Namibia Agriculture Union

WEEKLY NEWS – 18 May 2012

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: YOU’VE GOT TO GET UP EVERY MORNING WITH DETERMINATION IF YOU’RE GOING TO BED WITH SATISFACTION – George Lorimer

Sakkie Coetzee: Manager NAU

In today’s newsletter –

·         Broiler project on time

·         FA and other news

Broiler project on time

The first broilers of Namibia Poultry Industries (NPI) are available in the Namibian market. According to MrGys White, the Managing Director and board member of the Namib Mills Group, who was a speaker at the Poultry Producers Association member meeting, about 47 000 broilers are slaughtered daily at the NPI plant near Windhoek. The aim is to get 250 000 local produced broilers weekly into the Namibian market.

This plant of approximately N$540 million employs 500 people and includes all aspects from laying of eggs, hatching, raising and slaughtering. A very high biosecurity is handled to ensure the prevention of any sicknesses. The plant is also environmental friendly.

The broiler industry qualifies for infant industry protection as from June 1, 2012 which has been granted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry for a period of eight years. NPI plans to implement various initiatives during these eight years which shall increase the competitiveness of the broiler industry in Namibia.

SWAKARA news

New address: The Agra Pelts Centre and offices of the Karakul Board are moving and as from June 1, 2012 the address will be: Cobalt Str 35, Prosperitas. Telephone number, fax and e-mail address remain the same.

Lamb stunners: The board requests all producers to register their old stunners or to buy new ones. For the September 2013 auction the board made it compulsory that all producers who deliver their pelts as from January 2013 for the September 2013 auction must be in possession of a registered stunner.

Copenhagen tour: Following the success of the 2007 producers’ tour to Copenhagen, it has been decided to again offer a tour for producers. The costs of such a tour for five days will be approximately N$20 000 and interested parties can put their name down for the April 2013 auction at the Karakul Board office, Tel 061 237750, swakara@agra.com.na. 

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, slaughtering and splinting of pelts. On May (from 08:00 – 16:00): SWAKARA in the market, 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, estates and testaments, animal health, lectures and costs of BioBoost Solutions and a sightseeing of the greenhouse of Bioboost Solutions. There will also be a woman and workers program. 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.

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.

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.

Hoërand FA is holding a member meeting on May 23, 2012 at 14:00 at the FA hall at Farm Stubbenkamer, Maltahöhe district. Mr Gerald John of Boomlusern is the guest speaker. The day will be concluded with a bring and braai and further details can be obtained from Bartie Burger, Tel 063 683360, 081 3792626 or MarykaTruter, Tel 081 2624146.

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.

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.

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.

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.