INTA study estimates costs of evacuating livestock from Paraná islands

A study by the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) has detailed the significant economic burden placed on cattle producers due to the rising levels of the Paraná River. Based on research conducted in Entre Ríos and Santa Fe, the report calculates that evacuating 500 head of cattle under normal conditions costs approximately 20.52 million pesos.

Costs escalate significantly depending on the severity of the river's rise. If the evacuation occurs during a flood alert, the expense increases to 25.92 million pesos. In the event of a generalized emergency evacuation, the cost rises to 29.52 million pesos, largely driven by increased fluvial transport expenses.

The study emphasizes that these figures represent only a baseline. Additional costs not included in the primary transport estimate include land transport, weight loss, sanitary expenses, mortality, and damage to facilities. Furthermore, once animals reach mainland, producers face substantial ongoing costs for food and shelter. In areas like Villa Urquiza, emergency feeding costs can reach 90,000 pesos per animal per month, potentially adding 38 million pesos in monthly expenses for a herd of 500.