MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Breaking News. Farmers pledge to prevail.

Sales in Uruguay's main agricultural show this year are estimated to have fallen 30% in value, and 6% in number of animals, (from 197 to 185), compared to last year's edition. The almost century old show that is held in the Prado grounds, just a few miles from downtown Montevideo, reflected the strong recession that cattle and sheep breeders in Uruguay are suffering.

However in spite of the disappointing prices for the best cattle of the country, Uruguayan farmers and commodity brokers were not entirely discouraged since Uruguay last April suffered a serious outbreak of foot and mouth disease, and only last month the ban on moving cattle was lifted.

"If we had only prices in our mind we wouldn't have bothered to come to the Prado Show; what is important is to prove we're still alive and the Camp is slowly picking up again", said Mr. Federico Stirling Arocena, one of the main breeders of Corriedale in Uruguay.

Primary figures indicate that cattle sales, (85 animals compared to 92 in the year 2000), reached 143,000 US dollars while a year ago it was 193,000 US dollars. Polled Hereford was the most successful breed with sales of 25 bulls equivalent to 57,000 US dollars and an average per bull of 2,282 US dollars. The top price was 4,700 US dollars for the third best PH bull. The highest price last year for a Hereford bull was 12,000 US dollars. However the best average in this edition went to traditional Herefords, six bulls sold for an average 2,518 US dollars. Last year's average was 5,090 US dollars. Aberdeen Angus bulls averaged 1,885 US dollars with a top 3,250 US dollars price for the fourth best bull, while the top price for Charolais, the winner of the young bull Cup, was auctioned in 2,000 US dollars. Overall sheep sales experienced a significant drop, from 84,000 US dollars last year to 60,000 this edition. However the total number of rams was almost equal, 75, and 76 this year. Corriedale, Uruguay's main wool breed, was again the most active: a ram obtained the top price of the show, 6,200 US dollars with an overall average of 1,072 US dollars for 41 rams, actually three more than in 2000. Regarding Criollo horses, a bear market made prices and numbers collapse: total sales reach