Resilience and opportunity in Paraguay’s Chaco

After three consecutive years of drought, recent rainfall has substantially transformed ranching conditions at our Yacyretá farm in Paraguay’s Chaco. Soils have rehydrated, and forage has responded with strong growth, setting the stage for a productive spring and summer. Some newly planted pastures briefly flooded, but they sit on higher ground and show clear signs of recovery.

Logistical challenges remain part of operating in the remote Chaco. The rains tested infrastructure across the region, cutting off access and delaying the movement of supplies and livestock. Yet these conditions also create opportunities: farms that can operate effectively in such an environment stand to benefit from both increased productivity and rising cattle prices, now around $4.20/kg of carcass weight.

Shifting weather patterns reinforce the need for resilient, adaptable food systems that can perform reliably despite volatility. We have followed this approach at Yacyretá since taking over operations in 2018.

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