forrajeros

Forrajeros is a term used in Spanish to refer to people associated with forage, or fodder, for livestock. The word derives from forraje, meaning animal feed, with the suffix -ero indicating someone who works with or deals in that product. The exact meaning and usage of the term vary by region and context.

In agricultural contexts, forrajeros are traders, wholesalers, or farmers who produce, purchase, stock, and sell hay, silage, straw, and other forms of animal feed. They may operate through local markets, cooperatives, or supply contracts with cattle ranches, dairy farms, and feed mills. The label is most common in rural or regional speech and can differ from one country to another in terms of scope and duties.

In some dialects, forrajeros can also refer to people who forage for natural feed resources, including edible plants or wild growth, especially in rural or forested areas. This broader sense aligns with forraje as food for animals and, in some contexts, with wild edibles for humans.

The term is not universally standardized in dictionaries and can be used inconsistently. Because its meaning depends on local usage, it is important to understand the intended sense from the regional context, as it can range from a commercial role in the fodder trade to a descriptive label for those who gather forage in the countryside.