Chile's Araucania Region: a haven for red clover seed and more

摘要

Traveling south in Chile from Santiago down to Temuco in the Araucania Region (or the IX Region) is not unlike traveling north in the US from Los Angeles to Seattle. The type of crops raised is like a mirror image. The south of Chile, therefore, grows crops similar to those produced in the Pacific Northwest, with small grains and forages pre-dominating. Araucania's winter months (May-September) are generally cool and rainy. Average winter temperatures range from a high of 14 deg C (57 deg F) to a low of 2 deg C (36 deg F). Summer months (December-February) are warm and dry, with average temperatures ranging from a high of 27 deg C (81 deg F) to a low of 12 deg C (53 deg F). ProChile, the export promotion division of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notes that the climate allows vernalization of winter species and offers excellent harvest conditions.