Fernán Caballero approves the grazing land utilization ordinance

The City Council of Fernán Caballero has definitively approved the Ordinance regulating the use of pastures, grasses, and stubble within the municipal district, as no claims or suggestions were submitted during the public information period and after accepting the allegation formulated regarding the correction of material errors. The agreement is published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Ciudad Real, number 176, dated September 14, 2026, via announcement number 2924.

The regulation, formulated by the Local Pasture Commission of Fernán Caballero, is based on Law 7/2000, of November 23, on the Regulation of the Use of Pastures, Grasses, and Stubble in Castilla-La Mancha, with Decree 1256/1969, of June 6, as the basic and supplementary state framework, and is integrated into the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2023/2027 cycle. The document, consisting of 31 pages, was electronically signed by the Secretary-Interventor Pedro Luis Ramírez Gómez on September 10, 2026.

Areas and carrying capacity

The municipal district of Fernán Caballero covers 10,493.99 hectares, of which 10,277.75 correspond to rural land. The lands subject to common pasture management total 1,732.40 hectares, distributed between annual crops and rainfed stubble (1,119.02 ha) and irrigated stubble (613.38 ha). The remainder, 8,761.59 hectares, is excluded from the common regime due to irrigation, vineyards, olive groves, fruit trees, unproductive land, forestry, and permanently fenced estates.

Applying the minimum ratio of 1.43 ha/LSU required by the provincial authority, without exceeding the maximum livestock load of 0.70 LSU/ha, the common pastures can support 1,211.46 Livestock Units (LSU). Currently, there are five livestock farms dedicated to bovine, caprine, and ovine livestock subject to the common regime.

Usage regime and watering holes

The livestock year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, with all polygons being allocated by resolution of the Local Pasture Commission. The base herd is set at 500 head of ovine or caprine, and offspring cease to be categorized as such at 12 months. Livestock may not enter the plots until the harvest has been collected, and farmers may not plow the stubble before fifteen calendar days have passed since the harvest was lifted.

• The entry of livestock into fallow land that has been plowed and prepared for immediate sowing, and for three days following heavy rains, is prohibited.
• Allottees without a watering hole may water their livestock at the well of the cañada Soriana, in polygon 18, plot 59.
• There are no community associations or groupings of estates, nor municipal dula or piara in the municipality.

Economic and sanctioning regime

The successful livestock farmers must pay the amount for the grazing rights within a maximum period of 60 calendar days, calculated from the start of the livestock year or from the notification of the award. Non-payment entails the loss of the award and disqualification for the following livestock year. Owners of land subject to management will receive the fixed price per hectare, with up to 20% deductible as Commission operating expenses, payable solely via bank transfer.

Collection rights expire five years after they are made available, with the amounts passing to the Commission’s assets to improve grazing rights and promote livestock farming. The sanctioning regime shall be exercised in accordance with Law 39/2015, of October 1, on the Common Administrative Procedure. An appeal for reversal may be filed before the Plenary within one month, and a contentious-administrative appeal within two months.

The entry into force of this ordinance provides Fernán Caballero with a stable and transparent framework for the management of its grazing resources, harmonizing the interests of livestock farmers and farmers and guaranteeing the conservation of the municipal livestock wealth. For residents of the primary sector, it represents a clear regulation of areas, quotas, prices, and deadlines that organizes the use of a common resource essential to the local economy.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Ciudad Real, number 176, September 14, 2026, Local Administration section (City Councils), pág. 8369-8381 (official reference: announcement number 2924, CVE ex4sJz2W4zUri3iw6rC0).