACTS ON ARGENTINA
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Livestock
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. 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.
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.
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.
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