"Filling the fridge": The forage contractor Emilio Gahan believes that his activity is the key for the northern Argentine

If you have to define his profession that he has been practicing for 15 years in the town of Las Lajitas, Salta, Emilio Gahan says what he does is "fill the refrigerator." But not his own—or not directly—but first and foremost the one for the cows and bulls, because as a forage contractor, he produces grains and "chops" them to convert them into the food that is then used by the cattle or dairy industry. And the ultimate goal may be productive intensification—which in that area of northern Argentina is also advancing steadily with the proliferation of feedlots—but, fundamentally, the forage there is a reserve to get through the year. "We have an Amazonian climate and it only rains in summer. So we have to cover that food gap with reserves," Emilio assured. So, what he does is fill the freezer, which is used during the months when it does not rain and, therefore, there are no pastures to feed the animals. That is why his activity ends up being key to the cattle production in the ...