“We estimate that the worse losses are along the mountainous terrain between 1,000 and 1,300 meters above sea level, while at sea level we can expect sheep mortality in the range of 30%”.
Snowstorms and frosts in the high areas of the Argentine Patagonia
Rio Negro province could cause the death of 70% of the flock, according to estimates from the provincial Livestock Secretariat, Tabaré Bassi.
Together with technicians from the Agriculture Technology Institute, INTA, officials made a first estimate of losses in the snow covered highlands next to the cordillera, but will have to wait until October to have a more exact estimate.
"Any how we are talking of at least 100,000 sheep and 5,000 cattle".Bassi called for prudence in assessing the dimension of the losses, but did admit that the victims of the intense snow fall followed by frosts are mostly small farmers, with flocks no larger than 250 head, "which makes it a serious survival challenge".
Comment: Elsewhere in India on the same day a strike killed 3 young men in Rajasthan and a farmer was fatally struck in Odisha.