The name “La Pampa” is illusive to the imagination, for sure making everybody thinking about a wide plain and its inhabitants. The area is large (750.000km2) covering the southern states of Brazil, the whole country of Uruguay, but the biggest part of Pampas is located in Argentina. The name “pampa” origins from a Quechua (Inca-language) word meaning “flat surface” and the most important economical activities are cultivation of grain and beef production.
The breed of cows on the estancia we visited is solely Angus, probably considered to produce the best beef in the world. The cattle is traditionally grazing during 3 years on natural grass on the wild plains and weigh at the age of 3 years around 400 kgs. The meat is absolutely organic, tender and delicious. Nowadays, unfortunately it has become increasingly common to feed cows artificially to speed up the meat production process and send the animal to slaughter after only one year. The quality of the meat produced is of course completely different as well as the quality of life for the cattle itself. But this was not the case in the Estancia we visited that still work with the traditional method.
The emblematic figure of the Pampa is the Gaucho. He is a national symbol of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and is known for being a skilled horseman. In the past the Gauchos were nomads, working on freelance contracts roaming around to find temporary work to slaughter the animals in different farms. Today most are connected to a specific farm or “Estancia”, being paid agricultiral workers taking care of the land, the horses and the cattle. The relation to the horse is close and strong and man/ horse learn to trust 100% in each other. This can be experienced in what is called “Doma India” a kind of “horse whispering” interaction man/ horse. The more recognized a gaucho is the more silver coins he has on his leather belt. The most important item for the gaucho is a big and sharp knife that is naturally his working tool. Another is the guitar since music is a part of the gaucho lifestyle.
