Garcipollera Research Farm

The Garcipollera experiment station is located in a valley of the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain. Extensive research is being done on both cattle and sheep to find out about feeding rations and feeding efficiency. The main research right now is focusing on calves. The experimental set of calves is separated from their mothers, except during specified visitation periods each day. All the cattle are provided with varying rates of supplements that are placed in the alfalfa hay they are fed. The first picture below illustrates a row of cattle lined up feeding on the supplemented alfalfa hay.

The two main breeds of cattle used in the region are separated in the cattle lots of Garcipollera to find if they will have different rate of gains under the same feeding rations. During warmer parts of the year, some of the cattle are sent up to graze in the high hills surrounding the farm. All of the cattle are monitored very closely to keep the research accurate and provide farmers with the most reliable results possible.

The research currently being done at Garcipollera is designed to help small farms in the area make their systems more efficient and find ways to cut their costs. This information is very important for the small farmers who make their livelihood with only a small operation of production livestock. Research results are distributed to large farms and extension services as well, so that all agricultural producers can take full advantage of the research at Garcipollera.

Cattle lined up for feeding

The Cattle Lot in Garcipollera

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