IMIDRA Sheep Get Sheared in Aranjuez

The Community of Madrid held a shearing session on May 13 for more than 300 sheep raised by the Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development, known as IMIDRA, according to the regional government. The work took place at IMIDRA’s experimental farm La Chimenea in Aranjuez and at the Censyra center in Colmenar Viejo, the government said. The animals belong to the Rubia de El Molar and Negra Colmenareña breeds, which IMIDRA says it raises and studies as part of its livestock research and genetic conservation work. The shearing was presented as part of the institute’s annual management routine ahead of summer heat. ### Why were the sheep being shorn now? May 13 was the date chosen for this year’s shearing day as temperatures rise before summer, according to the Community of Madrid and regional broadcaster Telemadrid. The government said the wool was removed to help the animals cope with heat and to reduce dermatological and parasitic complications. Telemadrid described the sheep as needing relief from their heavy wool layer when warmer weather arrives. (comunidad.madrid) More than 300 sheep were included this year, a lower figure than the roughly 400 cited in a similar IMIDRA shearing day in May 2025. The regional government did not explain the year-to-year change in the count in its 2026 statement, but it described the practice as an annual one at the same two sites. (comunidad.madrid) ### Which breeds are involved at IMIDRA? The sheep shorn this week were identified by the regional government as Rubia de El Molar and Negra Colmenareña. Those are native Madrid breeds that IMIDRA has said it maintains in its facilities for research and genetic improvement. A 2017 regional government notice also referred to the institute’s work to preserve and improve the purity of the Rubia de El Molar and Colmenareña breeds. (comunidad.madrid) La Chimenea in Aranjuez is one of the sites used for that work. The Community of Madrid says the farm serves as a center for maintenance and genetic improvement of sheep, pig and cattle breeding nuclei, alongside its agricultural research projects. ### What is IMIDRA doing with these flocks besides shearing them? IMIDRA says its livestock research area focuses on scientific and technical work related to animal production and improvement, especially for native breeds. (comunidad.madrid) The regional government says the institute runs conservation and genetic improvement projects and keeps breeding groups of local livestock in its facilities. (comunidad.madrid) A 2025 government statement said shearing also supports animal welfare and the production of quality meat and milk. The 2026 statement was narrower, tying the practice directly to summer welfare and to prevention of skin and parasite problems. ### Why is Aranjuez part of the story? (comunidad.madrid) Aranjuez is home to La Chimenea, the IMIDRA experimental farm where part of the shearing was carried out this year. The Community of Madrid marked the farm’s 50th anniversary in 2023 and said the site had spent decades developing projects to improve the region’s agricultural and livestock production. (comunidad.madrid) Telemadrid’s May 13 segment focused on the Aranjuez session and showed the shearing as a public-facing moment in a larger research and husbandry program. The regional government said the same annual practice is also carried out at Censyra in Colmenar Viejo. ### What happens after the shearing day? (comunidad.madrid) IMIDRA said the annual shearing is part of its regular management of breeding flocks kept at La Chimenea and Censyra. The next phase is the continued raising and study of Rubia de El Molar and Negra Colmenareña sheep in those facilities as part of the institute’s genetic conservation and livestock improvement work, according to the Community of Madrid. (comunidad.madrid) (telemadrid.es)