Drought threatens the survival of sheep and goat farms in Catalonia, Spain

Young Farmers and Cattle Farmers of Catalonia (JARC) warn of the serious difficulties suffered by sheep and goat farms in various areas of the Catalan territory due to the persistent drought. Recent data show that the most affected livestock production areas, such as the central and southern regions of the province of Lleida, Priorat, Terra Alta, Ribera d’Ebre, Baix Camp, Conca de Barberà, Anoia and the south of Barcelona, ​​​​are facing an unprecedented crisis. Although this year the price of raw materials has fallen slightly, many farms, especially those with smaller economic margins, depend almost exclusively on pastures, which have been seriously affected by the lack of rainfall. The drought has been worsening the prices of fodder for three years, especially in areas such as the Empordà, where production is limited by irrigation restrictions and the lack of water. Added to this is the problem of water wells, which in many farms have hit rock bottom, forcing farmers to depend ...