Merino breed in Uruguay: The Merino breed was introduced to Uruguay in the 19th century (1875) when a family of Basque-French immigrants arrived in the country with their flock. In 1901, the first pedigree imports were recorded in the Rural Association of Uruguay (ARU, 2021). Imports of pedigree animals from Argentina began in 1903, in 1911 from the USA and in 1924 the first rams were imported from Australia. The Australian variety was imported to Uruguay through two English companies based in Argentine Patagonia. In its beginnings, the Merino breed was used to cross with animals of thick wool breeds such as Lincoln and Romney Marsh, producing the renowned "Río de la Plata wool". In 1943, the SCMAU was founded, its first president being Dr. Domingo Bordaberry. Since that date, it has had uninterrupted growth, going from 4% to more than 38% of the national stock today (ARU, 2021).