Spain-Uruguay linked by sheep: from the Adelantados to genomics

---

Since the first sheep arrived in what is now Uruguay, many sociocultural, productive and of course genetic changes have occurred. The sheep links us, it is scientifically proven: It is likely that the first sheep descends from the Churra and the Canarias breeds adapted to the new conditions, giving rise to the development of the Criolla breed, today preserved in few farms (one of them in INIA Las Brujas). Since 1855, the Merino breed also of Spanish origin arrives to Uruguay. At present, the descendants of this breed are the sheep that produce the best wool in the world and that return to Europe to make clothes of the highest quality. The main breed is the Corriedale, also original from crosses with Merino (in Australia and New Zealand). Researches carried out have helped to characterize and determine the origins of the Uruguayan Creole breed together with researchers from INIA Madrid. It has also been helpful in making genetic progress with Merino and Corriedale recently including genomic tools. We seek to continue improving our animals, making them profitable, more productive, with better quality, but also efficient, resistant to parasites, robust and within a sustainable production. These works are the outcome of virtuous interactions of national (e.g. RUMIAR) and international projects (GrassToGas, SMARTER https://www.smarterproject.eu/). The following Spanish institutions are part of the SMARTER project: University of León, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, and the Asociación para la Selección y Mejora Genética de Ovino-Caprino de Castilla y Leon (OVIGEN). Sheep links us culturally: Sheep farmers also have their European origin, with a predominance of Basque surnames (Spanish and French) that have kept the sheep culture alive in the country for several generations beyond conjunctural ups and downs. Today this culture, together with new learning, returns to Spain with the Uruguayan shearers who year after year make their harvest there.