SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN CUBA AND UGA EXTENSION DISTANCE DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM

1. SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN CUBA AND UGA EXTENSION DISTANCE DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM Walter,* J.C., Fonseca, M., Fowler, R. R. III Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Jasper County Extension 145 E. Washington Street Monticello, GA 31064 jcwalter@uga.edu Horticulture Specialist, University of Georgia, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30023 mfonseca@uga.edu Philanthropist, Arnold Foundation 2141 Emory Street Covington, GA 30014 rfowler@mainstreetbank.com

2. SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN CUBA ANDUGA EXTENSION DISTANCE DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEMWalter*, J.C.,1, Fonseca, M. 2; Fowler, R.R. III,31 A&NR Extension Agent, University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Jasper County, Monticello, Georgia 310642 Extension Horticulture Specialist, State Master Gardener Coordinator, UGA-CAES, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 302233 UGA-DDDI Consortium member, P.O. Box 1098, Covington, GA 30015 ABSTRACT Subsequent to invitation by Dr. Pepe Morales of Institute of Animal Improvement, Havana, Cuba, three UGA –Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging (DDDI) Consortium members with international sustainable agriculture interest and experience in Central America, attended the"SIGA 2004" (II Simposio Internacional sobre Ganaderia Agroecologica: Evento y Gira de Estudios "Agroecologia en Cuba de Oriente a Occidente") symposium. Over 20 countries were represented from as far away as South Africa and Argentina; the 62 registered conference/tour participants included numerous Cuban producers and scientists. Objectives included learning more about Sustainable Agriculture (specifically Sustainable LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION) projects and programs across Cuba. The week long symposium/tour had us travel on buses from “East to West”-starting in the far eastern part of the island, in Las Tunas, and ending in the west, in Havana. We participated as invited speakers for the scientific symposium presentations on the first of five days. We also toured numerous farms (private and government owned) and various agriculture institutes, universities, and research stations. Observations: different production systems started with Communist regime fifty years ago (e.g. UBPC - large corporate type, government owned farms; CPA - smaller, co-op style operations with several producers and farms; vertically integrated to include processing (i.e. of milk) and marketing; CCS - community supported, urban type, large truck gardens); private land owners and government involvement, plus unique dual- purpose cattle breeding, agroforestry, pasture rotation, and livestock/plant materials composting practices.

3. Sustainable Livestock Production in Cuba and UGA Extension Distance Diagnostics System • Subsequent to invitation by Dr. Pepe Morales of Institute of Animal Improvement, Havana, Cuba, three UGA –Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging (DDDI) Consortium members with international sustainable agriculture interest and experience in Central America, attended the"SIGA 2004" (II Simposio Internacional sobre Ganaderia Agroecologica: Evento y Gira de Estudios "Agroecologia en Cuba de Oriente a Occidente") symposium. Over 20 countries were represented from as far away as South Africa and Argentina; the 62 registered conference/tour participants included numerous Cuban producers and scientists.

5. Objectives: learning more about Sustainable Agriculture (specifically Sustainable LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION) projects and programs across Cuba. • The week long symposium/tour had us travel on buses from “East to West”-starting in the far eastern part of the island, in Las Tunas, and ending in the west, in Havana. • We participated as invited speakers for the scientific symposium presentations on the first of five days. We also toured numerous farms (private and government owned) and various agriculture institutes, universities, and research stations.

6. Discussion will include: different production systems started with Communist regime fifty years ago (e.g. UBPC - large corporate type, government owned farms; CPA - smaller, co-op style operations with several producers and farms; vertically integrated to include processing (i.e. of milk) and marketing; CCS - community supported, urban type, large truck gardens); private land owners and government involvement, plus unique dual- purpose cattle breeding, agroforestry, pasture rotation, and livestock/plant materials composting practices.

7. November 10th- first day of conference: II Symposium on Agroecology andII Congress of Animal Improvements • Note: Weeklong Itinerary to include 5 days with farm visits; 2 days arrival/depart through Jamacia plus presentations throughout week at conference centers and various institutes and universities. • The UGA-CAES team comprised of Rob, Marco, and Jean; arrived in Cuba via Jamaica on July 10th. • Met by Dr. Pepe Morales at La Habana (Havana) airport; helped through customs by liaison & then to VIP Suite; we were issued a temporary visa in Jamaica; not stamped in passport, although we were traveling with U.S. government-Dept of Treasury license); they provided transportation to downtown hotel and at 3:00 a.m. departed for local airfield and flight to Las Tunas (2 hours) • (would have been 10 hours to drive from Havana)

8. November 11th -day 2 • Met in LasTunas (means "the cactus") in eastern part of the country (looked a lot like our US Southwest) and traveled to government operated hotel; went to local teachers' institute for welcoming speeches, poster session and Scientific Programs. • Team made DDDI presentation in Spanish @ 2:30 p.m. – Commission “C” (Group with topics and interest in management in an. health & production and improvements/ sanitation of agro-production); gave hand-outs of DDDI system already translated into Spanish • Our 20 min. ppt presentation about DDDI system made at same time as two other groups-A and B; over two days-2 x 8 hour sessions- 20 minutes each)

9. Day 3 - Friday, November 12th • Traveled with Group B – on buses now (3 total) • Visited large cattle farm=VAQUERIA “17” y module of small animals (goats, poultry, rabbits, ducks, swine) mostly a dairy operation—1300 ha – 1500 cows (Braham/Brown Swiss) producing 1.4 m liters/in 2003 (6.12/day-cow) • Also had lg scale vermiculum (worm production)– completely compost all animal waste on farm. • No use of chemical/fertilizers. • 285 workers participated – individual groups work in the production of agronomic groups. • Interesting forage/grazing systems including alley cropping of Bermuda type grasses with legumes on trellis called “Perdestal” system – This maximizes spaces and includes rotation of 5-8 days.

10. Day 4 -Saturday, November 13th • Traveled to Camaguey. “The city of big clay water pigs” • Visited “Represa 1” – a very large cattle ranch(grass vs grain feed lot)called "Empressa Pecana de Cuba Rectangulo”-finishing on rangeland; divided into blocks 1-2 HA larges with combination of Bermuda and legueme (Leucaena leucocephala cv.); doing much A.I. breeding of Brahman and Brown Swiss and other breeds for dual purpose (milk and beef). Local ranchers put on small rodeo with calf roping and bull riding for us to see.

11. Day 5- Sunday, November 14th • Visited private farm owner – Jose Casimilo of “Del Medio” - his farm is part of CCS Co-op farm – volunteer assn of small farmers – (different than large UBPC system); associated with co-op, production can be sold by farmers; they had: tobacco,cattle, bees, horses, children, vegetable garden with compost; very old farm house, 3 children-work on farm with wife; in middle of several years of a drought. Wind mill-irrigated 50% of crops.No chemicals – all organic.farmer; invented his own sugar cane shredder for the livestock.

12. Day 6-Monday, November 15th • Santa Clara - "La cuidad del Che" • Visited the University of Central de Las Villas “Marta Abreu” • Presentations by: Council of. Churches in Cuba, Etno veterinaria en Guatemala presentation. • Visited 12 HA-very large UBPC Dairy farms with grass from Mexico "Lecheria Aleman, UBCP Desembarco del Granma"- hybrid “Mulato” brashiaria and king grass, sugar cane; no concentrate for cattle food;no fertilizers of herbicides; cut grasses by hand for hay; large production of worms and compost and rabbits. • Visited "La Plaza del Che" Guevara with the very large memorial and area edicated to Che Guevara and those who fought with him in the revolution; took in the history of the city where there were significant battles of the revolution 1958-59.

13. Day 7- Tuesday, November 16th • “La Atenas de Cuba” near the city of “Matanzas” • Visited large research station with turf grass test plots and pastures called “Indio Hatuey;” highlights included: • --turf grass trial plots with several bermuda species, incl. UGA varieties; agroforestry system with cattle and goats and legume (locust variety) trees. • --mulberry shrub production for grazing of cattle, sheep & goats, rabbits, and also harvested for hay.

14. Day 8- Wednesday, November 17th • Day 8- Wednesday, November 17th • travled to tourists area of the beach of Varadero , about one hour northeast of Havana-- there were many golf courses there and tourists from all over the world; all of the groups made presentations of their findings and conclusions of the week long visits; these presentations were made to the general assembly of conference attendees as well as VIP guests including the vice-minister of agriculture, Dr. Morlales, and the FAO-Unambassador to Cuba, and symposium organizers.

15. Day 9 -Thursday November 18th • - • Traveled to Havana the evening before and got to see a few historic sights in the city at night including the fort at the entrance to the habor and the old cathedral; enjoyed a late night meal at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Morales; left from Havana airport Thursday am with Dr. Morlaes and asistant to once again help with check-in and deportation formalities.