MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay: more sheep and fewer cattle

Heading for a record year of beef exports, over a billion US dollars, Uruguay's cattle herd is experiencing the impact of the efforts and it's doubtful it can sustain in the coming years such a level of production.

According to the annual Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries 2005/06 livestock survey, Uruguay currently has 11.7 million head of cattle and 11.2 million sheep which represents an overall 2% decrease and 3% decrease compared to the previous census.

With a record extraction level of 25%, (almost 3 million head), cattle in the different categories experienced declines with the exception of calves that increased 3%. Another positive side in spite of the record beef production, (over 600.000 tons) is that half the cattle stock is made up of cows in breeding condition which makes current production sustainable in the medium term.

The current boom in Uruguay's beef industry with live cattle prices the highest in the region and comparable to Chicago, plus an excellent sanitary condition, has also been helped by neighboring (competitor) countries' problems. In Argentina limits and bans on beef exports have been imposed to contain inflation and in Brazil several states have proved to have endemic foot and mouth disease.

Of the 11.7 million head, 4.5% are 3 year old steers; 7.6% steers between 2 and 3 years; 10% between 1 and 2 years; calves 23% heifers 15%.

The record level of extraction is also indicating that the age of the three million head sent to abattoirs was mainly in the range of 2 to 3 years, with the rest above 3 years.

Regarding sheep, after almost a decade (1994) of a declining stock which seems to have peaked down in 2004 with 11.2 million, farmers are again showing confidence in wool and lamb and are retaining breeding age ewes. The ovine stock is made up of 55% ewes.

The number of sheep slaughtered jumped from 880.000 last year to 1.4 million in 2006.