(This is a first hand account of how these 3 Brahman bulls made their journey from Wewak to Aitape via the main highway)

1. On Monday 5th July 2004, 3x Brahman Bulls made the passage or road journey from their home at Trukai Farms in Erap, Markham Valley in Lae, Morobe Province to the Raihu Cattle Farm in Aitape, Sandaun Province.

This is a summary off the efforts or procedures that went into place, in enbaling this procedure to come through:

- The inclusion of new blood lines, and improved traits within the current herd at the Raihu Farm here in Aitape, is an essential ingredient in improving the genetics, types of cattle being breed here. - In 1982, I likewise shipped 2x Brahman Sires from Zifasing Ranch in the Markham Valley, Lae. - Since this time, only Wara Palpal was sought for replacement bulls, and given that Wara Palpal’s stock basically originated from the Raihu Farm, then you can clearly see that we were only circulating the same blood lines back through the herd here.

2. This consignment of 3 Brahman Bulls from Trukai Industries from in Erap, Lae, were especially breed for their ability to pass on top genetics with strong emphasis upon rapid growth and improved siring performance.

This can only enhance our needs here to improve our own stocking rate, our fertility rate, lowering our monthly rate and more specifically the type of livestock we know is best suited to our surroundings and conditions in this region.

3. The beginnings

The procedures that went into place to ship these bulls from Erap, began back in March this year 2004. When I personally contacted Geoff Fahey, Agribusiness Manager of Trukai Industries in Lae, who had a relevantly large cattle holding at Erap Farms.

The ball was set in motion after my chats with him, numerous faxes, etc, to source out obtaining improved genetic bulls for our needs here.

The biggest hurdle we confronted was in obtaining a cattle crate container small enough to house the relevantly small consignment of bulls.

Trukai Industries was familiar with consignments off 6-800 head through South-East Asia, but Consort Shipping were struggling to locate a container crate for this small number.

4. John Sanderson, Consort Shipping Manager though was most obliging in assisting our endeavours but the location of this cattle container we were told was in Buka with Solomon Islands.

Eventually the container crate was located, and after my cries for compassion, poor and understanding were received with compassionate ears.

Both Trukai Industries and Consort Shipping gave us a huge discount on livestock and freight, which was most gracious.

5. On Monday 21st June, we ‘bon-voyaged’ our ‘wanwok’ Peter Opom who boarded passage by boat to Madang, then taking a PMV to Trukai Farms in the Markham Valley.

Peter spent the next week preparing these 3 Brahman 18mtr bulls for the passage, manhandling them, preparing the stock container, water, grain and hay ready for the 3 ½ days passage from Lae to Wewak.

Meantime, back at home base – Raihu Farm, Aitape, preparations were also in full swing. The farms stock yards were given an update rails replacement and strengthened. Loading ramp all revamped in preparation of our new arrivals.

The diocese’s 6-ton truck was brought into the state of play, and driven to the farm where we wailed down re-enforced arc-mesh sheets on the tray which would stop any bulls slipping.

6. During transit from Wewak to Aitape

The flooring was also strengthened on the trucks’ tray, and this vehicle held the responsibility of new arrivals safely in Wewak, and then safely bringing our new members home to the farm.

WE SET OFF

On Tuesday 29th June around 8am, we rolled out of Aitape, destined for Wewak the 6,000 truck carrying numbers of student nurses, students and other passengers which easily matched the great trains in India for numbers! It also collected bags of cocoa beans at Yakamul destined for sales at Agmark in Wewak.

7. The farm land cruiser went on ahead slowly, just far enough to observe Steven Magate, coming up the rear in a head of dust in the diocese truck. Thankfully we all arrived safely at our destiny, Wewak at around 4pm.

Though an inspection of the truck showed front end damage, most, most upsetting was the fact that this vehicle ventured out of Aitape with very little engine oil. The dipstick was dry on inspection at Wirui. (A clean engine and no leaking points visable. 'Some areas of improvement are needed'.)

Following day we received accomodation by Bishop Tony Burgess at Wirui. (‘The old house in the wall’ for those that may remember, is now his new office. Harry Wolo, stalwart, loyal companion, and all round good guy, carried out a more thorough inspection of the 6,000 truck to see that it had in fact snapped the centre bolt on the front left lead springs and V bolts.

8. So basically the truck’s front suspension was running well off line and had chewed out the tyre thread off the tyre.

With the urgent need to fit the cattle crate from Wirui’s Farm (which we were able to borrow), we had numerous modifications if it was to fit our 6ton tray.

The stock yards at Wirui also required fixing in preparation for the housing of the 3 bulls during the swap over from the shipping container to stock crate. ‘Time was at the essence’.

9. Fortunately, all fell into place eventually. Repairs on the truck were carried out thanks to Mario for his 6ton truck jack. Then the stock yards were repaired and loading ramps constructed.

ARRIVALS

On July 5th at 11:45am the Niugini Coast 368 had docked at Wewak wharf with a much relieved Peter Opom to see our truck standing by for the off loading of our new arrivals.

The kindness, assistance show to us by ex-Patrician (Aitape) Br. Philip Turner who is now Sepik Coastal Shipping Manager, and his rightman, Paul Martin (an old mate of mine in years gone by) was nothing short of exceptional.

Special permission was sought to enter the habour side with our truck, and after various alterations to allow both the shipping crate container and ours to line up, the bulls gradually made the transition from their home of the past 3 ½ days, to their temporary home for the next 18 hours.

So it was with our new arrivals aboard, and having cleared customs, we ventured to Wirui Farm where we collectively decided that with 4 hours of sunglight to go this day, we may as well make a start for home.

Though travelling at night is against my better judgement on this track, and especially considering we had none-stop rain the previous 2 days, I was somewhat reluctant. My view was that if we could get through Matapau Mountain before dark then we’d be okay.

As it turned out, it was dark by Sowam. So the hill at Matapau was confronted by the guidance of good truck lights, and my reliable spot light.

10. Through Suain, the new arrivals rolled onwards as the landcruiser loaded with 20 bags stockfeed, 1x drum fuel, oil drums (you name it), pulled into the sisters for a much appreciated cuppa. We shared our adventure and passed on their groceries as ordered when we came through previously.

The remaining leg of the Suain- Aitape route went without fault, and at 10:30pm we quietly entered the farms’ entrance without too much allay, and were all relieved to have arrived back safely.

The bulls remained on the truck overnight as i didn’t want any potential risk of last minute tragedies by trying to offload the stock in the dark and breaking a leg or what ever.

11. It was also important that the bulls meet their new family in daylight, the introduction carefully observed by all the raihu farm workers.

The possiblity of conflict between the old bulls and new arrivals, was pre-locating them before our arrival.

Throughout the night, i did the ‘nanny thing’ and watched over the bulls until they soon settled down and on reflection, i beleive this was a good decision.

Daylight on Tuesday 6th July, the bulls were trucked to the loading ramp at the stock yards the bigherd were brought to the location, and all were introduced without any pomp or ceremony.

Now the 3 Brahman bulls are doing exceptionally well, and have thrived on the luscious para-grass in its current abundancies.

12. My heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude must go to a long list of people without who’s consultation, this would not have been possible. I say thankyou to:

- Bishop Austen Crapp, OFM (DOA) - Fr. Timothy Elliott, OFM (DOA) - Bishop Tony Burgess (DOW) - Br. Daniel, SVD (DOW) - Br. Karl, SVD (DOW) - Staff of Wirui Catholic Mission - Transport Committee (DOA) - Finance Committee (DOA) - Mr. Geoff Fahey (Trukai Industries Manager) - Mr. John Mok (Trukai Farm Manager) - Mr. John Sanderson (Consort Shipping Agencies & Staff) - Mr. Philip Turner (Sepik Coastal Shipping, Wewak) - Mr. Paul Martin (Sepik Coastal Shipping – Maintenance) - Mr. Mario (Dieters Motors, Wewak) - Mr. Steven Magote (DOA Driver) - Mr. Brian - Mr. Peter Opom (Raihu Farm, DOA) - Mr. Harry Wolo (Raihu Farm, DOA) - And Mr. Henrick Awalaki (Raihu Farm, DOA)

Without their kindness, hospitality, charity and delightful willingness to assist in whatever way they could, to see our dream through to its’ entirety.

We will always be trully grateful for your part in seeing us through this challenge from its beginning to its successful conclusion.

Sincerely

Gerry Melican
Raihu Cattle Farm Manager
Aitape.