HOPE FOR FARM FAMILIES
By Charlie Fischer
Editor's note: The goal of the Hope for Farm Families program is to help rural farmers in Latvia by building and distributing flocks of high-yielding meat sheep. These flocks will feed the farmers' families and provide income from sheep meat sales. The HFFF program is directed by a team of volunteers who are glorifying and honoring the Lord by using their skills in agriculture to help poor farmers in eastern Latvia.
The team also employs a Latvian agricultural specialist, Dr. Genovefa Norvele, who trains farmers in new techniques to help them manage their flocks. Most sheep farmers in Latvia are women, and their flocks are 5 to 6 sheep.
BBI assists the HFFF team by managing donations given toward the program (bookkeeping, receipting, and wiring funds to Latvia); having a BBI representative be part of the team; and acting as the employer for Dr. Norvele (paying out the salary and taxes, arranging for benefits).
Latvian Sheep Flock Growing
The Hope for Farm Families program in eastern Latvia is moving ahead despite continued problems related to importing sheep from other countries. The team is especially thankful to all of you for your interest, prayers, and financial support. Excellent Lamb Crop From the First Flock
The first sheep flock purchased with Hope For Farm Families program funds came from a Latvian breeder who had imported rams from Germany several years ago and crossed them on Latvian Darkhead ewes. Of the ten ewe lambs purchased, nine gave birth to thirteen lambs, which is very good for ewes not quite a year old. Ten of the lambs survived-five males and five females. The females have been left with the flock and the males have been distributed to local sheep producers.
Certified Latvian Darkhead Breeding Farm Developed
Dr. Norvele (the HFFF program supervisor in Latvia) suggested that the team establish a regional certified Latvian Darkhead breeding farm from which ewes and rams could be distributed to farm flocks in the Rezekne area. The breeding farm was established last summer and an additional fourteen ewe lambs and one yearling ewe were added to the original flock.
This winter, the first flock consisted of 30 breeding ewes. Hopefully, in summer of 2003, the Latvian government will certify the flock. It will then qualify for a subsidy that will enable the program to buy and distribute many more improved Darkhead sheep.
Rams Distributed to Local Farmers
Four rams were purchased from the Latvian breeder in addition to the ewe lambs, and three of them have been loaned to local sheep producers. In addition, the five ram lambs from the program have been distributed.
Altogether, the improved rams are servicing almost 200 Latvian Darkhead ewes. Next fall there should be another fifteen ram lambs to distribute to local sheep producers.
The ram program is having a significant impact in eastern Latvia as most of the small farmers do not have the money to buy improved rams for their small flocks.
Planning for the Future
The primary objective for the program is to import excellent meat-type breeding stock to build quality flocks. However, establishing a certified Darkhead breeding farm is important and will be very helpful in improving the sheep flocks in eastern Latvia.
The current HFFF program stock are about half-way toward the ultimate goal of large, heavily-fleshed sheep that will have a high percentage of twin lambs and will reach market weight in 90 to 100 days. This type of stock is badly needed to improve the Latvian farm flocks. Hopefully this type of stock can be purchased as soon as Latvia allows sheep to be imported.
The HFFF team is also considering artificial insemination using sperm imported from Australia or New Zealand, if the importation of live sheep continues to be banned. The team would appreciate your prayers that the import issue would be favorably resolved in the near future.
The funds raised to initiate and sustain the HFFF program are almost depleted. A major fund-raising effort will begin shortly, with a goal of ,000 to ,000 to continue and expand this program.
By pressing ahead, the hope is that within five years the program will have developed a viable sheep industry in eastern Latvia that will sustain itself without outside funding or assistance.
Thank you for your interest and support.
| Hope for Farm Families team: | 
Charlie Fischer, Professor Emeritus, Extension Crop Specialist,
Oregon State University;
Bill Riddell, sheep and cattle production; turf and forage seed farmer;
Steve Hauser, Christian camp management; small fruit and nut production; irrigation setup and monitoring;
Dan Roth, missionary; cattle production and farm management;
Dr. Fred Frederiks, veterinarian serving the livestock industry;
sheep breeder;
Dr. Genovefa Norvele, scientist in charge of sheep research, breeding, and production technology in eastern Latvia, Latgale region;
Marsha Hill, VP, Bridge Builders International, assisting the HFFF team.
|
|
|
