To mark VIVA's 10th anniversary, the "Irish Veterinary Journal" featured VIVA on the cover of its November issue and devoted four pages to a history of VIVA and an overview of its work.
To read the article click here
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Farming in Uganda
In the UK, the Guardian and Observer newspapers are sponsoring a three-year development project in the sub-county of Katine in north-east Uganda, which is home to 25,000 people. The project is being implemented by two NGOs, AMREF (African Medical & Research Foundation) and Farm Africa. The Guardian's website (www.guardian.co.uk/katine) offers a fascinating insight into life in Katine and the project itself in addition to background articles on development issues. Of particular note are the videos which look at aspects of life in Katine.
One of these looks at the life of Paul Odongo, a farmer, who shows us around his 15 acre farm. This farm would be typical of the farms in the VIVA animal traction project in Koelie and it is interesting to note that he speaks of the importance of having bulls for ploughing.
Another video looks at the issue of distributing bulls to farmers for use in ploughing as an aid intervention. The main concern is that the bulls will be sold on by the recipients to generate some quick cash. However, it is important to note that on the VIVA project three factors make this highly unlikely. Firstly, prior to receiving oxen on our project the recipients must undertake a training course and build the necessary cattle-holding facilities to demonstrate their committment. Secondly, four families share a plough each family owning one oxen so there is a strong social pressure on each family to uphold their end of the bargain when ploughing time comes around. Lastly, each recipient family undertakes to provide another family in the community with the price of an ox within two years from the profits of the increased productivity on their farm. Again this militates against oxen being sold on.
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One of these looks at the life of Paul Odongo, a farmer, who shows us around his 15 acre farm. This farm would be typical of the farms in the VIVA animal traction project in Koelie and it is interesting to note that he speaks of the importance of having bulls for ploughing.
Another video looks at the issue of distributing bulls to farmers for use in ploughing as an aid intervention. The main concern is that the bulls will be sold on by the recipients to generate some quick cash. However, it is important to note that on the VIVA project three factors make this highly unlikely. Firstly, prior to receiving oxen on our project the recipients must undertake a training course and build the necessary cattle-holding facilities to demonstrate their committment. Secondly, four families share a plough each family owning one oxen so there is a strong social pressure on each family to uphold their end of the bargain when ploughing time comes around. Lastly, each recipient family undertakes to provide another family in the community with the price of an ox within two years from the profits of the increased productivity on their farm. Again this militates against oxen being sold on.
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
VIVA deliver AI training in Kosovo
VIVA have been involved with their Kosovar partner, Heifer Kosovo, since 1999 after the war there ended. VIVA's first intervention was to organise the importation of winter feed for livestock as the harvest was interrupted by the war. Since then VIVA has delivered training programmes in dairy cow management and pig husbandry in conjunction with Bothar, the Irish NGO which has organised livestock shipments to Kosovo.
At present VIVA is involved in an Artificial Insemination (AI) programme in Kosovo. This involves the training of AI technicians, the supply of semen straws and equipment and the subsisisation of the service to farmers. A VIVA team has just returned from a trip to Kosovo where they delivered a refresher training course for AI technicians. The course was delivered by Cork vet, Denis Healy and Brendan O'Connor, an AI technician with Munster AI. Over two days, in Vermice, the team covered AI techniques and various aspects of dairy cow fertilty and management. Practical training was carried out a local slaughterhouse in the city of Prizren. In addition, a dairy farm was visited to discuss dairy cow nutrition and management.
The AI programme is an essential component of Heifer Kosovo's dairy projects as it is playing a significant role in increasing the productivity of these cows. In addition, it is a vital service in some areas where there may not be adequate availability of bulls.
VIVA would like to thank Munster AI for their co-operation in this initiative, in particular, Brendan O'Connnor for giving his time and expertise, Anthony Cronin for his help in the shipments of semen straws and Dr. Doreen Corridan.
To view the pictures individually click here
At present VIVA is involved in an Artificial Insemination (AI) programme in Kosovo. This involves the training of AI technicians, the supply of semen straws and equipment and the subsisisation of the service to farmers. A VIVA team has just returned from a trip to Kosovo where they delivered a refresher training course for AI technicians. The course was delivered by Cork vet, Denis Healy and Brendan O'Connor, an AI technician with Munster AI. Over two days, in Vermice, the team covered AI techniques and various aspects of dairy cow fertilty and management. Practical training was carried out a local slaughterhouse in the city of Prizren. In addition, a dairy farm was visited to discuss dairy cow nutrition and management.
The AI programme is an essential component of Heifer Kosovo's dairy projects as it is playing a significant role in increasing the productivity of these cows. In addition, it is a vital service in some areas where there may not be adequate availability of bulls.
VIVA would like to thank Munster AI for their co-operation in this initiative, in particular, Brendan O'Connnor for giving his time and expertise, Anthony Cronin for his help in the shipments of semen straws and Dr. Doreen Corridan.
To view the pictures individually click here
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Midland Showjumping donate €4000 to VIVA
Theresa Sheehy (Pat the Baker) and Brendan Mimnagh (VIVA) present the Pat the Baker Grand Final trophy to Harry Hughes
Mary Gannon, Brendan Mimnagh (VIVA), Mairead Higgins (Pat the Baker), Brian Gormley, Ann Gannon at presentation of cheque to VIVA in GranardFollowing their recent summer shows, Midland Showjumping have donated all the entry fees from the four events to VIVA. At a recent function in Granard, Brian Gormley MRCVS, chairman of the Midland Showjumping Committee presented a cheque for € 4000 to VIVA's Brendan Mimnagh. VIVA would like to thank all the sponsors of the event as follows:
Oliver Glancy, Pat the Baker, Lady Georgina Forbes, Seamus Kane (Kane Motors), Ann Gannon, Mary Gannon, Olaf O'Neill (C & M Veterinary)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Pfizer support VIVA
(Pfizer Marketing Manager, Roy Geary (R) presents a cheque to Mike Burke of VIVA)As part of their ongoing support to charities in the area of agriculture and animal welfare, Pfizer recently donated € 1500 to support VIVA's overseas programmes. VIVA was selected by the company's staff as one of three organisations to receive support in 2009. This type of support is vital to ensure the expansion of VIVA's livestock projects abroad and is greatly appreciated by VIVA.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
VIVA Golf Classic
On August 7th, Tullamore Golf Club again hosted the annual VIVA Golf Classic. On one of this summer's few good days, over 30 teams competed for a host of prizes with Martin Bohan's team emerging victorious.
Since its inception in 2003, the event has built up a loyal following and has raised almost € 50,000 for VIVA's overseas projects.
VIVA would again like to thank Tony McManus for all his efforts in organising the Classic. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our main sponsors, Univet and C & M Vetlink.
Since its inception in 2003, the event has built up a loyal following and has raised almost € 50,000 for VIVA's overseas projects.
VIVA would again like to thank Tony McManus for all his efforts in organising the Classic. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our main sponsors, Univet and C & M Vetlink.
(The winning team - L to R - Lar Lyons, John O'Connell, Martin Bohan, Pat Delahunty)
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Burren 100
On Saturday last, the "VIVA Wheelers" headed for Clare for their latest cycle challenge, a 100km sprint through the Burren! Over 50 cyclists took part on what was one of the sunniest weekends of the year. Starting in Ballyvaughan, the route took the cyclists to Corofin, Ennisdymon, Lahinch, Doolin , the Cliffs of Moher and finally, a spectacularly scenic finish along the coastal route to Ballyvaughan. A dinner in the Hylands Burren Hotel capped what was a perfect day.
The event will raise over € 16,000 for VIVA's livestock projects overseas and due to its success it is hoped to make this an annual event moving around Ireland each year to a different venue. This will compliment our overseas cycle challenges.
VIVA would like to thank our sponsors, Sioda Interiors (Dundalk) and Paddy O'Donoghue of Veterinary Instruments Ltd, (Ballyvaughan). We'd also like to thank the members of the Burren Cycling Club who accompanied us on the route. The event was organised by Irish Cycling Safaris.
To register your interest for future VIVA Wheelers events contact mike@viva.ie
These photos may also be viewed on our online album
The event will raise over € 16,000 for VIVA's livestock projects overseas and due to its success it is hoped to make this an annual event moving around Ireland each year to a different venue. This will compliment our overseas cycle challenges.
VIVA would like to thank our sponsors, Sioda Interiors (Dundalk) and Paddy O'Donoghue of Veterinary Instruments Ltd, (Ballyvaughan). We'd also like to thank the members of the Burren Cycling Club who accompanied us on the route. The event was organised by Irish Cycling Safaris.
To register your interest for future VIVA Wheelers events contact mike@viva.ie
These photos may also be viewed on our online album
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