Chilean agricultural authorities initiate mountain grazing season and monitor bee disease

In the Maule region, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) has opened sanitary barriers to begin the 2026-2027 mountain grazing season. In the El Melado sector, approximately 200 producers are expected to move roughly 25,000 sheep, cattle, goats, and horses across 300,000 hectares of terrain. SAG officials are implementing animal traceability programs to monitor the movement of livestock and protect the region's zoosanitary heritage.

Separately, SAG has reported a detection of American foulbrood in Calama. This bacterial disease, caused by Paenibacillus larvae, affects bee larvae and can lead to significant hive losses due to its highly resistant spores. Authorities are currently inspecting apiaries in the area to determine the extent of the outbreak and are advising beekeepers to strengthen biosecurity measures and avoid moving equipment between apiaries to prevent further spread.