Parque Natural de Urkiola · Ayuntamiento de Abadiño

The Urkiola Natural Park

Stockbreeding

Stockbreeding is one of the oldest traditional activities within the Urkiola Natural Park and has contributed greatly to the shaping of the current Urkiola landscape.

There are areas (Mugarrakolanda, Urkiolamendi, Saibi, Zabalandi y Tellamendi) where the livestock is extensively grazed. There are basically two types of livestock: sheep (Latxa breed, used mainly for its milk) and larger livestock (cattle and horses, used for meat production). Shepherds are not allowed to accompany the livestock.

There are twelve different zones of livestock management, each of which has its own specific problems and characteristics. The following table sets out the livestock census for each category.

The measures taken so far have been aimed at improving and conserving the pastureland, by clearing thickets and using fertilisers.

In some cases, previous conifer plantations have been converted into pastureland. One example is Eskuagatx, used extensively by the livestock and is at a height between 800 and 900 m, which is the limit for growing conifer plantations.

In conjunction with the Gorbeialde and Urkiola mountain agricultural association, improvements have been made to the stockbreeding infrastructure, such as building cattle pens, watering through, health facilities, etc.

2006 - 2007 © Anteiglesia de Abadiño Town Council - All rights reserved