Video
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Juan Ramon Giraldo Arciniegas shares the history, philosophy, and management of his family’s Normando cow/calf operation. They graze, milk, and manage a herd of approximately 400 head in the central Colombian highlands where elevations range from 2200 meters to nearly 3000 meters above sea level.
Normando cows were brought to Colombia about 140 years ago. They have proven a rugged, dual-purpose breed capable of grazing the steep hillsides of the cloud forest rangeland.
Erosion is a primary concern in this region and mitigation requires considerable year-round management. The forage of choice here is kikuyu, a rhizome African grass that helps prevent erosion, handles heat and low ph soils, and has a high nutritional value. Here Juan Ramon is explaining his management practices as he guides the group.
LEAD fellows Andrew Bellamy and Curtis Welsh admire the breathtaking views from the slope of a cloud forest mountain. This area of the farm is situated at about 2700 meters or nearly 8900 feet above sea level.
A replica branding station stands just down the hill from the main house. The space is adorned with brands from the region and historic tools of the industry.
The roads here aren’t really roads. After a wet and rough drive down a greasy mountain two-track, the LEAD fellows arrive at the main hacienda.
LEAD 40 was treated to a walking tour and oral history of the farm and the region. The hacienda is superb and comfortable and constructed to showcase the natural wonders of the surroundings.
Senor and Senora Arciniegas answer questions on the rooftop of their home. They are first generation farmers. Part of his family immigrated from Austria in the 1930s and 1940s and were primarily academics. LEAD fellows pictured: Chris Grams, Steve Landon, Mitch Oswald.
The LEAD ladies pile into our host's SUV for a slightly smoother ride out to the main entrance with Senora Arciniegas.
LEAD 40 poses for a group shot in the cloud forest.
Stephanie Schuler and Stephanie Nelson present our host with gifts from Nebraska. Also pictured: Tim Hashman and Mitch Oswald.
Director Terry Hejny with our gracious host.
Happy birthday, Mitch!!!
Jose Restrepo explains the global flower growing business with LEAD40. His company, Ayura, is a global entity growing and distributing flowers to over 100 countries.
The primary flowers grown under Ayura’s 30ha of greenhouses are carnations and roses. The grow operation is a complex and well orchestrated system that produces stems for distribution around the globe.
LEAD fellow, Abe Smith, discusses the agronomic and business operations of Senor Restrepo’s flower operation.
Pink carnations are most popular at Mother’s Day. But the flowers bloom twice a year. Instead of throwing away the second cutting, Ayura tints them and sells them to a thriving Korean market.
Ayura employs approximately 700 workers from the region. Labor is a challenge similar to US ag production. To attract labor the Restrepo family has taken a more progressive approach to employment. Ayura offers benefits not always afforded workers in Colombia such as youth camps for children of employees, savings plans and work life balance initiatives.
Ayura is part of a much larger corporate footprint that includes dairy and beef production, cropping systems, and real estate investments. Pictured are LEAD fellows entering Senor Restrepo’s stables.
Jose Restrepo gives a tour of his draft horse breeding operation. He has a program consisting of three breeds of draft horses (Percheron, Shire, and Clydesdale) and a prized spotted jack. The Restrepo’s market semen from their stallions and ship globally while also maintaining their own internal breeding operations. Coincidentally, one of their prized stallions originated in Nebraska.
Getting to meet Indian - The strongest draft horse in Colombia who pulled a record 1600+ kg in competition.