Uruguayan Profiles
The Republic of Uruguay lies in the Western Hemisphere between longitudes 53 and 58, and in the subtropical zone between latitudes 30 and 35 South.
Geographically, Uruguay lies in the Southern sub-tropical zone of the South American continent; its territory extends over the Western part of the Atlantic coast. Topographically, it is located in the area of transition between the Brazilian plateau and the plains of Las Pampas.Uruguay covers 176,215 square kilometers, which may not seem a large area, compared with the size of its two big neighbors. It is however, larger than Austria, Cuba, Greece, Guatemala, Portugal, Costa Rica, Ireland or Nicaragua..
Within its frontiers it could contain Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Denmark combined, with room to spare.
A CATTLE COUNTRY
Uruguay has 4.7 hectares per capita of fertile land for pasture or farming. That is six times greater than the world average. The proportion of its land dedicated to natural production is 85%, one of the highest in the world.
The economic potential of Uruguay's 15 million hectares of fertile land is multiplied when one considers the riches of its natural resources. It has areas suitable for agricultural, livestock and forest production. The first two have positioned Uruguay for many decades as a privileged provider of food, leather and wool, generating more than 55% of Uruguay's exports.
Average temperatures range from 17 oC (62.6 oF) in Spring, 25 oC (77 oF) in Summer, 18 oC (64.4 oF) in Autumn and 12 oC (53.6 oF) in Winter. Maximum temperatures may exceptionally attain 40 oC (104 oF) in Summer and low temperatures of -8 oC (17.6 oF) in Winter. Snowstorms and hurricanes are unknown in the region
Three fourths (3/4) of the Uruguayan frontiers are marked by fluvial bodies such as oceans, rivers and lakes. In fact, the lower half of the country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the River Plate, giving the south its windy characteristics ideal for the flushing of ticks and flying pests such as the small fly carrier of Blue Tongue disease. Regarding the latter, the European Union regards the country as Free of Blue Tongue, the United States is currently doing their due diligence in this certification.
Finally, the sanitary conditions that have incidence in the reproductive process of Uruguay's livestock, have been set as an example in the international health organizations of the continent, in particular with Mercosur.BEEF AND DAIRY CATTLE
FEEDINGThe feeding system is basically pastoral, with natural and winter fodder. Due to the nature and geography of the country, livestock is encourage to graze naturally year around.
INSEMINATION AND GENETIC SERVICE
90% of the national herd procreates through artificial insemination using chosen semen from the best bulls of the United States and Canada. Insemination occurs from November to the later part of February and from the first days of July to August.
BIRTHING
The yearly percentage of births is high in Uruguay due to the favorable natural conditions, it averages 81%. Most establishments will work with a bi-seasonal system targeting the Spring and Fall (with variable percentages in each season).
RUSTICITYUruguay has a differentiated affluent climate where all four seasons are clearly marked. The herd must endure occasional high temperatures in Summer and below freezing weather in Winter. This cycle helps the livestock adapt to extreme variations in climate and hostile conditions.
Holstein cattle is particularly hardy as generally the distance between the grazing prairie and the establishment are relatively large, a distance that they must cover in daily basis. This is one of the reasons why the Uruguayan Holstein has the characteristic force necessary to support a high performance. Endowed with good udders, these Holstein specimens have firm hooves and legs apt for this performance, is a combination of strength and good milking attitude. In effect, this is what our clients look for when requesting profitable units.
The Company | Exportation | Breeders
Links | Contact-us | News