Santander, 4 October 2026 — At Finca de Sotama in Cillorigo de Liébana, 16 cattle of the tudanca breed were drawn for distribution to member farms. Regional Minister for Rural Development, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, María Jesús Susinos, praised the breeders’ commitment at the event and announced new measures to safeguard the regional breed’s genetic resources.
According to the Gobierno de Cantabria, around 120 animals are kept at Finca de Sotama for selection and breeding-value assessment. The regional government thereby brings the core tasks of conservation breeding together at one site: animals are professionally assessed there, breeding plans are coordinated and distribution to member farms of the breeders’ association is organised. The animals drawn are assessed beforehand and allocated to association members at set, affordable prices. This year, 16 animals and 16 calves for a three-year period were allocated through the association.
As a strategic step, Susinos highlighted the creation of a Banco de Germoplasma for the tudanca breed. A total of 3,000 frozen doses from 25 selected breeding bulls have been set aside, with 120 doses available per animal. The genetic material was handed over to the Centro de Selección Animal in Colmenar Viejo (Madrid). A second backup copy will remain at CENSYRA in Torrelavega and is to be incorporated into the centre’s regular operations. Storing the material in two locations makes the reserve more resilient to disruption. The aim is to maintain genetic diversity and make the breed more resilient to animal diseases, natural events and losses in stock; the material can be returned to breeding programmes if needed.
The minister also emphasised the cultural and economic importance of the tudanca breed to rural Cantabria. She referred to the long-standing work of the regional breeders’ association, which, according to the government, has more than 500 members and has worked with Finca de Sotama for decades. Continued financial support for conservation measures and development projects was promised; the regional government gave no specific amounts.
Those present included the Director General for Livestock, Alfredo Álvarez, the president of the national breeders’ association, Lorenzo González, and the mayor of Cillorigo de Liébana, Jesús María Cuevas. The statements and figures come from the Gobierno de Cantabria press release of 4 October 2026.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).