El Salvador Subsidizes Cattle Feed as Drought Cuts Milk Output

El Salvador’s government plans to sell cattle feed at US$14 per quintal to small-scale ranchers affected by the lack of pasture and water. The announced price applies to feed intended for producers dealing with conditions linked to the drought.

The measure is directed at small livestock producers rather than the wider agricultural sector. The available information does not specify the quantity of feed to be sold, the number of farmers eligible to purchase it, or the date when sales will begin.

Rainfall has stopped for extended periods in some parts of the country. Authorities recorded as many as 28 consecutive days without rain in certain areas, according to the report. The dry spell has coincided with reduced access to the pasture and water used by cattle.

Pasture shortages affect the feed available to livestock, while limited water supplies add another difficulty for cattle farmers. The government’s planned sales address the availability of feed through a fixed price of US$14 per quintal. No other form of assistance is specified.

Milk producers have warned that dairy output is falling. Their warning links the reported decline in milk production to the conditions affecting cattle, including the shortage of pasture and water. The report does not provide a national production figure or quantify the reduction in output.

The information also gives no details of regional differences, the duration of the feed-sales plan, or the government’s estimate of its cost. It records the feed price, the affected group, the maximum reported dry period and producers’ warning about lower milk production.