“It's almost eight in the morning, it's time to leave. The fences 4.000 Merino sheep that make up Joaquín Ortíz's livestock they begin this year's transterminance. Three stages ahead divided into the same weekend: two on Saturday and one on Sunday. This year a large group of curious people will accompany the herd and the shepherds of what is considered one of the best livestock farms of this breed worldwide.. Camino Limia has a lot to do with it. With Ortiz, both work on the genetic improvement of their animals, present in more than 70% of Merino breed livestock. «We have been doing this journey for three decades», remember Limia.

After some brief instructions, The procession leaves with the sheep from the Delgados farm in the direction of the Cordel de Sevilla. Meanwhile, Entire families strive to follow the steps of the sheep while enjoying nature and taking the opportunity to immortalize the moment.. This year the collaboration between this agricultural and livestock company from Metelina and the Don Benito City Council has allowed all people who wish to accompany the animals during the entire route or part of it.. A bus has even been provided to bring participants closer to the starting points.”

During the first part of the tour, of medium difficulty, Joaquín Ortiz and Camino Limia explain why transterminance is carried out. «Taking them from one term to another allows us to make better use of resources for animals», they assure. Yes indeed, «transterminancy and transhumance are not the same», remember. While transterminance consists of carrying out livestock movements within the same term or less than 100 kilometers, transhumance consists of making much broader and longer movements, of more than 100 kilometers. In any case, the importance of both is evident. "It is an obsolete activity that must be preserved", they emphasize.”

After the first two hours of travel it is time to stop along the way. A good cauldron of crumbs already awaits the walkers, to which new ones are added. A well-deserved extra energy boost. And the objective of this activity in collaboration with the Dombenitese council is none other than "bringing Merino livestock closer to young people, Let them see that it is not a job from the past, "But it adapts to modern life and in which we use new technologies". And so much so. During the tour, a drone flies over the herd while monitoring and recording the movements of the animals. "We must be up to date", asevera Limia.

Some livestock animals have a built-in GPS collar that allows them to calculate the distance traveled., but whose fundamental mission will be fulfilled once the animals are finished. «These devices allow us better management of our flock. It tells us if there are any stray sheep, alerts us of possible vermin attacks, etc», explains.

to south america

And if that were not enough, They have enabled a website to be able to follow the transterminance live, which has many followers in South American countries like Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay, according to Camino Limia.

«Long live the merino sheep!!», could be heard among the group of people that accompanied the herd as it passed through the Lobo mine., in the municipality of Haba. The little ones, excited about an activity unknown to many of them, infected the elderly along a path with steep sections, who made the companions of a herd incessant in their rhythm give their best. All this until reaching the end of a route that concluded with the tasting of a delicious merino lamb stew from Joaquín Ortiz's livestock.. Today, Sunday, they finish with the third stage.