Report by Veterinary Director Rob Grinnall

La Rural Palermo opened its gates on 17 July 2025, and the environment in Buenos Aires was electrical. This isn’t only a livestock present — it’s a century-old establishment woven into the cultural material of Argentina. The showgrounds themselves are steeped in historical past, inaugurated in 1910 and designed by among the nation’s main architects. The elegant façades, sweeping coated pavilions, and grand avenues lined with livestock barns lend a way of permanence and custom to what’s, for ten days, the beating coronary heart of Argentina’s agricultural world.

The statistics are spectacular by any commonplace: greater than two thousand animals — sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, and horses — housed on-site and proven in competitors; over 1,000,000 guests streaming by means of the gates over the course of the occasion. The livestock stay on the premises for your complete period, cared for in everlasting services which were a part of the present’s infrastructure for many years.

I attended on the invitation of DBT LATAC to advertise UK agriculture and, specifically, the energy of our livestock and genetics. The welcome was instant and real. Argentina’s connection to UK breeds just isn’t a passing curiosity — it’s a relationship constructed over greater than two centuries, starting with the export of Shorthorn and Angus bulls from Britain within the early 1800s. That historical past continues to be spoken of with respect and even affection.

My principal hosts have been the Hampshire Down Sheep Society of Argentina, who had remodeled their presence on the present into one thing actually eye-catching. Their stand was a hive of exercise from the second the gates opened every day.

Vibrant shows of merchandise, informative breed literature, and an enthusiastic group, created an inviting hub for guests. Youngsters have been delighted by the individual in a Hampshire sheep costume handing out balloons; farmers lingered over images of high sires and pedigree charts. UKTAG banners stood proudly on the entrance, and the UK breed society literature I had introduced vanished nearly as rapidly because it was laid out.

That first morning, after greeting the Hampshire Down group, I met Fernando Hernandez, Director of the Council. Fernando has a eager curiosity in preserving and constructing on Argentina’s historic connection to UK genetics. Already he has fifty Angus embryos ready for export from Dunlouise Angus and is raring to broaden his Hereford herd.

He additionally voiced curiosity in buying between 300 and 4 hundred doses of Belted Galloway semen — a specialist request that speaks to the rising curiosity in Argentina for genetic variety. Standing beside his herd of authentic inhabitants Herefords on the present, Fernando’s pleasure was unmistakable.

On Friday, the present hosted a significant bovine genetics discussion board. The dimensions of attendance was hanging: farmers from throughout the nation gathered to listen to consultants talk about how breeding selections might instantly influence profitability.

The conversations went properly past the purely technical. Producers spoke concerning the frustration of losses from vaccine abscesses, stress, and damage attributable to poor dealing with, and the financial premium positioned on marbling — a trait that, being genetic, affords a chance for focused enchancment.

That night, the British Embassy hosted a reception for the bovine genetics sector, with some 200 delegates filling the room. Organised by Federico Wodtke, the occasion not solely marked the two-hundredth anniversary of agricultural ties between the UK and Argentina but in addition created an area the place new alternatives have been mentioned.

Saturday was when the showgrounds actually got here alive. Households arrived in droves, youngsters pulling mother and father in the direction of pens of cattle, sheep, and horses.

For the Hampshire Down sheep, it was inspection day. That is no informal look over the rails — it’s a meticulous, hands-on evaluation just like practices in Australia and South Africa. Two breed inspectors examined every animal for conformation and correctness, checking all the pieces from head form to leg placement. Wool was measured it’s not permitted to exceed twenty-five millimetres. Veterinary groups moved in subsequent, assessing gait, eyes, udders, and testicles, rams had their testicular circumference recorded, whereas ewes have been scanned for being pregnant. Again fats and rib-eye muscle scans adopted, with all knowledge rigorously famous to be used by the judges if required.

Within the midst of all this present, some ewes calmly lambed of their pens, a reminder of the agricultural actuality behind the spectacle.

Every day, the showground air was thick with the odor of roasting lamb. Carlos Mario Laborde, President of the Hampshire Down Sheep Society of Argentina, had donated twenty Hampshire lambs to be cooked and served within the central meals court docket. Ready by an award-winning barbecue chef, the lamb rolls rapidly grew to become one of the well-liked choices on the occasion. Carlos insisted we pattern them every day, and it will be no exaggeration to say it was a few of greatest meat I tasted in the course of the journey.

In the course of the week, I gave an hour-long speak to farmers on “The Function of the Vet in Sustainability and Ruminants and Greenhouse Gasoline Manufacturing”. The presentation was well-received, and the dialogue afterwards was spirited. Farmers spoke overtly about their frustration on the manner ruminants are singled out as local weather change culprits whereas different industries seem to flee comparable scrutiny. It was a sentiment that resonated deeply with what we hear from UK farmers.

On Tuesday, the Brandi household hosted me for a tour that started on the MAG Mercado Agroganadero, a unprecedented livestock market that may solely be described as a small metropolis of cattle commerce together with the workplaces of over 30 auctioneers. Overlaying 110 hectares with 40,000 sq. metres of coated area, it strikes ten thousand cattle by means of its pens every day.

SENASA officers, the Argentine equal of our APHA, have workplaces on website, and veterinary oversight is fixed. Cattle are weighed each earlier than and after sale, with the latter determine used for billing. From there, gauchos on horseback transfer the animals almost a kilometre to 250 loading pens in an operation that runs with outstanding effectivity.

We then travelled to the Frigolar abattoir, a household enterprise run for 3 generations by the Mengani household. Roman, the youngest member, welcomed us warmly, defined the operation, and led an in depth tour of the ability. Processing 800 cattle a day, Frigolar provides each the home market and export locations together with China, the USA, Brazil, and the EU. The very best-quality cuts are reserved for Uruguay and Australia, with bigger volumes of commodity beef shipped to Brazil and bones to China. It was clear that working at Frigolar is a supply of pleasure locally; jobs listed below are coveted, and the group’s cohesion and talent have been evident in each division.

The day ended at a polo centre based by British entrepreneur J. Baker, set amid manicured grounds and stables that appeared to stretch endlessly. Angus bulls grazed alongside the driveways, their presence a relentless reminder of the agricultural thread operating by means of even Argentina’s most glamorous equestrian pursuits.

Later within the afternoon, I joined the Vice President of La Rural to current the sash to the Reserve Champion Angus — an honour for an abroad visitor.

Hereford judging day introduced members of the British Embassy to the present, which was an excellent alternative to clarify livestock judging to the group which included the Appearing Ambassador HE Bhavna Sharma. Their curiosity was real, and it was a pleasure to stroll them by means of the finer factors of each sheep and cattle evaluation.

With the ability to deliver agriculture to the embassy group is a rewarding and important a part of these visits.  There isn’t any actual cause why any of the group would perceive a sheep present or the finer factors of synthetic insemination and it’s right here that I can actually help in explaining the processes and why it’s so essential to the UK and importing markets.

Thursday started with a face-to-face assembly at SENASA alongside Federico and LATAC Agri Attaché Tamana, specializing in progress with the bovine embryo export well being certificates; nose to nose conferences are actually helpful in overcoming these delays in discussions.  The next morning included a digital assembly with SENACSA in Paraguay, the place Tamana (Agri Attache), and Gonzalo from the embassy in Paraguay joined in individual, while I assisted on-line, with veterinary enter on the bovine semen certificates which has been on maintain since adjustments in MERCOSUR rules.  Each discussions have been constructive, and there’s optimism that each points shall be resolved within the close to future.

Friday was Hampshire Sheep Day, the centrepiece of my go to.  Some 110 Hampshires had been entered and inspected, housed on the present for 10 days after which introduced out to the principle enviornment for his or her place within the highlight.

Regardless of a humid sky after ten days of good winter solar, the vitality across the ring was undiminished. Stewart Jones of the well-known Maes Glas Flock in Wales judged the lessons, which have been divided by intercourse, age, and dentition. This implies there are roughly 8 lessons of males and the identical in females. The judging mirrored UK observe however included the extra perception of the sooner inspection knowledge.

The stakes have been excessive; this present is as a lot a market as a contest, and a win right here can remodel the business prospects of an animal. The champion Hampshire feminine offered later for US$10,000.  Successful is large, emotion, hollering, kissing is present in abundance in all victories.

Presenting sashes from UKTAG to the Champion and Reserve Hampshire Down Sheep, in addition to Royal Three Counties Present rosettes, was a privilege.

Successful exhibitors and animals included:

Grand Champion Feminine from Cabaña La Puerta , from Córdoba was additionally chosen as Better of the Breed, a historic achievement for them. The flock additionally received Reserve Grand Champion Male.

 Male Champion proprietor and breeder Gustavo Rasino of Managro flock.

UKTAG introduced a prize for The Finest Younger Handler which went to a younger man whose dedication all through the present had been distinctive.

Stewart Jones and I have been deeply moved to be introduced with silver salvers by the Hampshire Sheep Affiliation of Argentina, a gesture that spoke volumes concerning the friendships and belief constructed by means of these exchanges.

Wanting again, the go to was each an expert success and a private privilege. By way of collaboration we will enhance agriculture on each side of the globe.  It is very important observe that the South People have superior their livestock farming enormously. Argentina’s cattle business favours smaller-framed animals, ending at round 400 kilograms, with a transparent choice for authentic inhabitants Hereford, Angus, and Shorthorn genetics, just like these exported 200 years in the past.

Their sheep are sturdy and the Hampshires have been massively improved by latest imports.  Texels are well-liked and will proceed to develop in energy bodily and as a share of the market.  After all, hair sheep, significantly Dorpers are well-liked within the hotter components and wool continues to be vital within the extra southern areas, however that is falling in demand and the Corriedale is definitely far much less vital than it was.   It could be that the UK terminal sire shall be helpful in crossing into these sheep that after have been so wanted for his or her high quality wool.

Most of all, the journey bolstered how agriculture bridges geography and tradition. The enjoyment with which Argentinians rejoice a win within the ring — whether or not their very own or one other’s — is infectious. Crowds collect, press cameras flash, and the sense of group pleasure is tangible. At each flip, I used to be handled as an honoured visitor.

I want to prolong my honest due to UKTAG, DBT, Federico Wodtke, Juan Portello, the Brandi household, and the Hampshire Sheep Society of Argentina for his or her beneficiant assist and hospitality.

For images from the occasion: