«Dramatic». This is how the Argentine Rural Confederation (CRA) organization described the situation that some producers in southern Patagonia are going through as a result of the snow storm that has already caused the death of many animals.
«Every day that passes is more complicated because we have more days on our backs“, summarized producer Enrique Jamieson, president of the Rural Society of Río Gallegos, to RÍO NEGRO.
He stated that In some fields, between 40 and 60 centimeters of snow fell. «The issue is that there was some snowfall in April and May that froze. “That has generated like a layer of glass on which now 60 centimeters of snow has fallen, making it difficult for the animals to eat,” said Jamieson, who also chairs the Federation of Agricultural Institutions of Santa Cruz.
The animals cannot eat because the food is buried under the snow. Photo: courtesy
The animals cannot eat because the food is buried under the snow. Photo: courtesy
The animals cannot eat because the food is buried by snow. Photo: courtesy
In some cases, There are animals that have been there for 12 days without eating because the food is buried under the snow. «Deaths have already begun. The weakest animals or those that were covered by the snow always succumb. But it is not time to count the deaths, but to save what is alive“, highlighted the producer from Santa Cruz.
He said that although with the help of the Army, which made armored vehicles available to distribute bales, they are trying to distribute “fodder to save the producers’ capital, there are places where they still cannot open local roads” to access the fields.
The most complicated fields are located in downtown Santa Cruz to the west. They estimate that the snowfall affected to 50% of the establishments, with 50% sheep and bovine production.
The animals cannot eat because the food is buried under the snow. Photo: courtesy
The animals cannot eat because the food is buried by snow. Photo: courtesy
The animals cannot eat because the food is buried under the snow. Photo: courtesy
Jamieson warned that “from time to time it is known that these types of events can occur. There are producers who have lost up to 60% of their animals. Therefore, we are committed to implementing actions to avoid that percentage.
«We try to arrive with fodder and assistance. There are many rural people who have been left semi-isolated. Therefore, we are asking for machines to clean the accesses. With so many establishments, it is not easy. We know that the Province has good intentions, but the situation is really dramatic.«, he warned.
The Army provided armoured vehicles to access the fields. Photo: courtesy
They distribute bales in the fields where they can access. Photo: courtesy
They distribute bales in the fields where they can access. Photo: courtesy
