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February 2004 |
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All or nothing, and the
“sertão” will turn into sea… |
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Confirming the popular saying that “years ending in 4” are
always very rainy, the month of January of 2004 surprised
us with very significant rainfall, reaching 399 mm! A
record!
The soil is now drenched to such a point that, at the
moment, it is not possible to plow it and to plant the
sorghum, sesame and buffel grass as scheduled for
this “winter”!
On the other hand, all the dams are being filled with a
lot of water, and some have even overflowed, such as the
Mocó Dam, on the Conceição Stream, which was built a year
ago and which did not fill up last year. With a total
volume of 600,000 cubic meters we are less concerned for
this year. |
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Landscape that brings hope of
equilibrium to the whole region. |
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In fact, the volume of water it holds is a nice surprise
to all, offering water close to many homes, ensuring our
mango crop – since a water main takes its waters to the
mango tree plantation area – and enabling a significant
increase in the plantation of mandante grass, a
cheap source of hay produced in the periods when the
waters recede. But all this rainfall also causes some
problems, with the water cutting across the roads and
paths that are used by tractors, trucks and the farm’s
inhabitants.
We should think that the water table will also recover
after so many consecutive years of drought, bringing back
equilibrium to the whole region.
Water in the sertão is pure joy, a valuable
present, a guarantee of life and hope! |
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Motivation, Commitment and Self-Esteem for
Success |
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Another successful Workshop, lasting four hours, was held
at Fazenda Tamanduá on December 20, 2003. This time the
objectives were the following: to promote
professional motivation among the workers, to stimulate
improved quality in workers’ procedures when carrying out
their duties, to develop professional skills by
maximizing their qualitative potential and to make
the worker aware of the new professional situation that
now exists.
We benefited from the participation of Mércia Lustosa
Félix Lima (of the State Education and Culture
Department) as a speaker, and we assembled about 40 of
Mocó Agropecuária’s workers, representing many different
activities. During the event, several group activities
using audio-visual resources were carried out, also
enhancing the participants’ awareness through relaxation
exercises. |
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Confraternization was part of the Workshop |
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Our commitment was accomplished! It was unquestionably a
very pleasant event, surrounded by an atmosphere of
friendliness, and was held in the Christmas season
specifically with a view to promoting greater integration
among the participants.
The experience was very good, so we hope to promote the
same event again, involving all the workers next time.
And the result could be shown through our workers’
declarations.We
have asked:
What did you learn during the event?
See
their answers: |
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“I learnt the importance of appreciating one’s profession.”
(Robsanubia S. Assis) |
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“To serve our company always, regardless of the working
days and hours.” (Nilma R. de Souza ) |
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“To respect the environment and my colleagues.” (Damiana
R. da Costa) |
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“The importance of maintaining and preserving the
equipment, materials and implements used in our work. Always
avoiding waste.” (Lúcio B. Morais) |
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“I learnt how to be a good professional, and to respect the
company’s rules, such as attendance and working hours.” (Roldão
L. Nobrega) |
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“A greater spirit of friendship among colleagues within the
company.” (Ana Lúcia dos Santos) |
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And what are the prospects for the future? “To improve
ourselves more and more as professionals in the future.”
Texto :
Paula Silveira, Fazenda Tamandua food engeneering |
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2nd Course in
Organic Livestock Raising |
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The 2nd Training Course in Organic
Livestock Raising was held in the town of Botucatu, in
the interior of São Paulo, in the period from December
11 to 13, 2003; it was organized by Orion Consultores
Orgânicos Associados. The target public for this
course was Veterinarians, Animal Technicians and
Agronomists who work or who are interested in working
in the organic system, focusing on livestock raising –
whether in the dairy or the meat segment, and with
cattle, hogs, goats, sheep or buffalo. Fazenda
Tamanduá, a forerunner of the organic movement in the
Brazilian North-Eastern region, sent its Veterinarian,
Alan Glayboon de Freitas Oliveira, to take part in the
event. |
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The addresses, which were very well delivered by the
organizers of the event, Veterinarian Luiz Henrique
Witzler and Agronomist Sérgio Pimenta, covered all
aspects related to organic livestock raising, with
emphasis on management, a crucial aspect for the
success of the activity. The management of pastures,
animals and permitted raw materials was discussed, as
well as the well-being of animals, a basic premise
that determines the technical and economic feasibility
of animal production systems. There were also talks on
animal homeopathy, diagnosis and organic
certification, with all the methodology needed to make
a property organic, as well as traceability and food
safety. The Course ended with a visit to a small,
self-sustaining, organic property situated in the
rural region of Botucatu - SP. |
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Cloudy sky and Fazenda Tamandua cattle |
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With the participating public composed of people from
several regions of the country, there was a great deal
of exchange of information and great interaction
between the audience and speakers, which made the
event very dynamic. At the end, the organizers of the
event expressed their wish that each participant
should be a disseminator of the organic movement
throughout the country, just like “a seed sown in
fertile soil”, in order to germinate, grow and give
fruit. That is what all of us hope for.
Congratulations, Orion, and good luck to the new
organic livestock enthusiasts!!! |
Text:Alan
Glayboon de Freitas Oliveira,
Fazenda Tamandua
Veterinarian
Doctor |
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