A reflection and photos

Well after a very exciting and fun trip to Argentina and Uruguay we all made it back home safe. The trip was a very exciting two weeks. This trip half way around the world was inspiring and eye-opening for everyone. I signed up for this class because I thought this trip would give me the unique opportunity to travel and observe agriculture in different countries, something I am very passionate about.

At the beginning of the semester, we started to prepare for our trip.  During class once a week we covered materials needed to get into the country, learned general Spanish terms, studied the culture of South America, and discussed in depth about their agriculture practices, policy and crops, etc.

This trip was great learning experience that many of us said we would take again if we had the opportunity. All of the farmers we visited with were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. All of us were surprised with how similar the farming practices were in Argentina and Uruguay compared to home in the Midwest.

Everyone had a great time on this trip, but I think everyone was ready to get back home to their friends and family. We thank everyone of you that followed us on our adventure to Argentina and Uruguay and everyone who supported us on our trip.

 Submitted by Brady Hauswedell

Some additional photos from our trip

 

Special Guest Visitor At Embassy

During our visit with the USDA Agricultural Representatives at the U.S. Embassy based in Buenos Aires, we received a surprise visit by Kevin Sullivan, the Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission.

The Deputy Chief of Mission, Kevin Sullivan (front row and center).  See photo in Embassy report for additional representative identifications.

The Deputy took time out of his very busy schedule to sit down and visit with the students and congratulated them on taking this step to learn and see about agricultural in other countries outside of the U.S. Sullivan himself was raised in Ohio. He also made the students official ambassadors giving each student a U.S./Argentina pin. This was a real treat during our educational session at the Embassy and we thank Deputy Sullivan for meeting with us.

Dr. B. Lynn Gordon

Back to South Dakota

 After a 10 hour flight back from Buenos Aires and a stop in Atlanta and Minneapolis the students became very familiar with airports on this trip.

Derek Van Heek took the time in the airport to relax while waiting for the next flight.

Jalen Baldwin and Jacob Baustin waiting in Minneapolis airport watching  it snow outside and wondering if they should have stayed a few more days in warm South America.

On Friday afternoon, January 8th, the 11 SDSU students arrived back to South Dakota to temperatures about 60 degrees cooler than they experienced the last 10 days in South America. 

However, they were glad to be home to see their family and friends and tell them about their exciting and educational trip. Once student told me as he scrapped the ice off his car in Brookings, "It was the best trip I ever made and I'm so glad I decided to go." 

Chelsea Sweeter was glad to be back to have easy Internet access to check in with her family and tell her she soon would be home.

Our blog from the trip is about complete, but we will share with you a few more photos from some of our last postings that we didn't have a chance yet to post and also a summary of some additional photos. Plus one student will provide a summary reflection of the trip and course.  So make a note to check back in the next week. 

Thanks again to all the supporters of our trip, CHS, SDSU College of Agriculture, and Schuenman Equipment along with individual supporters of the students. 

Dr. B. Lynn Gordon 

Tango Show

   There are many components that make up the Argentine culture, and we got to see quite a bit of it during our stay in the country. The artwork, the music, the food; but we spent one evening focused on a particular type of music and dance: the Tango.



    The tango was born in Argentina from Italian and Spanish influences. It tells the story of a couple's embrace, and it is a very intense and beautiful dance. Our group wasn't too sure about spending the whole evening watching dancers, but their minds quickly changed.




Students getting ready to enjoy their meal before the start of the Tango Show Performance

     It started out with a dinner, and then we sat along a balcony overlooking the stage where the performance took place. Suddenly the music started, and a backdrop of the stage showed performers on horseback. Two live horses came on stage and re-enacted the fight between the Spanish and the Natives. After that, our whole group was entranced. The dance moves kept our attention apt, and the show also included singing and instrumental performances. He was a wonderful singer, but we really enjoyed watching the dancing the best.

    All in all, it was a great evening, and there are some of us who want to learn how to tango now!

Submitted by Lexi Jennings

U.S. Embassy Visit

Our last day in Argentina was concluded with a visit to the United States Embassy. We visited with the Agriculture Embassy team representing the USDA. We discussed the new changes in government with the recent election of a new President for the country of Argentina and its effect on the agriculture sector of the economy.

Some of the major changes in tax structure include the complete elimination of export taxes on all grains, except soybeans which will be reduced five percent each year. To give some perspective, exported corn was taxed at a rate of 20 percent, wheat at 23 percent, and soybeans at 35 percent. Our main host, Lazaro Sandoval, USDA Ag Attaché explained how this will cause a spike in production of corn and wheat while an increase of soy acres will steadily grow over the next few years. This dramatic change comes as a welcome relief for producers that have been under anti-agriculture rule for 12 years and also for the Ag industry as a whole with 55% of total Argentine exports rooting in agriculture.

To a country that is the 3rd largest producer of soybeans in the world with 20 million hectares in production, these changes in the tax system will move the country in a positive direction to become even more competitive in the world market. Also, the new government plans to be more friendly to imports. For example, Kuhn tractor company can't get the parts they need to build tractors because of high import taxes under current policy. The new government plans to reduce these taxes so Argentina farmers can more easily afford new equipment.




U.S. Representatives in photo with SDSU Students: Far left - Lazaro Sandoval, USDA Ag Attache; Center: Kevin Sullivan, Deputy of Special Mission; Far Right - David Mergen, Agricultural Counselor.  

We were honored to visit the U.S. Embassy and meet the team that works on trade issues on behalf of the U.S. We also had the opportunity to have a short visit with the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy, Kevin Sullivan, which was a real treat considering his very busy schedule.

Submitted by Jalen Baldwin and Jacob Baustin

Arrived back in U.S

We have arrived safely to Atlanta on our trek home and will be posting a few final stories and photos in the next couple of days.

Dr. Gordon

Selling Pen by Pen

A view from the catwalk of the pen layout.

Today, my fellow students and I toured the Liniers Livestock Market, located right in the heart of Buenos Aires. This sale barn at one time was the largest in the world, but today, is still competitive at a global level selling an average of 10,000 head of cattle per day. 


There is a huge market for all kinds of beef, but you generally see cattle that have a finished weight from 900 to 1,000 lbs for domestic consumption. In the U.S., cattle are not slaughtered until they reach about 1300 - 1400 lbs. This is because Argentinians prefer leaner beef and smaller cuts. Americans prefer more marbling. 

Cattle are sold by pen and this is an average size of the pens. About 30 head of cattle on average in some of the pens. These are finished cattle that would be about 1,000 lbs.

The livestock market is over 100 years old, but still has impressive facility on 85 acres used for holding pens, catwalks, and chutes for loading and unloading. The cattle are sold in pens ranging anywhere from 1 to 30 head. Each pen is sorted prior to sale, so all the cows in the pen are similar. All the  cattle go directly to slaughter shortly after they are purchased.  We were able to watch this type of sale up close today.

A good view of the buyers up on the catwalk looking down on the pens. Buyers move from pen to pen on the catwalk following the auctioneer as he sells the cattle.