The Breed of Uruguay Visit

Today on our adventure in Uruguay we visited a one of the country's top Polled Hereford  seedstock producers. The majority of cattle in Uruguay are of the Hereford breed.  This is a family run farm that specializes in Polled Hereford cattle but do also have another herd of cattle based on Angus genetics which was started by their great grandfather. The farm name was Sociedad Ganadera San Salvador. They have 150 head of registered Polled Hereford cattle which they focus on raising bulls and breeding emails. Every October they conduct a bull sale where they sell 80 bulls and 20 heifers. They sell their bulls as two-year olds, and the heifers as open yearlings. Their genetics are extensively base on U.S. Seedstock genetics they select from trips to the U.S., and following the U.S., Hereford and Angus bloodlines.

One of the Fernandez Family's Polled Hereford Herd Bull's we viewed. 

In discussing their cow herd I learned they do not breed their first calf heifers until they are two-year-olds. They do this to make sure the heifers are mature before they are bred and calve. Their cow herd is never fed, similar to the Angus farm we visited a few days ago. The cow herd grazes year round. The bulls graze up until the sale, but about five months prior to the sale they are fed a supplemental grain ration of corn and oats while still on grass. We got to see all their bulls, including their herd bulls and the bulls they collect semen from. 

Another Polled Hereford bull that is the product of  the genetics as Sociedad Ganadera San Salvador . 

After viewing their cattle we spent the majority of the afternoon eating Asado (BBQ beef in South America) and enjoying everyone's company as we continued to discuss beef cattle. This farm visit was an exceptional stop and very knowledgeable for everyone. I hope in the future we can continue to have as quality visits as this one.

Master chef Luis Fernandez, owner of San Salvador with his family cooked up an awesome beef Asado. He cooked 22 lbs of beef and our students ate it all!!

Student Jason Madison presenting some thank you gifts to the family. 

The SDSU Students saying with the Fernandez family after a wonderful visit learning about the cattle industry in central Uruguay. 

Submitted by Austin Effling