{"id":24990,"date":"2026-05-18T19:12:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T17:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anafric.es\/anafric-highlights-transhumance-as-an-example-of-sustainable-livestock-farming-and-living-tradition-in-spain\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T19:12:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T17:12:36","slug":"anafric-highlights-transhumance-as-an-example-of-sustainable-livestock-farming-and-living-tradition-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anafric.es\/en\/anafric-highlights-transhumance-as-an-example-of-sustainable-livestock-farming-and-living-tradition-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"ANAFRIC highlights transhumance as an example of sustainable livestock farming and living tradition in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANAFRIC echoes the initiative promoted by the Interprofessional Agri-Food Organisation for Sheep and Goat Meat, INTEROVIC<\/span><\/span>, aimed at highlighting transhumance, an ancient livestock practice that remains alive thanks to the efforts of shepherds such as Paco Morgado and Jos\u00e9 Manuel S\u00e1nchez Miguel.<\/p>\n

What is happening?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two of the last transhumant shepherds in Spain have begun a journey on foot together with their Merino sheep flocks from Extremadura to the mountain pastures of Le\u00f3n, in the Picos de Europa. A historic route of nearly 600 kilometres that they will travel over approximately 40 days.<\/p>\n

The initiative is part of the European campaign \u201cCelebrate everyday moments with lamb\u201d, promoted by INTEROVIC, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of extensive livestock farming and transhumance as a sustainable, resilient and territory-linked model.<\/p>\n

\"Trashumancia\"<\/p>\n

Who are the protagonists?<\/strong><\/p>\n

On one hand, Paco Morgado, a 64-year-old transhumant shepherd, has been carrying out this practice for more than 25 years and this year once again travels the livestock routes accompanied by around 1,450 Merino sheep.<\/p>\n

Alongside him, Jos\u00e9 Manuel S\u00e1nchez Miguel, aged 45, is undertaking his third consecutive transhumance journey on foot with a flock of nearly 1,700 Merino sheep.<\/p>\n

Both represent the continuity and generational succession of a livestock activity declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which is becoming increasingly rare due to the lack of generational replacement and the hardship of the profession.<\/p>\n

How do they carry out the journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The shepherds travel between 12 and 14 kilometres daily, adapting each stage to weather conditions, the state of the livestock routes and the needs of the animals.<\/p>\n

The route follows the historic Ca\u00f1ada Leonesa Occidental and crosses different provinces and municipalities in C\u00e1ceres, Toledo, \u00c1vila, Valladolid and Le\u00f3n, until reaching the mountain passes near Ria\u00f1o, where the flocks will remain throughout the summer.<\/p>\n

In addition to moving livestock, transhumance provides highly significant environmental and territorial benefits:<\/p>\n