In the Mapuche community of Nehuen Co, El Chaiful area, Ingeniero Jacobacci, Río Negro, a work day was held at the Sáez family's farm.
On February 13, 2025, a workshop was held at the Sáez family farm in the Nehuen Co Mapuche community, in the El Chaiful area of ??Ingeniero Jacobacci, Río Negro. The event was organized by the technical team of the Ingeniero Jacobacci Rural Extension Agency (AER), along with specialists from INTA's Bariloche Agricultural Experimental Station (EEA) and community members. During the meeting, the three producers responsible for the Innovation Units (UI) defined by the community were interviewed, with the goal of establishing a baseline for their development. The Innovation Units will work on different strategic production areas: in Chaiful Abajo, Ricardo Huenul will implement improvements in cattle management; in Chaiful Arriba, Fabiana Sáez will optimize sheep breeding, with a focus on genetic selection and animal welfare; And in Chaiful Centro, Edgardo Paineman will carry out a project to implement alfalfa pastures to strengthen the forage supply. While part of the technical team conducted characterization surveys, an evaluation of the Sáez family's sheep herd was conducted, analyzing its structure, body condition, and genetic characteristics. The flock's good adaptation to the environment was highlighted, identifying opportunities for improvement in fleece density and the need to eliminate animals with prognathism to strengthen the genetic quality of the herd. In sheep production, the goal is to move toward a more efficient herd adapted to environmental conditions. While improving the sheep herd follows a consolidated line of work, cattle management and pasture production represent an unprecedented challenge in the region, as they have not been technically addressed to date. This initiative will not only promote the generation of applied knowledge but will also benefit the entire community, promoting innovative and sustainable strategies to strengthen Mapuche livestock farming in the context of climate change.
