Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

WEEKLY NEWS – 24 May 2012

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: LIFE IS LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY. WE DEVELOP FROM THE NEGATIVES

Sakkie Coetzee: Manager NAU

In today’s newsletter –

·         Hunting season officially announced

·         Veld Fires

·         FA and other days

Hunting season officially announced

Cabinet officially approved the 2012 hunting season and a hunter may hunt the following animals: 3 large game species or 2 large game species and 4 small game species or 1 large game specie and 8 small game species or 12 small game species. Large game species are Kudu, Oryx and Red Hartebeest. A hunter may not hunt more than 1 Kudu during the hunting season. Small game species are Springbuck and Warthog. Various bird species may also be hunted.

Hunting permits will only be issued to farm owners or lessees and in case of a Conservancy to the Conservancy Committee. No permits will be issued directly to a hunter. Permits are issued upon submission of a written invitation to the prospective hunter. This invitation must contain the following information: name and address of farm owner or lessee or Conservancy; name and address of hunter; name, number and district where farm or Conservancy is situated; type fencing and whether it is registered; total amount huntable animals which are hunted; period of hunt and the invitation must be signed by the farm owner or lessee or committee. Each permit costs N$100.

Permits are available at the following offices:

For the Karas region: at the Ministry’s offices in Karasburg and Keetmanshoop

For the Hardap region: at the Ministry’s office at Mariental

For the Omaheke region: at the Ministry’s office in Gobabis

For the Otjozondjupa region: at the Ministry’s office in Otjiwarongo

For the Kunene and Otjozondjupa regions: at the Ministry’s office at Outjo

For the Otjozondjupa and Oshikoto regions: at the Ministry’s office in Grootfontein

For the Erongo region: at the Ministry’s offices in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay

Veld Fires

With winter approaching we would like to request members to take the necessary precautions against veld fires. Herewith a few tips on how to prevent fires –

·         stacks have to be packed away from footpaths, paths and railway lines

·         the safest way to keep petrol and diesel is in underground tanks

·         never ever keep fertilizer near petrol storages

·         do proper fire belts

·         discuss plans for a fire belt system with neighbours

·         arrange a joint firefighting system with neighbours

·         ensure that all firefighting equipment is in a working condition

Small stock courses

The following small stock courses are offered:

Boer goats: 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 SNOK courses

The next SWAKARA SNOK course will be held from June 12 – 14, 2012 at the Gellap East Research Farm, Keetmanshoop: 12 June: lamb description, photo judging and breeding and ram selection, electrical shearing demonstration, Herd Master norms / policy and for the workers: stunner, finnishing off lambs, slaughtering and splinting of pelts and an electric shearing demonstration. On June 13: rangeland management, strategic feeding, animal health and a practical rangeland session in the field. On June 14: estates and testaments, pelts analytical register and theory of pelts sorting, pelts sorting. The courses are from 08:00 – 16:00 and are only for current pelts producers. Accommodation will be made available at Gellap Ost. For further details contact John Hartung, Tel 063 223268, Anton Losper, Tel 081 2010679 or Stef Coetzee, Tel 063 224851.

FA and other days

Omuramba FA is holding a meeting on June 5 at 14:00 at Kroonster. Guest speaker is Mr Bertus Kruger who will talk about „Back to Basics“. For further details contact Mrs Christa Engelbrecht, Tel 062 571540, jeng@mweb.com.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.

Dorsland FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on June 6 at 14:00 at Saambou. Guest speaker is Mr Chris Steenkamp who talks about the prospects for the future of auctions. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 062 571527, franseli@iway.na.

Grunau FA is holding its annual Rugby / Hunting dance on June 9 at 16:30 (RSA time) at the Grunau FA house, Grunau. Entrance is N$100 per person whereby a Steak dinner and dance is included. The game between the boks and England will be broadcast on a big screen. Further details from Hans Eberhard, Tel 063 262087, hans@iway.na.

Steinhausen FA is holding a member meeting on June 12 at 14:00 at the FA hall at Farm Steinhausen. For further details contact Mayke Rumpf, Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na.

WestelikeKhomasis holding a meeting on June 13 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. For further details contact Amanda Greeff, Tel 064 551565, Luanda@iway.na.

Helmeringhausen FA is holding a meeting on June 13 at 10:00 at the FA centre. For further details contact Timm Miller, Tel 081 2079974.

Karasberge FA is holding a meeting on June 14 at 14:00 in the FA hall. For further details contact Christine Smith, Tel 081 7759424, elias@iway.na.

The Afrikaner Breeders are holding a grading course on June 19 & 20. On June 19 the course will be held at Klein Onganja and on June 20 at Neudamm. Costs will be N$200 per person. Please register before June 12 with Florence Hamman, Tel 060800 4708, flhamman@mweb.com.na.

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.

Karibib FA is holding a meeting on July 14 at 16:00 at Farm Abbabis. For further details contact Mrs D Gladis, Tel 061 248480, helmuth@hemconamibia.com.

The SA Butchery Training School offers blockman courses (SETA accredited). The courses are about 2 weeks and cost N$6 500. For further details contact Johan, Tel 081 246908, johan@unieke.com.