WEEKLY NEWS – 3 February 2012
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: THE CASH PAYER IS BOSS OF HIS POCKET – J C Langenhoven
In today’s newsletter –
· Dairy Producers Association (DPA) held meeting
· Agronomic Producers Association (APA) held meeting
· FA and other news
Dairy Producers Association (DPA) held meeting
The DPA management held a planning session on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 with regard to the profitability of the dairy industry and possibilities to save further costs to mediate the survival of this industry. Discussions mainly went around the transport and feed costs which cause a continuous expense pinch, especially in the light of the continuous dumping of cheap milk products into the country and the dairy industry which cannot compete with these subsidized prices. Coupled with this, the Dairy Association tries for some time now to motivate government to protect the dairy industry against the import of subsidized milk products. Even though the Ministry of Trade has launched a study about the above, the dairy industry hopes that the measures of government (if approved) will not be too late to save this strategic industry.
On February 1, 2012 the DPA held a management meeting during which various matters were discussed. The overhead subject is still the threat which the dumping of cheap products has on this struggling industry. Negotiations are still ongoing to reduce transport costs. Namibian producers will not be able to handle the pressure of a stable milk price with no prospects of an increase any longer. The Dairy Association is in common consent about possible support actions to small scale producers.
Agronomic Producers Association (APA) held meeting
The APA management invited Mrs B Mudamburi of the Ogongo Campus of the University of Namibia to inform them about the results of the University’s tests on conservancy agronomy. Even though promising, the results are not relevant yet and the tests still have to carry on for a few years in order to get clear results. Rainfall in the past two rainy seasons was above average and also influenced the results. Similar studies are planned for the commercial sector.
The taking of soil samples on farms of interested agronomists will start in June / July 2012 again and everybody is encouraged to take part. Several information days are planned in cooperation with providers in order to keep producers up to date on current subjects and to expand the network of information.
The Master Agronomist of the Year competition already started and judging will be done next week. As soon as the winner has been announced, the venue for the member meeting / Master Agronomist of the Year award will be announced and it will be held on Thursday, April 19,2 012. Regional- and Farmers Associations are requested not to hold any events on that day for agronomist producers to prevent a clash of dates.
The APA management expressed its appreciation towards the Groundnut Association which started to get active again and trust that they will have a good harvest.
2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition
The 2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on March 31, 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show Grounds. The theme is “//karas” (which means Kokerboom). Exhibitors can book their exhibition space now already. Exhibition space can be booked with Antoinette Oosthuysen, Tel 063 683433, antoinetteoosthuysen@iway.na. To enter braai teams – FA and social, contact Brenda Kotze, Tel 063 281208, Kalahari@iway.na and any other information can be obtained from Willem Steenkamp, Tel 063 280655, toulon@iway.na. Entries for the FA and social teams close on February 29, 2012 (the previous closing date was February 15 but it has been changed to February 29). Entry forms and rules as well as the program can be obtained on the NAU website under the following links:
Forms and rules:
Program:
NSBA Meat production school
The Namibia Stud Breeders Association is hosting a meat production school from March 13 – 15, 2012 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. On March 13 a welcome function will be held at the Safari Hotel at 19:00 and will be opened by the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr John Mutorwa. On March 14 & 15 the program each starts at 08:00. The ladies program is on March 14 and will be from 14:00 – 17:00 and the gala evening is on March 14 at 19:00 at the Safari Hotel. Speakers at the school will be Messrs R E F Rusch, Poena Potgieter, Prof F W Neser, Dr H Dreyer, Brian Finkley (UK) Walter Roodt, Leon Lubbe, Dr M Bradfield, Martin Ferreira, Bertus Kruger, Mr Kellerman and Francois de Chalain. The summary will be done by the chairperson of the NSBA, Mr Ryno van der Merwe. Registration fee for the full school is N$850 per person whereby meals and material are included. A one day attendance will be N$430 per person whereby meals and material are included. The fee for the ladies program is N$250 per person whereby coffee and cake is included and the speaker at the ladies program is Riaan Momberg who talks about Efekto in and around the house. Further details from Mr Els, Tel 061 235158, Jacque@iway.na. Entry forms and the program are available at the NSBA or can be downloaded from the NAU website at -
Entry form:
Program:
FA and other news
Omuramba FAwill hold a meeting on February 14 at 15:00 at Kroonster. For further details contact Christa Engelbrecht, Tel 062 571540, jeng@mweb.com.na.
Hoërand FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on February 15 at 15:00 at Stubbenkamer. Guest speakers will be representatives from Emed24, Nammed and FNB. For further details contact Fesia Truter, Tel 063 294216, saddleboerdery@mweb.com.na.
Otavi FA will hold a meeting on February 8 at 09:00 at the Neels van Tonder Hall, Otavi. For further details contact Mrs Christine Stoman, Tel 067 304971, stoman@mweb.com.na.
The Namibia Scientific Society is hosting a lecture about “The role of tourism in conservancies”. This lecture is given by Keith Sproule and Usiel Ndjavera of WWF Namibia and will be held on February 15 at 19:00 at the Scientific Society, 110 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. Entrance is free and donations are welcome. For further details contact Hilda-Marie Botha of the Namibia Environment & Wildlife Society, Tel 061 306450, information@NEWS-Namibia.org.
Klein Karas FA is holding a meeting on February 9 at 08:00 at Farm Us of Leon & Petro van Wyk. He offers “Farming in practice”. For the ladies there will be time for some craft work. For further details contact Berdine de Klerk, Tel 081 2474469, arbeid@mtcmobile.com.na.
Dordabis FA is holding a meeting on February 9 at 14:00 in the FA hall. Guest speaker is the Governor of the region, Mr S Nuuyoma. For further details contact Christine Romeis, Tel 061 231230, cwromeis@iway.na.
Koës FA is holding a meeting on February 10 at 08:00 at the FA hall. The management will consider offering a course about labour matters. For further details contact Gert Vermeulen, Tel 063 252649, 081 1299817, gertvermeulen173@gmail.com.
Leonardville FA is holding a meeting on February 16 at 17:00. Further details from Ellen Burger, Tel 062 581010, 081 3132305, kleingeluk@mtcmobile.com.na.
Karasberge FA is holding a meeting on February 16 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Further details from Christine Smith, Tel 063 280847, elias@iway.na.
Witvlei FA is holding a meeting on February 15 at 15:00 in the farmer house at Witvlei. A guest speaker will talk about farm security and further details can be obtained from Mrs Monica Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.
The Charcoal producers will hold a charcoal information / trainings day on March 24 at 08:00 at the Grootfontein Rugby Club. All charcoal producers who will attend are requested to bring along their charcoal foremen. Matters which will be discussed are inter alia the prevention of veldfires caused by charcoal burning, fire insurance, etc. For further details and to register, please contact Mr Willem Enslin, Tel 081 2305078.
Keetmanshoop RAU is hosting a management course from February 22 – 23, 2012. Piet and Christine Stoman will offer this course on behalf of the NAU and interested parties can contact Berdine de Klerk at Tel 081 2474469, arbeid@mtcmobile.com.na.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on March 3 at 17:00 at Kaltenhausen. For further details contact Mr Polla Swart, Tel 061 241191.
Following a submission by consultants about the new Meatco structure in December last year, Meatco decided to host Road Shows in order to inform producers. These Road Shows will take place on the following days:
13 Februaryat 09:00 at the Opuwo Community Centre, Opuwo; 14 Februaryat 11:00 at the Oshakati Country Hotel, Oshakati; 15 Februaryat 12:00 at the Regional Council Auditorium, Rundu; 16 Februaryat 12:00 at the Old Legislative Community Hall, Katima Mulilo. For further details and to register please contact the following persons: Grootfontein: Amoré Els 067 242968; Okakarara: Madonna Katupose 067 317689; Otjiwarongo and Khorixas: Louise Vermeulen 067 302172; Omaruru: Rivonia !Omes 062 505741; Opuwo, Oshakati and Rundu: Patrick Liebenberg 065 220241; Katima Mulilo: Obed Katuura 066 253662.
The annual motivation day of Mariental Regional Agricultural Union will be held on March 22 at Mariental. Further details will be announced soon or can be obtained from Mr Hannes Visagie, Tel 063 275342, jwv@mweb.com.na.
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