Only the bones: drought kills thousands of cows in Argentina, which are left adrift in the pastures

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In the country, about 26 million heads of cattle – of the more than 54 million that make up the national treasury – are at risk. Rains should have started in September. Cows dead in Argentina due to drought AP Photo/Gustavo Garello In a field in the Argentine province of Santa Fe, a dead calf lies a few meters from a cow that collapsed a few days earlier from starvation. The silence that surrounds them is broken by the insistent sound of several helpless cubs. “Those calves are mooing because their mother died,” rancher Gustavo Giailevra told the Associated Press, as he resignedly pointed out to the animals the day before that in a few days they too would die from lack of water and fodder. His 1,370-hectare cattle farm, located near the town of Tostado, is suffering the effects of a drought that in recent months has killed more than 300 animals. Calf dies next to cow in search of water during drought in Argentina AP Photo/Gustavo Garello Not far away, his son Pablo Giailevra was next to the body of a Braford insemination specimen dead next to a water tank that should have been be much more crowded at this time of year. “He died two days ago; (the animals) come to the troughs; they hit, run over each other to drink the little water they have, they fall and never stop”, lamented the 40-year-old man. Foxes, cougars and wild boars also come to the pond to drink because they can’t find anywhere to drink. Cow dies of thirst during drought in Argentina AP Photo/Gustavo Garello Thousands of dead cows, withered soy and corn fields and fires threatening fields in Argentina’s richest agricultural zone are the effects of a three-year drought caused by the effect of the La Niña weather phenomenon and caused millions of dollars in financial losses. Since January 10, around 50% of Argentine territory has suffered varying degrees of drought and around 26 million head of cattle – out of the more than 54 million that make up the national treasury – are at risk due to lack of pasture and water in several areas. regions, indicated a report by the Livestock Market of the Bolsa de Rosario. Also read: What are the degraded pastures whose recovery is considered as a goal by Lula Inflation of the prepared dish and breakfast: basic foodstuffs became more expensive in 2022 At the Giailevra farm, specialized in raising calves that are sold for the rest of the country, the rains were expected for mid-September and, four months later, they did not arrive. All the water stored in wells and dams was running out, and bringing in a water truck doesn’t seem like the solution, given the cost (about $1,500) and the fact that it runs out in one day. They’ve tried taking their herd to graze and drink in other fields, but, they say, about 350 kilometers away “you can’t get a place” because they look just as damaged. Dry water reservoir due to the weather in Argentina AP Photo/Gustavo Garello Hundreds of hectares of cotton and pastures are ruined by the drought and, paradoxically, more than 100 kilometers away is the Paraná, one of the most powerful rivers in Argentina that could contribute to solving the problem. In the department of Santa Fe de 9 de Julio, where Tostado is head, of the 600,000 head of cattle, at least 400,000 suffer from lack of water, according to Jorge Mercau, president of the Rural Society of that city. In the north of the province of Santa Fe, the lack of rain has so far caused the death of at least 3,000 cows, provincial authorities have indicated. Cotton crop affected by drought in Argentina AP Foto/Gustavo Garello Santa Fé and the border provinces of Entre Ríos and Córdoba concentrate around 10 million animals in areas affected by lack of rain and a similar number is found in Buenos Aires, said the Livestock Market report. Productive damage is inevitable, which will be weighed as livestock reach the market, delimited the study. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange has estimated a reduction in the grain harvest in the country – such as soy, sunflower and wheat -, outlining two possible scenarios depending on the degree of drought, which will cause losses between US$ 11,000 million and US$ 15,700 million. The same entity projects a decrease in the value of exports between US$ 9,226 million and US$ 14,115 million and, consequently, a drop in State tax collection of up to US$ 4,739 million. The risk of drought reached 175 million hectares in December, with an increase of 10 million hectares compared to the previous month, according to a report by the National Directorate of Agricultural Risk and Emergency, which indicated that the 2020-2022 triennium is the driest on record. in the country. Another consequence of the lack of rain, high temperatures and lack of humidity is the recurring fires. Foci of different intensities affect forest areas in at least nine Argentine provinces, according to a report released Thursday by the National Fire Management Service. In the area of ​​the city of Barrancas, in the province of Santa Fe, firefighters fought on Tuesday an outbreak that spread and affected cultivated fields. Agricultural producer José Maulión, who has 3,000 hectares – part of which were affected by the fire – said that, at 42 years old, he does not remember a drought like this one that has caused delays in harvests and immense damage to crops. 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