Drought sucks life from Argentina's farms

This is San Miguel del Monte, a little over 100km (60 miles) south of Buenos Aires, in the Argentine pampas, the vast grasslands that roll out like an inner sea across thousands of kilometres.

The Salado river, which supplies the local ranches, is now a small stream. Large carp leap desperately in the shallows, trying to find deeper water.

A long-running drought, the worst in 50 years, has exacted a heavy toll and even a brief break in the weather in some areas was unlikely to alleviate the situation.

Cattle ranching has a long history in Argentina and about half the country is used for agriculture.

The country's wealth was built on beef, and Argentines are avid meat-eaters, consuming an astounding average of 70kg (154lb) of beef per person per year.

Cesar Gioia has been ranching in the Salado basin for 25 years. He rides a white stallion and is at ease in the saddle as he monitors his herd of 500 cows and bullocks.

"Look, these cows are emaciated. They should be capable of four or five births, but I will need to sell them because there is no pasture. They won't be able to reproduce because they are too thin," he says.

"If I have to pay for food for them I won't make any profit. They will have to go for corned beef because they are in such bad condition," he adds.

Mr Goia's frustration is clear - he is being forced to slaughter the cows that should have generated next year's herds.

This pattern has been repeated all over the country for two years running.

In the first 10 months of last year, 280,000 more cows than the year before were sent to slaughter.

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