With the silage-making season upon us here in Ireland, we thought we'd look at how they do it in Uganda where the farmers on VIVA's animal traction project make silage to feed their oxen in the dry season. The grass is chopped using machetes, mixed with molasses and then sealed in sausage-like plastic bags. Hay bales are also made by stuffing the dried grasses into timber boxes to compress them before they are tied.
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Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
VIVA's Paravets one year on
In March 2009 the first batch of VIVA-trained paravets (trained under a joint programme between VIVA and our partner Heifer Tanzania)graduated in Arusha in Tanzania. One year on we wanted to see how those paravets are doing in their new career. Read Rogate Lukumayi's story here
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
VIVA Wheelers heading to Bantry and New Zealand!
The VIVA Wheelers, that band of enthusiastic cyclists that have raised almost € 150,000 for VIVA's projects have just announced two new upcoming fundraising cycles.
Their annual one-day cycle heads to Bantry on Saturday, September 11th this year. The route covering 100km around the Sheep's Head and Mizen peninsulas takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in west Cork.For the committed cyclist, there's a longer loop, which takes in Mizen Head, bringing the distance up to approx. 140km.
Are you hoping to go to the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011? Want to do something useful while you're there? Well, VIVA are planning a five day cycle challenge on the South Island between the Ireland v Italy match and the first round qualifier. The itinerary and costs are being finalised at present and should be available soon.
To register your interest in any of the above or for more information contact Mike Burke on mike@viva.ie or at 086 - 2568357
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Friday, February 12, 2010
2009 Mike O'Leary Trust Travel Bursary Report
Last summer, UCD veterinary student Carmel Molloy, travelled to Uganda (as a recipient of the Mike O'Leary Trust Travel Bursary, to spend a month on VIVA's animal traction project in eastern Uganda. Her brief was to carry out a survey on animal health control strategies on behalf of our partner there, Heifer Uganda. The report provides an interesting overview of disease incidence in this area and outlines the many difficulties in the promotion and provision of disease control strategies such as vaccination and acaricidal use.
The full report can be read here.
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The full report can be read here.
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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Kosovo AI project
(Brendan O'Connor (R) presents an AI equipment kit to Mike Burke of VIVA)
Brendan O'Connor of Munster AI recently presented VIVA with an AI kit box for its project in Kosovo. In October of last year, Brendan travelled to Kosovo to provide refresher training to some local vets there who provide an AI service to Kosovar farmers involved in VIVA's project (you can read more here). The kit box, which Brendan designed himself, provides convenient, hygienic storage for all the inseminator's equipment and will be used by our partner, Heifer Kosovo, as a demonstration model.
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
"Herriot of Helmand"
One of the cornerstones of VIVA's mission is the provision of basic animal healthcare to small-holder farmers in the Developing World. An interesting illustration of the importance of this work is seen in the impact a British Army vet is having in Afghanistan. Dubbed the "Herriot of Helmand", Capt Miles Malone is an officer in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps looking after military dogs in Helmand Province. Once a month he operates a pioneering veterinary clinic where Afghan farmers can bring their livestock for a free check-up and a dose of preventative healthcare.
In this region goats, sheep, cows and donkeys are prized and valuable possessions, so much so that the womenfolk make colourful beaded necklaces to adorn the necks of livestock. According to Capt. Malone, "animal livestock forms the lifeblood of these local communities and by improving the health of the herd, we can in turn have a positive impact on the health, wealth and general well-being of the population". In addition, he points out that by improving animal health, the animal’s capacity to produce meat and milk is improved. Human health also improves as animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans e.g brucellosis, are eradicated.
In this region although livestock are prized possessions, there is, according to capt Malones's colleague, Sgt. Major Reeve, a widespread ignorance about basic animal husbandry. "Farmers here have absolutely no idea about animal husbandry. There is near total ignorance about causes and spread of disease, breeding cycles and how milk is produced. If a goat stops milking, it is said to be Allah's will rather than the fact that it has not bred for 18 months and therefore has no anatomical reason to produce milk."
As such, the natural health of herds is poor, with cattle usually underweight and riddled with worms, mites and other parasites. Capt Malone said the priority is firstly to de-worm and de-louse. By eradicating parasites, the animals are able to absorb more nutrients, and therefore become stronger and more resistant to disease. Once the animals have achieved a baseline of health, he then vaccinates, because the vaccinations are less effective on sick animals.
The full article can be read here and a video of the clinic viewed below
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In this region goats, sheep, cows and donkeys are prized and valuable possessions, so much so that the womenfolk make colourful beaded necklaces to adorn the necks of livestock. According to Capt. Malone, "animal livestock forms the lifeblood of these local communities and by improving the health of the herd, we can in turn have a positive impact on the health, wealth and general well-being of the population". In addition, he points out that by improving animal health, the animal’s capacity to produce meat and milk is improved. Human health also improves as animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans e.g brucellosis, are eradicated.
In this region although livestock are prized possessions, there is, according to capt Malones's colleague, Sgt. Major Reeve, a widespread ignorance about basic animal husbandry. "Farmers here have absolutely no idea about animal husbandry. There is near total ignorance about causes and spread of disease, breeding cycles and how milk is produced. If a goat stops milking, it is said to be Allah's will rather than the fact that it has not bred for 18 months and therefore has no anatomical reason to produce milk."
As such, the natural health of herds is poor, with cattle usually underweight and riddled with worms, mites and other parasites. Capt Malone said the priority is firstly to de-worm and de-louse. By eradicating parasites, the animals are able to absorb more nutrients, and therefore become stronger and more resistant to disease. Once the animals have achieved a baseline of health, he then vaccinates, because the vaccinations are less effective on sick animals.
The full article can be read here and a video of the clinic viewed below
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Monday, November 23, 2009
Longford Animal Health Centre - Veterinary Practice Supporter of the year
(L-R Mike Burke of VIVA, Anne Halligan & Brian Flynn of Longford Animal Health Centre)
Mike Burke recently made a presentation to Longford Animal Health Centre to acknowledge their fundraising efforts on behalf of VIVA this year. Three staff members (Cathy Hawthorne, Anne Halligan and Cynthia Geelan) took part in the Flora Women’s mini-marathon in June and in September Brian Flynn and Donagh McDonnell took to their bikes to complete the “Burren 100” cycle challenge. In total, the practice raised over € 1,500 for VIVA's overseas projects.
If your workplace would like to adopt VIVA as their charity for 2010 please contact Mike Burke on 086 – 2568357 or mike@viva.ie. We can arrange a presentation to your staff on our work and advise on fundraising.
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