MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Magallanes project to improve lambing and profits

Thirty miles north of Punta Arenas, a private farm with support from the Chilean Development and Promotion Corporation is involved in a project to increase sheep farming profits basically by improving cross breeding and lambing.

The three years project in the Tres Chorrillos estancia with a flock of 8,500 will demand half a million US dollars investment and is directed to select and closely monitor multiple birth ewes.

"Lambing in Magallanes ranges between 65 and 75%, which represents a considerable loss but we are also convinced we can reach 95/100% lambing, not so much by working longer hours but rather through selection and improving cross breeding", said Mr. Jose Marín owner of the test farm.

"Actually all breeds are fertile and have at least one lamb per season. But in Magallanes we loose every year half a million lambs in the camp and we believe there's the technology, infrastructure and willingness to overcome this situation and make meat sheep farming profitable", added Mr. Marín.

Etel Latorre a genetics expert who works for the Chilean Agriculture Research Institute and is aiding Mr. Marín said that "we have ample data on US extensive meat sheep farming and if we manage to sustain selecting ewes which give birth to twins and triplets we'll be in the right track".

The breeds with which the local Magallanes Corriedale is being crossed are Merino, Texel, Polled Dorset, Meat Merino and White Suffolk.

"We're working mainly with hybrids and obviously with the drive and management capacity of Mr. Marín", highlights Ms. Latorre who underlines that "three years might not be enough but will certainly show us the way".