Namibia Agriculture Union

WEEKLY NEWS – 11 May 2012

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: A SMILE IS A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW OF THE SOUL, INDICATING THAT THE HEART IS AT HOME.

In today’s newsletter –

SAKKIE COETZEE: MANAGER NAU

·         Farmers’ day of 2011 Runner up Young Farmer of the Year

·         FA and other news

Farmers’ day of 2011 Runner up Young Farmer of the Year

The farmers’ day of the runner up of the 2011 Young Farmer of the Year competition, Mr Willem Groenewald on his Farm Pierre between Outjo and Otavi, again put the importance of the control of bush encroachment on farms in the spotlight.

The successful farmers’ day which was hosted by Noordgrens FA in cooperation with MrGroenewald, was attended by a large group of people from Northern areas. The president of the NAU, MrRyno van der Merwe who was one of the speakers, emphasized the importance of the management of resources in his speech. This connected with MrGroenewald’s presentation about his activities to improve his rangeland through de-bushing and an effective after-care program.

MrGroenewald uses the unnecessary bushes to produce charcoal, but more important is the regular burning program he applies to do after-care for re-growth. It was clear that the control of bush encroachment in the northern parts of the country must be an integral part in the current management system of farmers and most probably also for coming generations.

The pilot plant for a project for the use of bush to generate power is also on MrGroenewald’s farm. CENORED is busy with the last adjustments in order to enable power generated by this plant to be taken up in the national distribution network.  

Small stock courses

The following small stock courses are offered:

Boer goats: 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 news

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.

Witvlei FA is holding a slaughtering oxen competition on May 23 & 24. On May 23 it will be held at the Namboer kraals, Witvlei from 08:00 and on May 24 the cattle will be slaughtered at the Meatco abattoir, Windhoek. The day will be concluded with a Steak braai. For further details contact Mrs M Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.

The Scientific Society offers a German lecture by Dr Roy Miller under the theme “ Multidisciplinaryevidence shows that the Sun and Water and not CO² have been and will continue to be the main drivers of the past, present and future climates“. This lecture will be held on May 29 at 19:00 at the Namibia Scientific Society, 110 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. For further details contact WaltraudFritzsche from the Scientific Society at Tel 061 225372, nwg@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.

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.

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 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.