23/07/2026 04:48 - Actualidad
The 138th Exhibition of Livestock, Agriculture, and International Industry of Palermo, held during July 2026, once again served as the stage for a historic milestone for Argentine Patagonia. A ram from Estancia Coy Aike, located in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz, was crowned the Grand Champion Corriedale, receiving the competition's highest honor.
To understand the context for international readers, the Palermo Fair is Argentina's most prestigious agricultural event, equivalent to major global livestock expositions. The winning animal, boasting an exceptional wool fineness of 29.6 microns, defeated a medium-wool sheep from the Buenos Aires province on the judging circuit. This achievement is no coincidence: the same animal had already been crowned Grand Champion at the Rio Gallegos Rural Exhibition, consolidating a double recognition that reaffirms Santa Cruz's genetic excellence.
To grasp the magnitude of this prize, it is key to know that the Corriedale is one of the world's most important dual-purpose (meat and wool) sheep breeds, and the most widespread in the Patagonian region. Its thick, crossbred wool is highly valued in the textile industry. Achieving a fineness of 29.6 microns speaks to an impeccable and sustained genetic improvement effort over time.
Founded in 1897 by Mauricio Braun, Estancia Coy Aike is one of the most emblematic agricultural establishments in Patagonia. With over a century of history in sheep production, it has established itself as an undisputed benchmark in the genetic improvement of the Corriedale breed.
Currently, the administration is managed by Engineer Rodrigo Garcia, while Brian Watson, technical director of the stud farm, was responsible for presenting the champion specimen during the judging. The evaluation featured the prestigious gaze of the Argentine Association of Corriedale Breeders, the Corriedale Association of Uruguay, the Brazilian Association of Corriedale, and the Argentine Rural Society.
In the coming days, this exceptional specimen could participate in the auction within the framework of the Palermo Rural Exhibition or continue its journey at the Bahia Blanca Rural Exhibition. Its eventual commercialization would allow the incorporation of Santa Cruz genetics into production establishments in other Argentine provinces, and even in Uruguay and Brazil, expanding the prestige and development opportunities for Argentine sheep production.
Source: TiempoSur
Alfredo S. Quiroga
