El Cotillo

Before 2003, what I had was poor for meat: the farm had a lot of stone, the facilities were in ruins, there was a high risk of fires, the holm oaks were poorly maintained, we did not have a line in the vegetation, pruning of Maintenance was not given, so it did not produce so much acorn. As for wildlife, let's not see many animals, now we can find more different species. Biodiversity has increased: now there are more rabbits and partridges, food of a species as threatened as the Iberian lynx, which is often observed on the farm. Carrying out cleaning and cultural treatments of the vegetation on the farm has saved many oak specimens. Introducing Livestock: Livestock has significantly reduced the risk of fire as it reduces fuel.

• the mortality of oak specimens has been reduced thanks to the silvicultural treatments.
• the risk of fire has been reduced.

No aid was requested, and the farm has become profitable by force of farmer work. The farmer is a person who has dedicated his life to the field and has great knowledge. He decided to buy the farm to invest in it and start it up. He has had advice on the topic of rural activity through the rural development group of the region (PRODECAN). Also the Agrarian Regional Office of Linares.

It is necessary to have some previous knowledge of the field to start an operation of this type. In this case it was for farmer family that he was dedicated to it, but through courses.

Description of used technics during establishing of agroforestry systems

The most abundant is the holm oak, with little coppice woodland (about 3-4 ha of cistus spp., lentiscus, which is in the north of the farm). Also arboreal specimens of acebuche. There may be more than 300 trees. As for the livestock load, there is an average per year between 100 and 120 UGM (Units of Livestock).  

Threats/Challenges

• Facing diseases such as dry oak produced by fungi (Diplodia spp. and Hyposilum spp.) A feeling of helplessness is felt because little can be done for the sick individuals. Pruning treatments and destruction of dead parts are done. At the moment they are not replenishing specimens of oak because growth is very slow and they need many years to form. Sometimes, bulls can damage the bark with horns, generating a potential focus of diseases.
• The field is abandoned and there are not many environmental and livestock support. The fighting bull is becoming less profitable because the number of bull fighting related festivities is decreasing year by year and so do the public aids. For this reason, sometimes fighting bulls are replaced by Iberian pig, which is also good for maintaining forests. Nevertheless, also in the case of Iberian pig there is a lack of aid from public authorities to make the farm profitable (aid to adapt facilities for the Iberian pig). Market prices also put Iberian pig farming at risk.
• The new generations do not want to work in the rural environment and more directly in the field, because it is a very hard work, without schedules, it can be dangerous because of the fights between bulls, because you have to handle them, etc. To work on this you have to have a lot of vocation and also the effort is not financially compensated, so there are no attractions.

The farm, initially, was in a state of abandonment by having cattle in intensive. The current situation is very different: biodiversity has increased, now there are many more rabbits and partridges, food of a species as threatened as the Iberian lynx, which is often observed on the farm. Carrying out cleaning and cultural treatments of the vegetation on the farm has saved many oak specimens. Introducing Livestock Livestock has significantly reduced the risk of fire as it reduces fuel. It is necessary that the Administration get involved much more so that the owners of meadows and cattle ranches carry out actions aimed at putting value on the farms and that actions aimed at the protection of the natural environment and the increase of biodiversity are carried out. Future plans The future is to keep the bull fighting, take advantage of the fattening of Iberian pig, take advantage of ovejas, nature tourism that wants to know the management of animals that live extensively. It is imperative that new generations get excited and see that they can live in the countryside, because young people leave from rural areas to cities.

Workers are people who have been raised in the field and have practical knowledge and experience gained from their ancestors. People with knowledge in business administration, internet, etc. are also needed to comply with regulations.

Farmer recommendation:

“In the moments that we are, with the difficulties that are there to start an operation of this type, I would not recommend anyone to start something like this, although it is essential to take care and value the pasture. Administrations should support this sector and care more about it to encourage young people to join agriculture and livestock”