He is a marine engineer, invested with his family in the countryside and today works with 4 different breeds of livestock.

Javier Pico’s story inside Argentine cattle ranching has a personal element that spans generations. Pico is a marine engineer and leads an economic group dedicated to maritime, railway and technological activities, but for nearly thirty years he has supported a project that has become his field of affiliation: livestock farming. He does this with his wife, Maria Griselda Diaz, And his daughters, Lucrezia and Miain a family model that increased in size over time and the dynasties diversified and became a reference for different regions of the country.

The agricultural project began in 1997 when The family acquired its first field in the Bordenavi-Darigueira regionIn the Puan party. Over the years, new institutions have been added in that city, such as in Canuelas, a city I know well both as an indigenous person and because part of my family lives there.

This regional expansion was accompanied by a clear vision: Building a sustainable production activity, with a strong genetic base and its own identity. To streamline the operation, they created Acción Agropecuaria Pampeana SA, where today they run the entire livestock business under the Cabaña La Trinidad brand.

The relationship they have with part of their family influenced the decision to invest in this field. “My wife is the daughter of a butcher and a butcher; I have always been close to agricultural activity. We went fishing with friends who had fields. Little by little we started to get excited about the idea of ​​getting involved, and that’s how we started three decades ago,” he recalls in an interview with Clarin Rural.

The first step was Angus, the main breed that dominates Argentine fields.. In La Trinidad they produce about 100 Angus bulls a year, which they market in different parts of the country.

Over time, the family decided to incorporate Shorthorn, a nod to the traditions of Canuelas and the history of national cattle ranching itself. There is the influence of Major John Miller and his stay in La Caledonia, where he entered the country between 1823 and 1826 with the famous bull. TarquinIt is recognized as the starting point of the “Tarquina Era”, which led to the modernization of livestock farming in Argentina.

“Shorthorn It is part of our local history “It generated a lot of closeness for us,” says Pico. In Darighera there is also a group of producers working with this breed, which has favored technical and genetic exchange.

In addition to purchasing premium animals, the farm has made a strong investment in premium embryos and genetics, especially from the family’s pure herd Miguel Angel Landívarowner of the San Miguel cabin. This work has allowed them to obtain major championships in Azul, Palermo and Bolivar. this year, La Trinidad won the Grand Champion Male Shorthorn in Palermo.

The third breed to join was the Murray Greybeing a more strategic decision. Originally from the Murray River Valley in Australia, it is known for its ability Withstands wide temperature changesfrom extreme heat to low temperatures, without losing meat quality.

“We saw in the Bordenave fields that the Black Angus were seeking shade or ponds on very hot days, while the Murrays continued to eat,” explains Picot. “This convinced us to move forward.”

Commercial results were rapid: every Murray bull or calf they produced “he They take it from the hand“, especially among breeders and fodder owners in the harshest and hottest areas.

In addition, this year they imported more than a hundred Murray Gray embryos from England and Australia, with the aim of expanding and improving this genetics, which has become one of the strongest bets for the institution.

The fourth breed they added was Wagyuthe global logo for premium meat. La Trinidad has been able to acquire the pure, small rodeo that it is developing. The goal is to start production High value finished calvesP, intended for gourmet circles or selective exports. “Wagyu is at the pinnacle of value: very low demand from high-end chefs and restaurants. It’s a challenge that interests us a lot,” he said.

The production system they manage It depends mainly on reproduction. In Canuelas they work on natural grass, with an annual reserve of chopped sorghum. In Bordenave and D’Arriguera they combine the natural countryside Perennial pastures Such as panic, agropyrus, and crying. They also make strategic reserves of chopped wheat or barley.

Agriculture occupies a small percentage of the total and is mainly used in areas that are still in the process of settlement, where the herd is large and the stomachs are kept.

“We sell heifers weighing between 190 and 220 kilograms and are breeders of Angus, Shorthorn and Murray Grey. In recent years We kept many females because we bought more land and populated everything with our own production“Biko explained.

As for Murray Gray and Wagyu, the plan for 2025 and 2026 includes developing the process of finishing calves from both breeds to enter premium finished beef. The weight of animals exceeds 500 kilograms in Murray and Wagyu.

For a time, they ventured into the full cycle with their feedlot, but then decided to close it and focus on breeding and genetics. “We feel comfortable as breeders. The technical team handles production planning very well, which allowed us to organize the entire system,” he noted.

Pico notes a positive change in livestock activity. “There was a time when we would sell calves and see little money. Today, the price of a calf has become worth it and has reached a peak of close to 5,000 pesos per kilo. There is a production deficit compared to the prosperity that is happening in Argentina and in the world“, a description.

Relative prices are beginning to adjust, a competitive dollar favors profitability, and exports – both beef and beef to China – are boosting business.

However, the producer warns that raising livestock requires predictability and continuity. “If deductions are adjusted slightly and macros are supported, The sector has a very good outlook” he pointed out cautiously.

Family involvement is a distinctive feature of the project. His wife, a psychologist, manages the finances of all the companies. His daughters, aged 22 and 20, are studying communications at UADE and medicine at Favaloro University. Although they are oriented towards other professionsBoth are actively involved in livestock activity They participate in hut work, exhibitions and decision-making.

“We feel safe in this sector. We know it, we love it and we see opportunities. We will continue to invest in this area, in stomachs and in genetics,” Pico summed up.

La Trinidad plans to hold its first auction in 2026, possibly in conjunction with another booth