Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

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

WEEKLY NEWS – 22 June 2012

Sakkie Coetzee Manager NAU

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY PEOPLE GIVE UP SO FAST IS BECAUSE THEY TEND TO LOOK AT HOW FAR THEY STILL HAVE TO GO INSTEAD OF HOW FAR THEY HAVE GOTTEN

In today’s newsletter –

·         AEA held congress

·         Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Mpumalanga

·         FA and other news

AEA held congress

The Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) held their 25th Congress on June 19, 2012 at the Arebbush Lodge, Windhoek. During the Congress a new management for the AEA was elected and they are Mr Hellmut Förtsch as chairperson, Mr Derek Wright as vice-chairperson, Mrs Christine Stoman for the North, Mr Riaan Laubscher for Central and Mr Jan Wasserfall for the South.

The Congress was held under the theme “Ethics for Progress”.

Dr Libertina Amathila, previous Deputy Prime Minister and currently a farmer in the Nina vicinity, was the opening speaker. Her message, which generally came forward from the other speakers as well, is that mutual respect amongst employers and employees forms the basic for ethical behaviour and good working relationships on farms. The other speakers which included Adv Pieter de Beer (who spoke in the place of Mr Quinton Steel Botes) as well as the president of the NAU, Mr Ryno van der Merwe generally emphasized that ethical behaviour is required from both the employers as well as the employees.

From the employers it is expected to create an environment in which the employees can execute their duties effectively. This includes proper housing, reasonable wages as well as sufficient ration, especially meat and milk if available on the farms. Respect for employees, a model behaviour by employers, training and encouragement for good work by employees could contribute towards increased productivity.

On the other side it is expected from employees to also show respect for their employers, do their work properly, be timeously at the work place and to be honest in all respects. If employers and employees follow these basic ethic codes, it could lead to improved relationships on farms.

Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Mpumalanga

According to a report of the World Organisation of Animal Health four cases of foot-and-mouth disease were reported in Mpumalanga, South Africa. These outbreaks were within the protection zone of South Africa’s FMD control zone which means a zone in which the cattle is vaccinated against FMD. The main cause of the outbreak is the contact of cattle with wild animals.

Meat Board studies

Feedback about the two studies by the Meat Board with the financial assistance of the Finnish Embassy, will be given on June 29 from 08:00 – 13:00 at the Arebbush Lodge, Windhoek. The two studies were “NCA Master Plan” and “Market Diversification Study”. Mr Bertus Kruger will give feedback on the NCA Master Plan and Prof H van Schalkwyk about the Marketing Diversification Study. Please RSVP before June 22 with Magda, Tel 061 275833. For any further enquiries, please contact Messrs Willie Schutz or Goliath Tujendapi, Tel 061 275830.

Clinics in Omaheke region

The Ministry of Health in the Omaheke region has announced that the second round Polio vaccinations will be held from July 10 – 12. All children between the age of 0 – 59 months must be vaccinated. Any enquiries can be addressed to Ms Kaune or Ms Kanguvi at Tel 062 577000, Fax 062 563489.

Small stock course

The following small stock course is offered:

Boer goats: 30 July – information day at NLA, Mariental. 31 July – 1 August – Jnr and Snr course at Mariental.

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

Kaiserstreet FA is holding a meeting on June 25 at 18:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Show grounds. Guest speakers are Mr Johan Engelbrecht who talks about NamLITS, MrFoucheViljoen of Transtech and Mr Christo Viljoen of the FNB Agri Division. For further details contact MsGerda van der Westhuizen, Tel 081 1279021, gerdavdw@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.

Ariamsvlei FA is holding its annual winter festival on June 29 & 30 at Ariamsvlei. The program already starts on Friday, June 28 at 13:00 with a Potjiekos and shooting competition. Artists which will perform at the winter festival are inter alia Fredi Nest, Rooies, NanineHendrikz and DillionDerm. For further details contact WollieOberholzer, Tel 063 280313 or Hansie Maritz, 063 280081.

The Namibia Hunting Gun Shooting Association in cooperation with the Grunau FA is hosting a hunting gun shooting competition on June 30 as from 07:00 at the FA hall, Grunau. Entrance fee is N$200 per person which includes coffee, lunch and a hat. The costs for the evening’s prize giving, dance and spitbraai is N$50 per person and children under the age of 12 years are free of charge. Further information and entry forms can be obtained from Johan Wessels, Tel 081 1284703, djwessels123@gmail.com. Information about accommodation can be obtained from Louis Potgieter, Tel 063 266020 or Dolf de Wet, Tel 063 262061. For more information about this sport, visit the website at www.sahuntingrifle.co.za.

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.

Dordabis FA is holding a meeting on July 5 at 13:00 at the FA hall. Guest speakers are Mr von Ditfurth, a member of Dordabis FA and Mr Dirk Heinricht who will talk about the vulture research project. For further details contact Mrs Christine Romeis, Tel 061 231230, cwromeis@iway.na.

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.

Witvlei FA is holding a big loose goods auction on Wednesday, July 18 at 10:00 at the farmer house at Witvlei. Members of the adjacent Farmers Associations are invited as guest sellers to sell their auction items. The income of these sales are for their own pocket. Goods which are so far offered to be auctioned vary between lorries to cutlery. Refreshments and lunch will be offered for sale. Interested parties can contact Monica at 081 2790301, gmbouwer@iway.na.

The GTO (Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi) RAU is hosting a grazing day on August 14 at 07:30 at the Kalkfontein Lodge. The day will be hosted by Riaan Dames and at 12:40 a farm sightseeing will be held at Farm Gaikos. Costs are N$50 for NAU members and N$100 for non-members. Please register before July 14 with Mr Willem Enslin, Tel 081 2305078.

The annual Stampriet Show will be held from September 5 – 7 at Stampriet and there will be again Dorpers, Goats, Kalahari Reds, Damaras, van Rooy’s and black head Persies on show. There will also be a weaner, cattle, bull, Dorper Top ram and interrace ram auction. Further details will be given nearer to the time or can be obtained from Mr Izak Meyer, Tel 0-63 260230, 081 2121177, ijmeyer@iway.na. To book a stand, please contact Dina Kotze at Tel 9\063 260169, 081 3907044, tobie@mweb.com.na.