Day 25: Data Collecting

Hi everyone!

Today was another day out at Debre Zeit. After breakfast of toast and strawberries we left at 7:30 am. Our first stop was at GGK Farm. This was another large scale farm but still 'old-style' in it's production. They milk completely by hand. They had 75 Holstein Friesian dairy cows and A LOT of chickens! She answered my questionnaire about their farm that I will compare with the milk yield data that I currently have. When I finished, Hannah asked her about the chicken production. After that she took us the building where the feed was mixed. They buy ingredients individually (like most farms) and mix the feed on the farm. We then made our way over to the dairy barn. Then we visited the chicken buildings. They had laying hens, pullets, and cockerels. There's a lot of management that goes into these large farms!

The next farm we stopped at was smaller with only 15 cows. We were not actually able to visit the cows at this farms because the manager had to go to church. But, I got through my questionnaire and Hannah completed hers about the chickens as well. Where we met the manager and his family seemed to be in like a small village. There were about 4 or 5 homes centered around a main middle area. There were some trees in the main area and between two trees was a highly resourceful engineered swing. The seat was an old plastic bottle (about the size of a laundry detergent bottle) and the 'rope' was old rubber. A small girl was swinging almost the whole time while we were there while she smiled and stared at Hannah and I. We finished up there and headed to the next farm.

(The enumerator is in the tan jacket and the manager in the red)

All three farms were within a half mile or so of each other. Our last stop was at Debre Zeit Swine Farm (makes sense right?). They had hogs, dairy cows, and chickens. They also grew corn for silage and their own alfalfa. We sat down with the dairy manager and he answered all my questions. This was the only worker that was able to communicate directly with me because he had very good english. He didn't know too much about the chickens for Hannah, except that they were broilers that would be sold. The farm just happened to be right next to the slaughter house too. He took us to see the holstein bulls that would soon be slaughtered as well as the actual milking cows. Hannah and I were both very impressed by the cleanliness of the cows and their pens. The manger took me to see the dairy parlor as well. They used both machine and hand to milk. He said that sometimes the automatic milker breaks down but otherwise it is efficient. The cows just have to walk in one side and follow the 'path' while they get milked and go out the other door and back into their pen. This farm also had one of the best yielding cows of the farms I've visited. They showed me one cow that was producing an average of 34 L a day which is tremendous for this area. In the U.S. an average dairy cow is producing about 30 L a day.

Until next time!

Day 24: Down to Work

Hello friends!

This morning after my breakfast of banana bread, banana pancakes, sausage, and pineapple juice, I was ready to go! I was super stoked to help Dr. Hanson in the gene bank. But, when I got down there she began to tell me that she wanted me to focus on my project and not just do busy work. She wanted me to get everything I could out of ILRI and Ethiopia. She didn't want me to have the 'free time' that I was having. So, she brought me to her office and she began to look at the questions I had created. She asked me what I thought about adding nutrition and economics to the picture. I worry about the economics (mainly because numbers and I don't go well together!) and how I was going to wrap that into my project. But, this is now a challenge. Before, my topics were not challenging me. Dr. Hanson wants to challenge me and make my time meaningful. So, that's what I'm going to do. 

She had me sit down with the data I already had from the database and make a table with the Farm Name, Location, No. of Milking Cows, No. of Calves, and Avg. Milk Yield. This table would allow me to figure out the large, rich farms compared to the smaller, poor farms. She said this would help to figure out which ones to visit and which ones I wanted to focus on for my research paper. I am so glad I have this guidance now. This is what I have been needing this whole time. She said so herself, this is the guidance they should of been giving me upstairs. I can't even begin tell you how much better I feel with someone 'on my side'. 

We went to lunch together and I had lasagna with potatoes wedges. They really like to put potatoes with almost every meal at the cafeteria even if it doesn't really go with! After that, we came back and Dr. Hanson helped Hannah and I get in contact with Dr. Azage to set up a time to visit smallholder farms. She also helped me create my questionnaire that will help me in writing my final research paper. 

I am so glad that she is helping us make our time meaningful and so much more worth it. Today was the day that I actually felt on track with what I am doing. I feel confident about my questions and I am very ready to visit Debre Zeit again tomorrow! Once I have some data from the questions I will share them with you! I can't thank y'all enough for following me on the highs and helping to keep my morale up on lows! 

Day 23: Chicken & Dairy Work

Hello everyone!

This morning was an early one but it was nice to have first pick at the breakfast! But as always, toast with strawberry jam and strawberries. Mikhel came to pick up Hannah and I at 7:30 to go to Debre Zeit. When we got to the research farm we had to wait for a few minutes until one of the main researchers was able to get us our lab coats. Once we got into the building and Hannah directed some people as to what she had to do, she got to work. The workers weighed the chicks while Hannah collected that data as well as the feed consumption.

Now, it was my turn for my project. The two farms I wanted to visit were high producing farms. I really wasn't sure what to expect but both were very commercialized. First we me met Muhammed, the enumerator. Then we went to Genesis Farm where they specialized in horticulture, chickens, and dairy cattle. But, they also had rabbits and even a monkey. We walked through the vegetables and plants that were growing, by the chicken building, and past the rabbit cages. We went to the barn where the dairy were housed. We had to disinfect our boots in a water solution before we could go in. All but two of the cattle were 90% or more of the Holstein blood. After getting to know a bit about the management practices and care of the cattle I asked what was something they wanted to improve. The barn manager said the they wanted to cross the holstein cows with a local breed (such as Boran) to improve the maintenance needs. Being that Holstein cattle are not a indigenous breed they require more management compared to local breeds. The two that were not completely Holstein were 50% Boran and 50% Holstein. The major difference was that these cows did not need as much feed at the Holstein cattle. We finished up there and went on our way to another farm. Alfa Fodder.

 

(Genesis Farms has their own market)

(The monkey, rabbits, chickens, and plants)

(They use automatic waterers, update each cows 'sign' daily, exercise the cows daily, and the all-black cows are the 50% Boran 50% Holstein crosses)

Unfortunately at this farm they did not allow us to actually go to the barns where the cattle were housed for biosecurity reasons. They had an outbreak of foot and mouth disease and lost a lot of cattle last year in May. They did not have a shoe bath with disinfectant either. But it was okay because I was able to get the gist of my information from the General Manager (& owner I believe). He was from Holland and the cows were 100% Holstein from Holland. Why he came to Africa? I have no idea, he told me he could only give me 10 minutes of his time. So I asked as many questions as I could think of so that I could compare to Genesis Farm and others.

(I didn't get any pictures at Alfa Fodder because we didn't actually see the cows)

I was originally told that I wouldn't have time for questions for the thought that data being collected by the enumerator would take up time. But, today the enumerator did not take any data while were there. He simply went to the farms with us and somewhat translated the questions I asked (although he did not know english very well).

Hannah and I got back a little after lunch time. Sadly the Zebu wasn't serving food yet and the cafeteria was already closed. We decided to go to Kaldi's Coffee just around the corner from ILRI. I had the best BBQ and Ranch burger. Probably the best thing I've eaten since I've been here!

For the afternoon, we went to Dr. Jean Hanson to see what we could help with. Because it was already getting late in the afternoon she didn't want us to start in the cold room quite yet. So I helped her try to track down a paper she was look for that she needed reference. But, tomorrow we planned to go right away to start helping in the cold room of the gene bank. I'm actually pretty excited to start helping with that!

Day 22: Sunday

Hello friends!

Here are some pictures from the the traditional Ethiopian restaurant that we went to with Boni, the driver, and one of her colleagues that works in the forage gene bank at ILRI. 

It was a very cool experience! This injera was actually better than the last time I had it. The meat was especially the best. Before getting our food and afterwards, they brought around a dish to wash our hands. The man would put some soap in your hands then over the bowl he would pour water over your hands while you washed your hands. That was interesting. I have videos but unfortunately I can't upload them to blogger. But while we ate and talked, there were traditional songs played with people doing traditional dances on the stage. So many people were there! It was very packed and by the time we left, two people had to move their vehicles so that we could get out! But all in all, it was a really fun experience! 

This morning, Tigist took us to church again. The sermon was about turning to God's light. Finding that light in the darkness. The pastor was very enthusiastic and it was enjoyable to listen to. After the service, we went to bible study. There we met a lady from Michigan who was very happy to be there and share in God's love with Hannah and I. It was quite interesting to listen to a range of ages in adults talk about the greatness that God offers in everyones lives at the bible study. I'm very glad that I have this opportunity to continue growing in my faith while I am here. 

After bible study, Tigist took us to Kaldi's Coffee. It reminds me a lot of Starbucks. You can find a Kaldi's just about every 100 ft! We got cappuccinos and just talked about different things. I am so glad we were able to connect with Tigist. Just about every other past intern has said that she became their Ethiopian mother. They were not wrong! She is a delight!

Here are pictures of the church!

We got back to ILRI and Hannah and I took naps. I'm not sure what we will do the rest of the day. But, tomorrow we go back to Debre Zeit to OFFICIALLY begin our projects! YAY!

Day 21: Tourist

Hello!

This morning before we went to breakfast it rained lightly. At breakfast I had tea, strawberries, breakfast potatoes, and sausage. After that, Mikhel came to pick us up and take us out to be tourists. We first stopped at the statue of a big black lion. I couldn't tell you what he resembled or meant, but I am guessing it had to do with a past king.

 

Next, we stopped at the Tiglachin Memorial. This memorial was from the Somalian & Cuban war. There were pictures of the cubans who fought for the Ethiopians and two large walls that depicted the issues before and the good after. 

 

On our way up to the St. Mary church (wayyy up in the Northern part of Addis) we had passed the the United States Embassy. Hannah wanted me to take a picture and I didn't even think about it so I tried to get a picture. Well I had forgot that you can't take pictures of government buildings. So, a security guard waved down Mikhel and made his boss come and delete the picture (although, it just went into my recently deleted album). This security guard came and checked my passport too. It was quite embarrassing but I suppose I learned my lesson. He apologized for the inconvenience but he was just doing his job. It was about 25 minutes later when we finally got to the church and museum. 

The elevation was over 9,000 ft whereas Addis Ababa is only 7,726 ft. We paid for the tickets and we went into the museum. It was small but still cool. The 'guide' only spoke Amharic so Mikhel translated to us what he had said about each item. The museum was a dedication to the King Menelik II who ruled from 1889-1913. Mikhel said he was a very wise man and many thought he was a good king. After going through the museum, we walked up to the St. Mary Church. It was also very cold in the high elevation as well! We were not able to go into the church but there were many women especially but a few men all at their knees praying at the church doors. We walked down to where Menelik and his wife had lived. Their 'palace' was not comparable to what we think when we hear palace. It was a large house made from rocks, mud, straw, wood, etc. At the time, I'm sure it was grand. We walked through it and to our surprise, they used cattle horns as hooks! I didn't get a picture of that unfortunately. We walked back out and went to the truck. I took pictures of the scenery on the way up and down. It was very beautiful but also interesting to see how these people lived so high in the hills compared to those in the city. 

This evening, the ILRI Ethiopia Director is taking us to a traditional Ethiopian dinner. I hope it's good! Then tomorrow, Tigist is taking Hannah and I to church in the morning. I really enjoy that church so I am definitely looking forward to it!