The president of the Agropecuaria de Salto highlighted that in addition to the rural and commercial aspects, the exhibition had a notorious human component, with the meeting of those who had not seen each other for a long time
From 29 September to 2 October, the Salto Agricultural Association (AAS) organized the 114th edition of Expo Salto, the most important rural, commercial and cultural event in that area of the country, and one of the most important on the north coast.
This was stated by Ramiro Azambuja, president of Agropecuaria Salta The morning that the institution is 121 years old and the exhibition has been held for 114 years. In the years of the pandemic it was not suspended, but the health restrictions we all know had to be adopted, so this year was the first time that it was fully opened, without limitations. “That’s why we say it was the reunion expo, and it’s not just a title or a symbolic name”, but people actually participated with that spirit: “We saw people hugging, excited, country people see little, and in the human sense that the reunion was very positive, “he described.
Expo Salto has “a lot of livestock presence”, however “in recent years the commercial and artistic exponent has grown”, in which Azambuja highlighted the work of Carlos Ardaix as organizer and director of the AAS Exhibition Sebastián Goncalves.
The accompanied public, about 18,000 people visited the venue, «is a very important number to which we must add another 1,000 people who take care of the stalls, and another 500 between producers and tickets that are offered as a courtesy. There were several kilometers of cars parked, it was a very special experience ”.
Market adjustments and absence of rainfall
From a production point of view, the participation of 118 cattle (Hereford and Polled Hereford, Aberdeen Agus, Brangus, Normando and Braford), 84 sheep (Merino and Poll Merino, Corriedale, Ideal, Poll Dorset and Merilin) and 16 stallions farms (Criollos and Appaloosa), animals from renowned huts in the area.
“The cattle breeders were mainly Hereford and Aberdeen Angus; and an important fact for the AAS is that the Hereford National will be held there next fall. It is important because the region, including Paysandú and Artigas, has a very good Hereford presence, ”he assessed.
Returning to Expo Salto, two virtual auctions were held, Thursday and Saturday, and although the sales were not bad, the impact of prices in the livestock market and in the wool market was felt, as well as the lack of rainfall.
As far as prices are concerned, there is not much to do, in the livestock sector the market is the host with constantly updated values and the tendency is for prices to fall, and wool makes its price internationally at very low values.
The sheep producer notes “that if the wool is not less than 18 microns, the prices are not passed directly, and this complicates many people for the importance of wool production, particularly in this area. We are worried, but we can’t do much ”to change it, he said.
Along with falling prices, “there is the possibility of a dry season which will make things more difficult. It hasn’t rained here for 20 mm in a month, and this is an apartment where you can feel the sun. I don’t want to send a catastrophic message, but it affects the market, people are cautious when they buy ”because they know they will need water and weed.
Support received
Azambuja also highlighted that the multipurpose room with a capacity of 200 people in the Agropecuaria de Salto property was reopened, “it was built with the latest technologies and was very interesting”, generating the possibility of carrying out different activities or meetings, which end up favoring the entire department. “It is an important milestone that has been reached with the collaboration of the Mixed Technical Commission of Salto Grande”.
In this context, he also thanked for the support and appreciated the presence of the “shops in the area, the presence of the artisans”, which seems a minor detail but in reality is not due to the difficult time these sectors are going through. “In Salto, trade is bad, there are those who want to close because they cannot deal with the problem caused by the exchange rate difference with Argentina, it is very difficult for them to go on, and they were supporting Expo Salto”.
Jumping Sheep
In August of this year, a new Sheep Jump was held, organized by the Asociación Agropecuaria de Jovenes de Salto.
Azambuja said that it is an independent event compared to the Expo Salto and that it is the young people who are in charge of carrying out that event: “They organized it with a lot of dedication and responsibility” and even if the weather was not the best because just that weekend It was very cold and it developed very well.
“It is something that makes us proud because it shows the commitment of young people”, he added, and they did so with the highest level and the presence of prestigious institutions such as the National Institute of Meat (INAC), the Uruguayan Wool Secretariat ( SUL), the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), the Society of Veterinary Medicine of Uruguay (SMVU).
Strong competition from lambs was also developed, with the Daymán Meat refrigerator taking care of the slaughtering and purchasing of the animals.
“Salto Ovino has an important future”, he assured, especially “taking into account the importance of sheep in the area”, he concluded.
Expo Jump 2022
Expo Salto has become a reference activity for the Salto department as a productive event, but also an economic, cultural and social one.
As such, it received a visit from the Secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Delgado; also by the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fishing, Fernando Mattos, and by the Undersecretary Ignacio Buffa, in addition to the deputy of Cabildo Abierto, Rodrigo Albernaz.
What is striking is the absence of the mayor of Salto, Andrés Lima. as far as he could tell The morning, Lima usually does not participate. And it is not a question of whether a representative of the Intendency did it, but of the value and symbolism that the person of the mayor has, adhering to and supporting what the people of Salta do and who has been an active and living part of the department, for more than a century.
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