From the project leaders
We are in the run-down to the end of the project in
December with detailed plans in place to ensure we meet all milestones.
Dahlan’s group recently visited to start up a final pen experiment.
On a recent visit, Elske invited
Nurul from the University of Mataram. Nurul is a great addition to our project
team with her skills as a communication specialist backed with her veterinary
science experience. Scott is currently enjoying a trip to Timor Leste where he
is working closely with the UNTL team to complete his report on beef markets.
At previous visits we have seen opportunities created for us by other projects
such as new butcher shops.
The next visit by Simon in November aims to transform the
data collected by field researchers into new meanings for cattle weights for
farmers. This is an exciting phase in the project.
The proposal for the next project is now with ACIAR’s
external reviewers after a great effort by all the team in preparing the
submission.
During Elske and Nurul’s 10-day
visit to Timor Leste their workshops in Aidabaleten and Fatucahi with field
researchers and MAF staff examined how best to support farmers exiting the
project as it draws to a close. The team scrutinised barriers and opportunities
for facilitation of learning in the field. They also had an update on outreach
activities.
During the visit, Ms. Nurul explored feasibility for a video
production to raise farmer awareness of new practices with assistance from
field researchers and MAF staff.
Nurul and Elske worked hard, whizzing through training plans
for the December workshop with field researchers, MAF & UNTL staff,
extension officers and farmers. They also worked hard to draft the video story
boards, preparing information relevant to the farmers and their situation.
Cattle weighing is no
picnic
Leaving Dili at six. The sun
just rising, reflecting brilliant white off large piles of salt by the side of
the road. A sharp contrast to the rest of my surroundings as I pass through the
negative beauty of this parched, thirsty landscape. Dodging goats, pigs,
cattle, and the extroverts who like to eat their breakfast on the side of the
road and watch the early morning world pass by.
I roll into Loes one hour 10
minutes later, met by our exuberant Iken. She bounds from her veranda, climbs
on behind my bike and we head off to find Eziquiel, our other field research
staff member, who is waiting 15 minutes inland at Guico, ready to weigh cattle.
We arrive at the first farmer’s
cattle pen next to his house. The whole family is there amongst the chickens,
ducks, goats, and dogs. We only have two animals to weigh here.
The first animal is hauled
without too much problem onto the scales, its weight and number recorded, girth
measured.
The second not so willing, a calf swinging wildly on the end
of it rope. I step in to grab it. A well-aimed kick catches the edge of my
trousers and tears them from my upper thigh to just above my ankle. I expected
peals of laughter from the onlookers, but nobody said anything, except the
ladies preparing veggies who nudged each other and smiled. Embarrassed, I kept
my long white exposed leg facing away from public view.
I was relieved to leave there
and head off to the next weighing site. On arrival, the farmer’s wife informed
us her husband would soon be back from market. “Would we like coffee?” She
found my ripped trousers hilarious.
When the jug of coffee arrived
so did a needle and thread. Iken kindly restored my dignity by sewing my
trousers back together while I stood and devoured 3 cups of strong sweet
coffee.
Eleven cattle to weigh, each beast roped and physically
pulled into the crush, swinging side to side, a reluctant pendulum throwing up
clouds of dust, which, when mixed with our sweat turned to mud. The
uncooperative beasts winched inch by inch into the no-exit space by man power
alone. Could there be any more difficult way to weigh cattle? I think not.
Now I understand why we are
about to build the set of ACIAR-funded, demonstration cattle yards down beside
the main road, in as public a place as possible. With a few changes and very
little extra expense we could make the handling of cattle so much easier for
these farmers.
Thirteen cattle in total, 5 hours later the task was
completed.
A bony field trip
The road side restaurants at
Aidabalatan are a lunchtime treat, waves crashing over the rocks, fishermen bob
in their canoes on a turquoise sea. A variety of fresh fish, split open, basted
and cooked on BBQ hot coals, delivered with woven pandanas parcels of rice and
local coffee.
Heavens, until a bone gets
lodged sideways in your throat, in floods the advice from concerned customers
and staff on how to bring relief.
Eat lots of the sticky rice; this
should sweep the bone onward to your stomach where the acid will take care of
it.
In this case not so, the end
result was the victim felt like she had swallowed a football, spending the rest
of the day groaning with discomfort.
The owner of the restaurant waded in. Surly, she has had
experience with this. She stood behind the victim, grasped an ear in each hand,
lifting vigorously upward several times. End result: ears very red, bone still
lodged in place, amongst stifled laughter.
Massage, preferably by someone
who was born breach, as they have greater healing ability. We didn't quite have
a breach but something almost as good. A gentle massage to the affected area
which looked so nice, maybe I have something in my throat as well…….success, relief,
the bone dislodged, full recovery is expected. For any further advice ask
Elske.
full pdf here
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