Mr. Adrián Cayuqueo, a memberr and president of the community, arrived at this property in Icalma in 1983. He initially began raising cattle, sheep, and goats.
Mr. Adrián Cayuqueo, a memberr and president of the Cheuquen Nguilliu community, arrived at this property in Icalma in 1983. He initially began raising cattle, sheep, and goats. However, he now works exclusively on cattle farming due to frequent attacks by predators such as pumas, foxes, and packs of dogs, which have caused high mortality rates among the smaller livestock.
Livestock farming in this area follows the traditional wintering-summering system. During the summer months, or when there is no snow, the animals are moved to high -altitude pastures (summering). In winter, the cattle are relocated to pastures closer to the home, where they receive preserved forage.
The best pastures near the home are reserved for hay production, which is used to feed the cattle during the winter. However, the hay produced is insufficient to meet the herd's needs, so additional preserved forage, such as bales, must be purchased to ensure the steady food supply.
A major challenges faced by the pastures is the lack of moisture, which has prompted the implementation of irrigation programs in the area. In this context, the INIA Carillanca Regional Centre’s research and extension team, in collaboration with the community, seeks to increase forage production through a more efficient irrigation system, which will also incorporate automation in certain processes. This initiative is intended to enable producers to manage their activities with greater efficiency, ensuring that various tasks are carried out without interference.
