Background
Back in 1866 the country was at war with Paraguay and the bloody battle of Tuyuit had torn the country apart. In the Northwest, revolt leaders were getting ready to defend, the Northeast provinces had a hostile attitude towards the National Government, and the surprise attacks by the indians troubled large areas of the Province of Buenos Aires, Cordoba, San Luis and Mendoza.

The local economy, which was based on farming activities, seemed to fall and stagnate. Drought, fires in the fields and continuous attacks by the indians discouraged the population and drove them away from the fertile plains.

"Tarquino" though, the first Shorthorn bull imported by John Miller as far back as 1826, was a milestone in cattle breed improvements. In 1864, Leonardo Pereyra imported the first Hereford animals, and Ricardo Newton began offering fences which brought along the benefit of setting limits for roving cattle, controlling the herds, and protecting the crops.

In spite of the political confusion and tension, the progressive spirit of some pioneers, did not fail. Individual efforts were not sufficient. The will of many had to be united to defend their interests and those of the whole country which urgently needed its basic economy to improve.

The untiring work of Eduardo Olivera, who wrote the basic rules for the new institution, the personal prestige of Jose Martinez de Hoz, and the enthusiasm of a group of real farmers, allowed the founding - after much going and coming - on July 10, 1866, of the Sociedad Rural Argentina with the purpose of:

"Promoting improvements, progress and order with more effective grazing methods than those currently used. and combining these with tilling practices., stimulating the welfare and morality of farmers . studying livestock species . seeds and plants best adapted to the country . and improving our tilling tools . establishing relations with the most important foreign markets and learning about their needs . creating a library for farmers . publishing a farming journal . stimulating scientists to investigate and publish their findings . organising trade shows for livestock, poultry and farm products." (quote from the founding documents of SRA).

Since then to date, the Sociedad Rural Argentina has been faithful to its governing philosophy which states that freedom is a qualified tool to foster private initiatives that brings progress for everyone, benefiting the farming community and serving the country as a whole.

Preferring proposals to protest, it continually promotes the analysis and study of general and specific problems that affect the sector. It supports its resourceful technical structure and belief in involving the farmers with a framework of pluralistic and federal representation of its members and associated institutions, to pursue its political and representative actions with an unfailing and updated impetus.

The Sociedad Rural Argentina, in addition to being present at national and international fora as a political and representative institution, represents farmers from all areas of the country. It is also a service institution which is always at the forefront with technology and accompanies the latest changes with modern structures for its Herd Books, Trade Shows, Press and Publications, its Library, Consulting Services, and its entire internal administration.

In essence, the SRA is a constant message of faith, progress and solidarity which has remained unchanged since last century, and which repeats, as an echo from history "To seed the soil, is to serve the nation."

Structure
The Sociedad Rural Argentina is a private, non-profit organisation that seeks to foster and promote the development of farming activities in the country.

Beyond its genuine base of over 10000 members that includes large, medium-size and small farmers from all over the country, the Sociedad Rural Argentina represents all the producers through an active and influential presence in all national, provincial and municipal decision-making levels. It also has a recognised and valued international presence.

Its continuous proposal to excel, its contributions with specific surveys to provide real solutions to sectorial problems, its intensive activity in technical services, its intermediate and high level training courses for managers, and its active involvement in promoting fairs and presenting the work of the farmers, are some aspects that - with their high level of excellence - have given national and international prestige to the Sociedad Rural Argentina as the most important organisation of farm leaders in Argentina.

BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Alejandro L. Delfino

1998-2000

Vice-President, International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP)

1980-2000
Director, Argentine Rural Society (SRA)

1997-1999
Director, Grains Arbitral Chamber of the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange

1984-1989/1993-1998
Coordinator, Grains Committee SRA

1986-1998
Delegate, Argentine Rural Society in IFAP Grains Committee

1989-1992
Former Director, National Grains Board

1990-1991
Former Director, Institute of Economic Studies SRA

1987-1990
Former Vice-Director, Institute of Economic Studies SRA

1982-1986
Former Chair, CREA Group (Regional Consortiums of Agricultural Experimentation)

1968-1986
Former Director, of the Shorthorn Breeders Argentine Association

Farmer and Rural Administrator.