Domingo Colombres manages 1,100-hectare multifunctional farm in Argentina

Domingo Colombres manages a 1,100-hectare multifunctional agricultural enterprise in Trancas, located in northern Tucumán, Argentina. The family-owned business, operated by six siblings, integrates five different activities to optimize land use.

Of the total area, 400 hectares are dedicated to irrigated dairy production, while the remaining 700 hectares consist of hills and woodland used for cattle breeding. The dairy operation utilizes a mixed system where 603 cows graze on irrigated alfalfa or oats in the morning and are moved to dry lot corrals with rations after the afternoon milking. This method allows the farm to achieve an annual average of 26-27 liters per cow per day despite the region's challenging climate.

To mitigate issues caused by heavy seasonal rainfall between December and March—such as mud, hoof problems, and difficult births—the farm manages calving schedules to avoid the peak rainy period. The operation utilizes moderate-sized Holando cows inseminated with Select Debernardi bulls to prioritize productivity and ease of calving. Additionally, male calves are raised and fattened to 400 kilograms.