Hello everyone,
We arrived safe and sound in Manila exactly on schedule at 6:35 pm (6:35 am Toronto time) Tuesday after leaving Peterborough at 5 am Monday (a 29 hour day by the time we were settled at the hotel). We can already tell that Wednesday looks great over here this morning (8:40 am) so you Canadians hopefully will anticipate a beautiful Wednesday when you wake up. Our neighbours, the Bentley's, already informed us that the white 'stuff' was visible on Monday after we left.
We praise God for His constant care and pray that He will cover our needs as we proceed.
After a bit of rest day today we begin our work here on Thursday visiting some established dairy farms somewhere not too far from Manila. On Friday we are expected at a Northern Regional Conference convened by the National Department of Trade and Industry where the Philippine Ambassador to Canada will be present and it is hoped that Philipine President Arroyo will also be present...that is, if we can schedule and manage the 10+ hour bus trip north to Tuguegarao (475km north of Manila).
...until next time.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A little more background
In our earlier assignment we discovered that 99% of dairy products are imported into the Philippines. In discussion with numerous Filipinos, we were informed that many adults were not brought up with dairy products in their homes however their children have developed a real liking to milk. The stumbling block for their parents however is the high cost. Dairy product prices are not unlike Canadian prices but minimum hourly wages in Canada are equivalent to the daily wages in the Philippines.
Almost all liquid milk is imported as Ultra Heat Treated for long lasting shelf life. Unfortunately this increases the cost and offers a less desirable taste.
While dairying will have its challenges in this country side, there is ample productive land available. Corn and rice is grown throughout the province of Isabela. In particular corn appears as productive as Canadian field corn even with their primitive production methods...strong stalks with large ears.
Similar productive land is often used for pasture but is never renovated/reseeded for more productive forages. In a university setting I am told that 20 animals can be fed from 1 hectare of productive forage in a cut and carry management system. Forages can be cut here on a 30 day rotation...12 cuts per year!
For the animals heat and humidity will be a challenge; however in a cut and carry system, a dairy farm would only need to provide shade roofs with possible added ventilation and misting. I'm told in areas to the south pasture lands are provided in coconut groves which in turn provide shade as the animals graze. In Isabela temperatures tend to be even warmer and my inclination would be to provide fresh fodder to animals in a low density confined area of shade roofs.
Almost all liquid milk is imported as Ultra Heat Treated for long lasting shelf life. Unfortunately this increases the cost and offers a less desirable taste.
While dairying will have its challenges in this country side, there is ample productive land available. Corn and rice is grown throughout the province of Isabela. In particular corn appears as productive as Canadian field corn even with their primitive production methods...strong stalks with large ears.
Similar productive land is often used for pasture but is never renovated/reseeded for more productive forages. In a university setting I am told that 20 animals can be fed from 1 hectare of productive forage in a cut and carry management system. Forages can be cut here on a 30 day rotation...12 cuts per year!
For the animals heat and humidity will be a challenge; however in a cut and carry system, a dairy farm would only need to provide shade roofs with possible added ventilation and misting. I'm told in areas to the south pasture lands are provided in coconut groves which in turn provide shade as the animals graze. In Isabela temperatures tend to be even warmer and my inclination would be to provide fresh fodder to animals in a low density confined area of shade roofs.
Friday, October 10, 2008
THE COUNT DOWN
...10 days until the 20th - that's the 'go' date. We are now developing our to do lists, take lists, don't forget lists and then...where did I put that list.
During our last project period, one of the defining moments was the realization that culitvated forages were non-existent. We have therefore received to take along some small forage seed packages that we can use experimentally. Tillage and seeding equipment is also very limited so our thought is to use some Round-up herbicide and to no-till or overseed in the existing sod. I have discovered some North American companies are promoting a seeding/tillage tool called an overseeder which looks quite promising and less expensive than a no till drill. Has anyone had any experience with such a tool? Please forward your thoughts.
We have just received our flight schedule. We're flying Cathay Pacific this time (Air Canada is sold out) leaving Toronto on Monday October 20 at 10:40 (23:40 Manila time) and arriving in Hong Kong at 13:55 (almost 2am Toronto time) October 21 then fly to Manila at 16:30 and arrive at 18:35 or about 6:35 am Toronto time on October 21. Manila time is exactly 12 hours ahead of Toronto Dayligt Saving Time. At the end of October of course Canadians gain an hour going to Standard Time however the Philippines always maintain Standard Time thus will be ahead 13 hours
Our plan upon arrival is to rest for a day in Manila as well as meet with the National Dairy Authority who have some means of assisting start up farmers but whose presence is very scant in the Province of Isabela. It seems a mountain range to the South of Isabela forms a type of curtain of isolation. We have also been promised by a new aquiantance to tour some dairy cattle farms that he has helped to establish. By the 24th we plan to arrive at our destination in Isabela.
During our last project period, one of the defining moments was the realization that culitvated forages were non-existent. We have therefore received to take along some small forage seed packages that we can use experimentally. Tillage and seeding equipment is also very limited so our thought is to use some Round-up herbicide and to no-till or overseed in the existing sod. I have discovered some North American companies are promoting a seeding/tillage tool called an overseeder which looks quite promising and less expensive than a no till drill. Has anyone had any experience with such a tool? Please forward your thoughts.
We have just received our flight schedule. We're flying Cathay Pacific this time (Air Canada is sold out) leaving Toronto on Monday October 20 at 10:40 (23:40 Manila time) and arriving in Hong Kong at 13:55 (almost 2am Toronto time) October 21 then fly to Manila at 16:30 and arrive at 18:35 or about 6:35 am Toronto time on October 21. Manila time is exactly 12 hours ahead of Toronto Dayligt Saving Time. At the end of October of course Canadians gain an hour going to Standard Time however the Philippines always maintain Standard Time thus will be ahead 13 hours
Our plan upon arrival is to rest for a day in Manila as well as meet with the National Dairy Authority who have some means of assisting start up farmers but whose presence is very scant in the Province of Isabela. It seems a mountain range to the South of Isabela forms a type of curtain of isolation. We have also been promised by a new aquiantance to tour some dairy cattle farms that he has helped to establish. By the 24th we plan to arrive at our destination in Isabela.
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