1,100 Hectares Managed: The Successful "Multifunction" Model Created by an Unconventional Entrepreneur

Domingo Colombres is redefining agricultural enterprise with his innovative "multifunction" model, managing 1,100 hectares in Trancas, northern Tucumán, Argentina.

Colombres's business, co-owned with his six siblings, spans five distinct activities: dairy farming, sugarcane cultivation, soybean and corn production, and cattle ranching. This diversification is rooted in a family history that began with his grandfather's sugar mill. After working in the family business, Colombres ventured into dairy farming in Trancas, an area not typically known for it.

The dairy operation utilizes 400 hectares with irrigation, producing an average of 26-27 liters per cow per day. This system involves a mixed approach where cows are milked twice daily, spending time grazing on irrigated alfalfa or oats and consuming corn silage, followed by a ration in a dry lot. Colombres specifically selects moderate-sized Holando cows and inseminates them with bulls from Select Debernardi to ensure ease of calving and productivity. Male calves are raised and fattened to 400 kilograms, with 30% of the milk used by his brother Patricio to produce dulce de leche under the Latatá brand.

The remaining 700 hectares, characterized by hills and natural vegetation, are dedicated to beef cattle breeding. This area, planted with buffel grass, supports 200 breeding cows and young cattle, bringing the total herd to approximately 600 animals. The Colombres family has also leveraged their Holando steer production into another venture: opening a butcher shop in Tucumán specializing in Holando cuts, in partnership with other producers.

Colombres's strategic approach addresses the region's challenging rainfall patterns, where 80% of the 400 millimeters annual precipitation occurs between December and March, causing issues like mud, foot problems, and road damage. By carefully managing calving seasons to avoid the peak wet period, he mitigates these operational difficulties. His integrated model not only optimizes land use but also creates multiple revenue streams, demonstrating a forward-thinking and resilient agricultural business.