CLIMATE AND TYPES OF RAW MATERIALS

The Patagonic region is in the south of the country, both the ocean and the staggered plateau (E) as the mountain rage and the Andean woods (W) have a role at the time of determining the climate of the area that is drier and semi-desert as we move towards East. The outer-Andean Patagonia climate registers rainfalls below 300 mm. The aridity of the current climate is due to the formation of the Andes Mountain Rage that impedes humid winds coming from the west to pass through; however, it is a region lashed by permanent winds that, on many cases, exceed gusts of 100 km/h that, even though they contribute to aridity, they are a natural resource that is used to generate wind power.

It is an area enriched by a diversity of resources: in this region, around 80 % of the Argentine oil production is generated, almost 80 % of national gas is extracted, it provides the national and international market with mild-weather fruits, such as pears and apples, seafood, such as king prawn. and, of course, wool.

In the mountain rage area at the north of the Patagonia, rainfalls are high in winter and there is summer drought. The most adapted races to this modality are the fine and medium and dual purpose crossbreeding.

In the south mountain rage, the forested area is more scrubby, but it keeps on generating humidity which is harmful for the quality of very fine wools. The predominant sheep in this area is the Corriedale, its crossbreeding with Merino and intermediate races.

The pre-mountain rage is also complicated, because wind and rain months delay the sheep reproductive cycle. The intense snowfalls cause the suspension of sheepherding. River water volumes vary a lot, which causes a typical vegetation that is good for sheep. The main breed in this area is the Merino; the criss-cross to the South, and the Corriedale and multi-purpose Merino in Santa Cruz.

Mountains and plateaux are the ideal areas to breed fine wool sheep. In these areas, we obtain top-quality, fine, clean, and productive Merino wool.

In the central plateau area, we may observe a continental weather, where there are snowfalls and rainfalls in winter and heat near 40 degrees in summer plus droughts. In this area, the Merino race shows its hardiness. Problems such as fragile wool, dull leather, earthy wool, and loss of heads may arise. More to the south, the preferential races are Corriedale and ¾ Merino.

In the mountains, where summers are hotter and drier and rains are scarce, the main problem the sheep farmer has to deal with is water supply, resorting to watermills and seawalls. Both here and in the coast, which has a microclimate due to the sea effect that also reduces the daily thermal range, the races are crossbreeding, Merino, and Creole.

The province of Chubut, where our production units are located, heads the breed, production, industrialization, and export of the country’s wools in about 55 %, where the largest processing capacity of wools is focused, in which Merino is the star. The product quality has earned over 40 world markets.

The Merino race is the wool producer per excellence, the most valued in the world both in demand and price, and is characterized by its white color, softness, and density. At the beginning of the 40s, with the purpose of improving the race, there was a crossbreeding between the existing Merino and the Australian Merino, that has an excellent-quality wool regarding its length, softness, elasticity, and performance with high hardiness. From this merge, a modern animal emerged, without wrinkles and with an unbeatable-quality wool and great adaptability to dry and demanding climates with scarce vegetation.

The Corriedale is a robust race, without stains, with a broad, heavy, and longer fleece than the Merino, and square of about 27-32 micras. It is a rustic animal that adapts to extensive sheepherding.

The Creole or without defined race were introduced to the country in the 16th century by the conquerors. It is not an homogenous genotype, but a series of genotypes adapted to the particularities of each land. They appear in different colors, they are generally small, and have light fleece with fluffy and rough fibers.