Moate makes an impact with Bóthar in Kosovo

A herd of heifers from Westmeath is set to head to Kosovo for a new life assisting farmers there in supporting entire families through their farms.

A 'Pass-On' initiative means that the heifers will also end up benefitting the wider community, as their offspring are shared with other local farmers.

The heifers are donated by a supporters group near Moate to the agriculture-based non-governmental organisation Bóthar, which specialises in providing livestock and training to empower families, enhancing their livelihoods and nutritional standards.

Bóthar shipped 30 in-calf heifers to Kosovo on last week on Thursday, October 10, to assist families who currently rely on subsistence farming. Partnering with local Kosovo organisation Meshqerra, the programme is dedicated to transforming these farms into sustainable operations that yield economic, health, and nutritional benefits for entire families.

Four of the heifers in this shipment are sponsored by the Moate Bóthar supporters group.

In two weeks time, another donation of 10 heifers from the group is going as part of another shipment of 30 in-calf heifers to Kosovo. In total, the Moate group will have doubled their donation this year.

Beneficiaries of last year's shipment are already producing butter; yoghurt and cheese with the excess sold in local markets creating a secondary economy for these families.

A crucial aspect of Bóthar’s work is ensuring animal welfare during the full life cycle of the project. The donated heifers have been reared under best practice farming regulations of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine here in Ireland.

Kosovo NGO Meshqerra provide training in animal husbandry and inspect all the farms before the animals are distributed.

The families in Kosovo will subsequently receive follow up visits and veterinary support to ensure the ongoing health of the heifer and her calf.

Bóthar's programme provides an avenue for young animals to thrive in new environments where they are the most prized animal on farm.

Prior to export, the animals are inspected in Roscrea, with passport checks along with inspection of the transportation. Good quality lairage, essentially animal B&B, is planned in the journey log.

While this commitment to animal welfare may increase costs, Bothar says it is vital for maintaining the comfort and well-being of the animals throughout their journey.

Bóthar CEO Ailish O’Reillyn said, "Treating animals well, ensuring there is good lairage, is not just our responsibility and good ethics; it is best for the animal and best for the recipient farmer to receive a healthy animal.”

Photographs and updates from the animals over the course of their journey to Kosovo will also be requested and shared on social media as part of transparency and accountability.

On arrival and after a minimum two-week quarantine, Kosovo farmers receive a grass-reared healthy cow and in spring, a calf.

While live exports are often debated, Bóthar emphasises that responsible practices can lead to positive outcomes.

One success of the Bóthar programme is the "Pass-On" gift, in which beneficiaries in Kosovo are encouraged to become donors themselves. Each family participating in the programme agrees to pass on the first female offspring of their livestock to another pre-selected family, thereby fostering a cycle of generosity and support within the community.

Bóthar says this is “a motivation to give that started with farm families in Moate and continues in Kosovo.”