MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Hot News. Punta Arenas air station ready for December.

Punta Arenas airport reforms will be finished by next December completing a nine million US dollars refurbishing program that will ensure sufficient operating capacity for the next ten years. The current area in the air station has been more than trebled from 1,400 to 6,060 square meters, and this week the three extensible arms that will enable passengers to embark and disembark directly from aircraft arrived in Punta Arenas from Germany. Full cost of the new equipment, one million US dollars. The new building will have a 500 people capacity in two stories and the station will be able to operate three aircrafts simultaneously. Contractors expect to finish reforms by early December in time for the full tourist season when heavy traffic should enable a quick recovery of investments.

22,000 US dollars for Polled Hereford bull

A Polled Hereford, PH, bull was auctioned in 22,000 US dollars in the 115th. edition of the Palermo Show, when Argentina traditionally displays all its agricultural might. The second PH best bull of the show overtook last year's top price, 21,000 US dollars and was one of the 59 animals sold in this year's edition, reaching an average 3,500 US dollars. "The average bull price can be considered good, above those we were expecting, given the crisis in Argentina's cattle industry and the fact that meat plants are paying 70 US cents a kilo for live animals", underlined Mr. Víctor Tonelli from Hereford Beef & Breeders. Breaking with tradition this year's Palermo Show had two rounds: one in early August when no animals with hooves could participate because of the foot and mouth disease restrictive measures, and in late September when the ban on cattle movement was lifted. In the first leg it was mainly an industrial show with horse exhibitions, and in September back to basics with Argentina's main breeds competing for the best exhibit and farmers giving evidence they will continue to work and develop. Attendance to the Palermo Show second round was considered "very acceptable" and sales encouraging, giving the FAM crisis. "In spite of all the obstacles imposed upon us, we didn't give up and this show is a hymn to what is possible", said Enrique Crott