Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

NAU Website: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/

WEEKLY NEWS – 8 June 2012

Sakkie Coetzee: Manager NAU

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: FAILURE IS NOT FALLING DOWN BUT REFUSING TO GET UP - Chinese Proverb

In today’s newsletter –

·         Governor Swartbooi addresses EC

·         SACAU held Annual General Meeting

·         FA and other news

Governor Swartbooi addresses EC

Governor BernadusSwartbooi from the Karas region this week addressed the Executive Council of the Namibia Agricultural Union on invitation of the president of the NAU, Mr Ryno van der Merwe.

Mr Swartbooi used the opportunity to offer his cooperation to execute the 2011 Congress discussion point about “Economic growth and employment creation”. According to Mr Swartbooi the Governors and Regional Councils are closely involved with the development of rural areas in their various regions and this is a good opportunity for cooperation with the Namibia Agricultural Union which is also mainly active in these areas. Mr Swartbooi also offered to put this point onto the Agenda of the Governor’s Forum and will try and invite the NAU to a meeting of the Forum in order to expand the cooperation to other regions.

Veld fire season on hands

The first veld fires already started and farmers suffered damages. Members are reminded to take precautions for the prevention, fighting and control of veld fires. This inter alia includes the scrapping of border lines for prevention and access should veld fires occur as well as the availability of equipment and especially ensuring that dams are always full so that the water can be used in cases of veld fires.

Farmers are also reminded that the 2011 NAU Congress recommended that farmers should take out insurance according to the various available options from the different insurance companies.

SACAU (Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions) held Annual General Meeting

Preceding the Annual General Meeting of SACAU which was held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, a policy conference was held about the introduction of farmers into the agricultural value chain in Southern Africa. This theme was especially important for the Namibia Agricultural Union, who was represented at the conference by the president and Executive Manager as the NAU currently considers tenders for exactly the same purpose.

Speakers at the conference were inter alia Prof André Louw of the University of Pretoria, Dr John Purchess of the Agricultural Chamber in SA as well as persons of the private sector who are closely involved in agricultural commodities in SA. From the presentations it was clear that this is a very context process due to the numerous activities taking place by each of the role players in the value chain. To connect into an agricultural value chain, an in-depth knowledge is necessary of each of these activities which are in many cases very complex and complicated.

Even though the producers are the basis of any value chain, the retailers in the value chain have the power due to their knowledge of the market and consumer choices. Inevitably the value chain is dominated by the consumers.

FA and other news

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.

Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on June 12 at 13:30 at Farm Ondekaremba Nord of Fam W Wilckens. Guest speakers are Mr I Galloway who will talk about charcoal and Mr C du Plessis who will talk about lick supplements for cattle in the winter and chicken feed. For further details contact Mrs Dagmar Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, wilckens@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.

Tsumeb FA is holding a reservist information meeting together with Mr Willem Enslin on June 13 at 16:00 at Farm Hiebist Ost of Mr Dave Keyser. All interested parties are welcome. This meeting will be held after the slaughtering oxen competition (mornings) and member meeting (13:00). The day will be concluded with a Steak Braai. For further details contact Mr Eckart Basson, Tel 067 220538, 081 4197700, bassone@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.

Windhoek FA is holding a farmers day on June 14 at 08:00 at the DTS Sport Club, Olympia, Windhoek. Speakers are inter alia Mr Kellerman of the Meat Board, Dr Kaehler and Forklift & Allied who will talk about de-bushing machines and practices. For further details contact Mrs G Middendorf, Tel 081 2403635, gudrunm@iway.na.

Aroab FA is holding is Annual General Meeting on June 15 and thereafter a Meatco Braai competition conclusion will be held. For further details contact Brenda Kotze, Tel 063 281208, kalahari@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.

Witvlei FA is holding a meeting on June 20 at 14:00 at the farmer house at Witvlei. Guest speaker is MrKamaauuNandova of AgriBank. For further details contact Mrs Monica Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.

The Annual General Meeting of Meatcowill be held on June 22 at 09:00 at the Wanderers Sports Club, Pionierspark, Windhoek. Further information from ClorethaGariseb, Tel 061 3216400.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting on June 27 at 09:00 at Farm Urusis of Mr&Mrs Ernst Erni. Guest speakers are Mrs Yvonne buys who will talk about “Land resettlement plan for the Hardap region” and Mr Nikolai Heger of TanDelta who will talk about cellphone communication. MrBaader of MR-Repairs will give a demonstration of a power-effective coldroom. Members must please register with Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, 081 2269518, ottojagd@iway.na.

SWAKARA is celebrating its 105^th anniversary. These festivities will be held on June 28 at 18:30 at Jaguar Land Rover, Novel Motor Company, 444 Independence Ave, Windhoek. Guest of Honour is the President of Namibia, His Excellency, President Pohamba. Costs for the fashion parade and cocktails are N$250 per person and costs for the fashion parade and dinner is N$500 per person. Persons who wear “vintage” SWAKARA garments stand a chance to win prizes. For further details contact Jenny, Tel 061 237750.

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.

Aroab FA is hosting a horse endurance ride on July 5 and a farmer sports day on July 6. Further details from Ernst Blaauw, Tel 063 280639.

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.