Ordino Residents Bless Livestock in Annual Ceremony as Herds Descend

Ordino residents gathered for the annual livestock blessing on Wednesday, marking the descent of communal herds from high pastures to lower meadows amid improved grazing conditions.

Roughly 200 animals—including about 120 breeding cows with calves and 40 horses with foals—moved from the Arcalís valley to the Rialb valley. The ceremony took place at 1 p.m. at Planell de la Rabassa, drawing around 100 locals, farmers, and officials. A priest blessed the livestock ahead of the latter half of the summer grazing season.

The event coincided with the Day of Shepherds on 12 August. Ordino's deputy consul, Eduard Betriu, noted the tradition's relatively recent origins, starting in the 1960s and 1970s following a change in the parish priest. He described it as a way to unite the livestock sector and church practices at this special site, while assessing summer progress such as pasture quality and animal health.

Recent rains and storms in early August have enhanced common pastures, Betriu added. Environment and Agriculture Minister Guillem Casal highlighted a notable increase this year, with about 100 more cattle at Planell de la Rabassa compared to previous years. He praised the primary sector's steady growth "year after year" and its role in maintaining ecosystems near the parish natural park, set to become part of a national natural park.

Such gatherings, Casal said, keep communities connected to farmers, demonstrate public support, and underscore the sector's importance in Andorra. He noted that agriculture and livestock budgets have increased by more than 40% this legislative term.