Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

WEEKLY NEWS – 3 May 2012

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: HAPPINESS IS A GRATEFUL SPIRIT, AN OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE AND A HEART FULL OF LOVE

SAKKIE COETZEE: MANAGER NAU

·         2011 Young Farmer day

·         Small stock courses

In today’s newsletter –

2011 Young Farmer day

The young farmer’s day of MrTimm Miller and his wife Inéz which was hosted by the Helmeringhausen Farmers Association at Farm Aruab on May 2 again emphasized that there is a great need for such days where people want to learn. In spite of the difficult access to the farm, about 160 people attended this day. The farmer’s day was held under the theme “Farm in harmony with the nature for sustainability”. Against the background of this theme, numerous presentations were about the biodiversity of the vicinity which has to be considered when management decisions, practices, etc are applied on the farm.

Mr Dave Pepler, the well known presenter of the KykNet program “Groen” was one of the speakers who pointed out that it is important to take the total vicinity into consideration and not to focus on single aspects only when decisions have to be taken.

MrPepler also emphasized the importance of the wisdom of farming generations who farm for years already and that this wisdom contributes considerably to decisions such as for instance the carrying capacity of a certain farm. In line with this MrTimm Miller, the 2011 Young Farmer gave a detailed explanation of the various nature aspects on the farm. This included the geographical location, history of the farm, all biotic and a-biotic factors which have been researched and noted over the years and which he uses as information to take decision with regard to farming. He farms on his farm with inter alia SWAKARA, goats, cattle and also meat sheep.

Following this, Dr Roy Miller gave an interesting lecture about the connection of geology and underground water and emphasized the importance of underground water in the Namibian land framework. Mr Helmut Stehn, a rangeland expert who is also part of the judging team of the young farmer competition, gave a lecture in the field about all aspects of rangeland.

The president of the NAU, MrRyno van der Merwe in his speech again emphasized the importance of supplementing the profitability of farming by the sustainable management of resources. He also noted the importance of the young farmer competition which was proved by the attendance of that day.

Small stock courses

The following small stock courses are offered:

Boer goats: 9 May – information day at Tsumis. 10 – 11 May – Jnr and Snr course at Tsumis. 21 May – information day at Namboer, Windhoek. 22 – 23 May – Jnr and Snr course at Windhoek. 30 July – information day at NLA, Mariental. 31 July – 1 August – Jnr and Snr course at Mariental.

Van Rooy sheep: 1 & 2 June at Stampriet

Persie sheep: 8 June at the small stock pens, Windhoek show grounds

Damara sheep: 20 and 21 June at Namboer, Windhoek

For further information and registration contact Carina Vermeulen at Tel 061 252994 (only mornings) or send a mail to btgn@mweb.com.na.

SWAKARA courses

The following SWAKARA SNOK courses will be held at Farm Swartkop in the Karasburg vicinity on the 22, 23 and 24 May. On 22 May (from 08:00 – 16:00): lamb description, photo judging and breeding and ram selection, electric shearing demonstration. For the employees: stunner, disposing of lambs, slaughtering and splinting of pelts and electric shearing demonstration. On May (from 08:00 – 16:00): estate and testament, pelts analyses statement and theory of pelts sorting, pelts sorting, Herd Master (breeders) norms/policy. In the evening there will be a function. On May 24 (from 08:00 – 16:00): rangeland management, why farm with SWAKARA, strategic feeding, animal health, practical rangeland session in the veld. The courses are only for current pelts producers and no accommodation is available. May 24 is an open day and can thus be attended by all interested parties. For more details and to register contact Eureka de Jager, Tel 063 683497, 081 3083658 or Rossouw Strauss, Tel 063 280090, 081 2291480.

Clinics in the Karas region

The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that a national measles, oral Polio, Vitamin A Supplementary and Deworming campaign will be held from 5 – 7 June (first round) and from 10 – 12 July (second round) in the Karas region. For any further enquiries contact MrMukuveKavetu at kavetomukuve@yahoo.co.uk.

FA and other days

Otjikondo FA again is hosting the annual FNB Outjo Game Festival on May 4 & 5 at Farm Sophienhof, 10km outside Outjo on the Khorixas road. Artists which will perform are Snotkop, Heinz Winkler and Charlize Berg, Camel- and horse riding is offered as well as a Rodeo, shooting competition and much more. Entrance fees are on Friday N$80 for adults and N$30 for primary school children and on Saturday N$100 for adults and N$50 for primary school children. Further details from André Lombard, 081 1282811, Paul Stommel, 081 3279596 of FanieHeimstädt, 081 2053909.

Hoërand FA is hosting a 4x4 vasbyt on May 5 at 07:00 at Farm Graal of Mr Willie Truter in the Maltahöhe district. Registration starts at 07:00 and the vasbyt starts at 08:00. Admission is N$30 per vehicle and N$100 per entry for the vasbyt. This year four wheel squad bikes can also participate and only ladies and children are welcome. Registration for the squad bikes is N$50. The day is concluded with a dance and dinner and the costs are N$80 for adults and children up to 12 years and children younger than 12 years pay N$30. Camping space is available and Mr Willie Truter can be contacted in this regard at 081 1242993. Tenders for stands are already open and can be booked at BartieBurger, Tel 063 683360 or 081 2842744.

The Namibia Brahman Breeders Association is offering the following trainings and information days: an orientation course on May 9 & 10 at Farm Lichtenstein-West of FamRusch near Windhoek. An advanced course on June 19 & 20 at Farm Strydfontein of Jorg and SteffieSchloder near Grootfontein. The courses are offered by experts and further details can be obtained from MrsHeilwig Andrea-Voigts, Tel 061 240573, brahman@iway.na.

The runner up of the Young Farmer 2011 competition, Mr Willem Groenewald, is hosting his farmer’s day on May 10 at 08:30 at Farm Pierre of Mr Willem Groenewald (70km from Outjo on the OutjoOtavi gravel road). At 14:00 Mr Groenewald will talk about de-bushing practices and theory, at 15:00 a farm sightseeing will be done and at 17:00 the power station on the farm will be visited. Please register on or before May 4 by phoning or sending a sms to NicoleneGroenewald, Tel 081 081 1284114.

The Nguni Breeders Association of Namibia is holding its annual promotion day on May 16 at 08:30 at the Omatjene Research Station. Speakers include inter alia MrHannes von Wielligh and DrMaisire and Mr von Wielligh will also give a practical demonstration. For further details contact Jacob, Tel 081 2187180, Andreas, Tel 067 306805 or Gudrun, Tel 081 2403635.

Aranos FA is holding a meeting on May 23 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Further details from Joleen Mans, Tel 063 250187, kierie@iway.na.

Kalkfeld FA is hosting a grass day / farmer’s day on June 6 at 09:00 at Farm Klein Otjikango-Ost of Günther and Caroline Kahl. Guest speaker is Mr L Lubbe, main agricultural researchers of Windhoek and Messrs S Albat and G Kahl will give a short introduction about de-bushing and field use practices. A grassland sightseeing tour will be held at 14:30. Please register before or on May 31 with Mrs Caroline Kahl, Tel 067 290020. Further details can be obtained from MrsFriedensdorf, Tel 067 290009, kfriedensdorf@iway.na.

The women of Hochfeld FA have arranged a cake decorating workshop, to be held on 26, 27 and 28 June 2012 at Hochfeld Lodge. The course is presented by Capetonian cake decorator, Mrs Anne Tangney. FOUR different courses are now being presented, namely “formal cake decorating”, “basic piping (butter cream) and moulding”, as well as “royal icing and moulding” andthe newest, exciting addition of the “Chocolate Plastique” (chocolatefondant)course. Each course will be repeated on different days, at different timeslots. Participants may choose which courses they would like to attend, and need not attend all three courses. Classes are limited to 10 participants per class. There are still seats available in each class. To register and obtain more details, please contact Bianca Marggraff, Tel 062 504211, 081 3007584, bianca.marggraff@mtcmobile.com.na. Closing date for all registrations and deposits is Thursday,10 May 2012.

The Santa Gertrudis Breeders Association of Namibia is offering a two-day judging course on 4 & 5 July on the farms of Mr Andre Boehmcker and MrImmoWilckens. The course will be offered by Mr Martin Seyfferd. Registration is N$800 per person. Only limited amount participants can take part. For any further enquiries contact MaxieBoehmcker, Tel 081 2688939, moringa@iway.na. Santa Gertrudis are ideal for crossbreeding. Light calves at birth and fast growth.