Join Ross Keane on a Quadrant Agricultural Tour of South America in October

South America is an Agricultural Powerhouse, and in 3 weeks we get to experience a snapshot of this continent. We get to visit the southern part of Chile for a couple of days, which receives approximately 1.2 mtrs of rain every winter. So pastures are similar to Southern Australia, with both Beef and Dairy farms visited.

We then cross over the Andes Mountains by the little known, but incredible “Lakes Crossing”. This includes 3 Boat rides through snow capped Crater Lakes and 4 small bus rides in-between, before arriving in the famous Patagonia area of Argentina. Often called Switzerland of the South, it is very picturesque. Then fly onto 2.9 million population capital, Buenos Aires.

This is followed by a 3 day journey through the World renown Pampas Grasslands of Argentina. The Pampas is a 750,000 Square Km black soil plain, with an average rainfall of 20 inches or more, and is home to many crops as well as extensive numbers of cattle and horses.

Another short flight, for a 2 day stop over at the famous Iguaza Falls, which has to be seen to be believed. This is the largest waterfall system in the world, stretching over 2.7km, and dropping 82 metres to the Parana River water system below.

Then its onto the Portuguese Brazil. Its land mass alone is bigger than Australia, and receives annual rainfall of between 1 to 1.5 metres, mostly in summer. Little wonder it is the Worlds largest exporter of Beef, Sugar Cane, Soy Beans, and Coffee. Its cattle herd is the second largest in the World at 226 million animal, almost  8 times larger than the total Australian herd.

We travel by Bus for a few days visiting various diverse agricultural enterprises as we go, so that we can experience how farming is done in this country. A visit to JBS Lins Processing facility is a highlight. This is amongst the worlds best value added businesses on the one site. Besides the traditional cattle slaughter and bone, we also get to see factories where the product is packaged for the retail market, whether it be fresh, is cans, soup pouches, sausage and small-goods. At this facility, they also generate their own power, tan their own hides, and have a can making facility.

The tour then finishes with a venture onto Rio de Janeiro, where we see all the famous sights, like Sugar Loaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer Statue, and of course the Copacabana Beach.

For those who are interested, there is also an opportunity to visit Peru and explore the fascinating Machu Picchu.