By Adopting Wildlife-Friendly and Land-Friendly Techniques, Producers from Zapala Improved Their Sales of Merino Wool

Since the international Wildlife Friendly™ certification granted in the country by WCS Argentina, the production of this fiber increased its market value by 15%. This endorsement is a result of the implementation of livestock practices that promote coexistence with wildlife in the Patagonian steppe and carry out regenerative use of soils. The process is supported by the Neuquén Province Undersecretariat of Production and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA).

Thursday November 30, 2023 – The Agricultural Cooperative of Commercialization of Small Producers of Central Neuquén, based in Zapala, achieved an important sale of merino wool in October by adding a series of sustainable practices to their production process that are friendly to the biodiversity of the Patagonian steppe.

By promoting the coexistence between sheep and wildlife populations—such as pumas, foxes, and andean cats—forty-five producers from the Cooperative have already obtained the international Wildlife Friendly™ certification granted by WCS Argentina, an organization that works to conserve wild species and wilderness throughout the country. This certification strengthens the positioning of these fibers in the international market, and increased their sale price by 15%.

“It is the result of having made a radical change in the way we address the problems that producers have in this area, such as predation by foxes and pumas,” comments Mario Forman, a producer from Neuquén and member of the aforementioned Cooperative.

Isabel, productora de ganado ovino y caprino, y Pirén, su perra protectora de ganado. Crédito:  Gregorio Ibañez.
Isabel, sheep and goat herder, and Pirén, her livestock guardian dog. Credit: Gregorio Ibañez.
LIVESTOCK STRATEGIES IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

Many wild species live in the Patagonian steppe, many of them threatened. Although the steppe might seem untamed and timeless, human activities have altered its vegetation, soil, and wildlife throughout the years. The international Wildlife Friendly™certification motivates producers to transform their practices in service of more sustainable and regenerative livestock farming.

Through the joint efforts of producers, state agencies like the Neuquén Undersecretariat of Production and INTA, and civil society organizations like WCS Argentina, strategies for promoting the coexistence between livestock farming and wildlife are being developed and implemented. For example, non-lethal methods are being used to control the predation of sheep and goats by pumas, foxes, and other wild steppe carnivores. An efficient technique is the use of livestock guardian dogs, who form familial bonds with the livestock and protect it, keeping carnivores away and reducing predation by up to 95%.

“Predator attacks are common, and losses are significant. We adopted this tool because all our lives we hunted and trapped, but we never reduced our losses. With dogs, we can live alongside carnivores and also protect what we produce,” provides Flavio Castillo, another producer from the area.

The certification also recognizes resource management that favors regenerative grazing, which is based on diverse methodologies that stimulate soil and pasture restoration. Additionally, by reducing losses from predation, the total amount of livestock decreases, avoiding overgrazing. Both decisions help to mitigate the impact of climate change in the region.

These kinds of collaborative projects are essential for scaling up this proposal, expanding its reach, and promoting public policies. Marcos Lauge, director of livestock and animal health of the Neuquén Undersecretariat of Production, remarks that “at the government level, we made the decision of proposing long-term solutions. In the case of livestock guardian dogs, their effectiveness was demonstrated overwhelmingly, and those results promoted the creation of breeding programs for the province and the launch of very accessible lines of credit for producers to acquire them. In this manner, we promote a very beneficial methodology, both for the producer and for the environment.” The Wildlife Friendly™ certification was declared of Provincial Interest by the Neuquén legislative chamber (Declaration 3092 of the year 2021).

Zorro gris. Crédito: Diego Cabanas - AFONA
South American gray fox. Credit: Diego Cabanas – AFONA
FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE TO THE SHOP WINDOW

Merino wool is a natural fiber produced by Merino-breed sheep; it’s finer and softer than regular wool and offers many benefits because of its warmth, lightness, and softness. It adapts to many uses, from high fashion pieces to resistant outdoor clothes.

Sustainable practices in sheep farming enhance the quality of the wool, and they are valued by a sector of the textile industry interested in offering garments made from natural fibers as an alternative to synthetic ones.

“It’s very gratifying that, in addition to participating in steppe conservation, producers can now receive a concrete benefit like obtaining a higher income for their work, while also contributing to improving the natural wool market,” emphasizes Ezequiel Infantino, certification and value chain coordinator for WCS Argentina.

The origin of fibers and their method of production create a distinction for designers and textile companies committed to the environment. In turn, consumers, the final link in the chain, are increasingly interested in products certified in quality and sustainability.

“The market is beginning to demand these kinds of production methods, which in our case have been developing for several years already. It’s encouraging for us because we see the improvement in prices as a form of recognition of environmentally responsible work,” concludes Santiago Trova, an expert from the Neuquén Undersecretariat of Production.

Productor de la Cooperativa Agropecuaria de Comercialización de Pequeños Productores de la Zona Centro de Neuquén.
Producer from the Agricultural Cooperative of Commercialization of Small Producers of Central Neuquén.
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