Ranch Operations
Estancia El Palenque has a storied history as a cattle ranch with a cow/calf operation of 450 mother cows with capacity of up to 600, as stated by the current owner. The cattle operation is currently leased back to a local rancher, whose grandmother owned and operated the ranch when he was a boy. With nostalgic ties to the land, this manager is a wonderful steward and aims to operate the ranch in the traditional Argentine way, just as it was by his grandparents years ago. His cowboys, or “gauchos”, know the landscape well and live on the ranch year round, shepherding their cattle on the range daily. The English speaking manager is a man of many talents, as a well-educated veterinarian, an artful craftsman, skillful chef, and also an Olympic downhill ski racer, he is a joy to work with and a true asset to the ranch.
Ranching is still very much a way of life in Argentina. Nearby ranchers support one another with annual branding events, weaning of calves, the sharing of bulls, and they take great pride in maintaining the tradition of sharing their labor and knowledge with their community.
Facilities
The operational improvements have been maintained with exquisite care taking into account the layout, the historical integrity, practical use and attractiveness of the homestead compound. Corrals, loafing sheds, and other cattle handling facilities allow Estancia El Palenque to be a terrific standalone enterprise. The elevated eastern mountainside plateau serves as the summer range for the cattle with plenty of natural grazing forage. The cows are pulled off of the mountain in the fall and spend their winter in the protected valley.
Timber
Revenues are also derived from the sale of harvested Ponderosa Pines. Incentivized by the Argentine government, thousands of trees were planted in specified areas years ago and are harvested and replanted annually in order to manage an ongoing and sustainable timber operation.