$80,000 ARGENTINIAN ALL-BREEDS & HAMPSHIRE WORLD RECORD
A new Argentinian all-breeds and a Hampshire Down world record of $80,000 (£61,000) was set at the El Harem Sale in Buenos Aires on 1st November. Owned by Argentinian Hampshire Down Association Chairman Carlos Laborde, the record breaker was a ram by Maes-Glas Abacus and sold to a consortium of Hampshire Down breeders in Uruguay.
The $80,000 record-breaking ram
The ram's sire was bred by Eirlys Jones of the Maes-Glas flock, Pembrokeshire, from semen exported to Argentina. Earlier in the year the ram had been supreme champion at Palermo Show, under British judge Alison Halcrow – see previous news report. Son Stuart Jones from the Maesglas flock was there in person attending the Sale, alongside Kevin McCarthy (Ballycreely Flock) and Adrian & Richard Rundle (Treworthal Flock).
Dr Rob Grinnall, sheep sector Consultant for UKTAG, the British company working with the levy boards to promote UK Livestock Genetics around the world said: "Argentina has a great potential as a market for UK breeds, with around 15 million head of 10 different breeds. The most important region is the Southern Patagonia, that holds 6 out of those 15 million animals.
"The region has historically been mostly driven by wool breeds, such as Corriedale and Merino. However, the appearance of synthetic materials has heavily impacted on the ovine sector for the last 30 years and brought a new imperative to the wool industry. The reconversion of Patagonian flocks from wool to meat breeds might bring a huge opportunity for both UK genetics and Patagonian farmers, considering the reputation of Argentina as a world high quality protein provider.
"There are already some examples of crossing breeds that helped pioneer farmers to gain an additional 30-40% weight in just five months. The key is finding the breed that best adapts to the hostile environment in Patagonia, an arid region with lack of pastures that can accommodate between 2-3 animals per hectare.
"The demand is not restricted to the Hampshire, with Texels also being used in neighbouring Paraguay and across the LATAM region. The possibility to export other breeds from the UK is very real and immediate."