Federal Support Eludes Queretaro Cattle Ranchers

The cattle ranchers of Querétaro are still bereft of federal support, according to Romualdo Moreno Gutiérrez, the president of the Regional Cattle Ranchers Union of Querétaro. He expressed his dismay at the concentration of subsidies primarily on fertilizers and seasonal workers, overlooking their needs.

The onset of Lent has further exacerbated the situation, causing a 30% dip in the consumption of meat and related products. "The federation has forgotten about agriculture; there is no money, they told us," he stated, highlighting the financial neglect from federal entities.

However, on a hopeful note, Moreno Gutiérrez stressed the positive initiatives by local authorities who have been crafting support schemes in response to challenges such as droughts and inadequate rainfall. "This year, the forage support will return, along with water tankers, and similar initiatives seen last year with oats will continue," he added.

The filtration of Guatemala's cattle due to pest concerns, notably the screwworm, complicates the scenario as it impacts the price and availability of animal protein, further inflating the costs of sheep, pork, and beef in the region.

Despite federal support having ceased seven years ago, there is hope that collaboration with the state government will mitigate some of these hardships.