Namibia Agriculture News: 3 August 2012

Namibia Agriculture Union

WEEKLY NEWS – 3 August 2012

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: DON’T LIVE YOUR LIFE TO PLEASE OTHER PEOPLE – Oprah Winfrey

In today’s newsletter –

·         Agronomists met

·         FA and other news

Agronomists met

The agronomists held their third management meeting on Wednesday, August 1 and addressed the following with the millers informally –

1.    The need that harvests should be sifted before grading (at the producer’s costs). Namib Mills undertook to consider this request, but that producers have to take note that the premises and logistical arrangements have to be sorted out;

2.    Transport negotiations between Namib Mills and TransNamib and that producers in effect cover these costs. Producers requested that the best price possible should be negotiated. Namib Mills explained the logistic challenges to organise train transport with only few locomotives available;

3.    Producer’s are not in need for formal negotiations and the current negotiation basis has advantages for all parties.

The agronomists discussed the needs for extra storage with officials from the Agronomic Board. This extra storage is mainly to mill larger amounts locally so that less maize has to be transported. A lower price near the milling capacity eventually realises in a higher price for the producer.

Information about feeding needs of the newly established poultry farm was discussed with Mr Gys White and Mr Jaco Labuschagne, the possibility that the agronomists can fullfil these need as well as the semi-organic fertilizer which this organisation can sell locally. Mr White undertook to provide detailed information, with prices, to the agronomists.

Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry hosts Water Investment Conference

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry will host a Water Investment Conference from September 12 – 14, 2012 at the Safari Conference Centre, Windhoek. The aim is to bring together all role players (water users, providers, NGO’s, water source manager, development partners, etc) to discuss matters such as investments in the water sector, exchange information, promote local production of plants, etc. Persons who would like to exhibit products can contact Ms Naumkolo Mwangala or Ms Florence Kamona at Tel 061 2087200/1. General enquiries can be addressed to waterconference2012@mawf.gov.na or the website can be visited at www.nwic.com.na.

FA and other news

Osire / Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on August 7 at 08:30 at Farm Ondekaremba Nord 215 of Fam W Wilckens. Guest speakers are Mr Momberg of Efekto who will talk about preparing the garden for the growing season, Mr Meyer who will talk about scanning of cattle for gestation and Mr Fourie who will talk about RFID ear tag scanning. For further details contact Mrs D Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, wilckens@iway.na.

Summerdown FA is holding a John Deere day and judging of slaughtering oxen on the hoove on August 8. For further details contact Henriette le Grange, Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na. or click on: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/javascript/scribite_editors/xinha/plugins/ExtendedFileManager/images/JD_Dag_Summerdown.pdf

Kalkplato FA is holding a member meeting on August 8 at 14:00 at Witbooisvlei. Guest speaker is Riaan Dames who will talk about rangeland management. Mr Oubaas Steenkamp will give a practical demonstration of mechanic de-bushing after the meeting. For further details contact Morné Mostert, Tel 063 252433, 081 3769156, trio@iway.na.

A game farm farmer’s day will be held on August 8 at 09:00 at the RL Farm, Omaruru. For further details contact Ilona Mentrup,  Tel 081 1273040, rlfarm@iway.na.

Witvlei FA is holding a general meeting on August 8 at 14:00 at the farmer house at Witvlei. Guest speakers are Mr P W Katamelo, LP and Gobabis Regional Representatives and Mr Laubscher of Namibia Hunters Guide. For further details contact Mrs Monica Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.

Klein Nossob FA is hosting its annual Kalahari Farmers day on August 9 & 10. All farmers in the vicinity and interested parties are invited to this day and farmers can exhibit their animals (large stock, small stock, horses, etc). This is not only for registered breeders but for everyody who has a passion for his/her breed. Speakers are Mr Riaan Momberg of Efekto, Mnr P Hugo and Mr W Visser and the motivational speaker for the women is D Visser. On August 9 there will be a Steak braai and dance with the Aranos Kalahari Orkes. Further details and entry forms are available from Jerrie Kotze, Tel 081 3012215, jbkotze@mweb.com.na or Danie Visser, Tel 081 2769152, visserd@mweb.com.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.

Omuramba FA is holding a meeting on August 14 at 14:00 at Kroonster. Guest speakers are Mr Kobus du Plessis of Meatco and Mr Chris Opperman. For further details contact Mrs Christa Engelbrecht, Tel 062 571540, jeng@mweb.com.na.

Helmeringhausen FA is hosting the annual Keetmanshoop RAU winter school on August 15 & 16 at Farm Lovedale. Speakers are Andre du Toit who will talk about trophy monitoring and tending to hunting rifles; Jo Gaugler who will talk about agricultural economy and sustainable production; Old Mutua; Awie Steenkamp who will talk about hoove care of cattle and horses; Tandelta who will talk about alternative telecommunication; Niekie Meyer who will talk about scanning of animals; Dr Hensie Lategan who will talk about small stock diseases; Bernd Rothkegel who will talk about agricultural marketing and Meatco.At the women’s program are the following speakers: Ms Carien Viljoen who will talk about conflict handling; Mrs Inez Miller who will talk about worm farming for compost; Mrs Onell Simon who will talk about mosaic work and Ms Maryke de Vos who will talk about „do it at your own home“. Numerous practical demonstrations will be given during those 2 days. The first day will conclude with a dinner and SWAKARA fashion parade. Costs are N$300 per person for both days and meals are included. NAU members who present their membership card, will get a 20% discount. For further details contact Timm Miller, Tel 081 2079974, miller@mtcmobile.com.na, Andre Coetzee, Tel 081 1287101, andrecoetzee@mtcmobile.com.na, Louisa Campbell, Tel 081 2819074, info@lovedale-namibia.com, or Christian Frank-Schultz, Tel 081 3543619, duwisib@iway.na (accommodation).

Aranos FA is holding a member meeting on August 15. Further information will be given in due course or can be obtained from Joleen Mans, Tel 063 250187, kierie@iway.na.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a member meeting on August 15 at 09:00 at Farm Nomtsas of Mr & Mrs Albert Voigts-von Schütz. Guest speakers are Mr Merwe Fourie who will talk about the use of „Tag Readers“ and Dr Gaugler who will demonstrate a gestation „scanner“ on cows. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, ottojagd@iway.na.

Karasberge FA is holding a meeting on August 23 on 14:00 at the FA hall. Further details from Christine, Tel 081 7759424, elias@iway.na.

Osire/Waterberg FA is holding its „Inter Farmers Association Sports Day – 2012 Farmer Olympics“ on September 1 at 07:00 at the Osire Waterberg farmers hall at Farm Osire Noord. Individual sports which are offered are airgun shooting, bokdrolverspoeg and soccer wall. Entertainment for the children and general entertainment such as a mini show, tasty food and dance is offered. Each team has to consist of 8 members of which at least 2 must be women. Entrance fee per team is N$100 and social teams are welcome to take part. Entrance fee is N$80 for adults, N$40 for children up to 13 years and children under the age of 6 are free of charge. The entrance fee includes dinner and dance. Entrances for the sports day close on August 1,2012 and can be addressed to Piet van Vuuren, Tel 081 2562666, pietvanvuuren@mtcmobile.com.na or Dagmar Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, 081 2807829, wilckens@iway.na.

The annual Stampriet Show will be held from September 5 – 7, 2012. There will be Dorpers, Damaras, van Rooy’s, Swartkop Persies, Goats and Kalahari Reds. The following auctions will also be held: weaner, cattle, bulls, Dorper Topram and Inter-breed ram. To register and for more details contact Izak Meyer at 063-260230 / 081 212 1177 / ijmeyer@iway.na. For bookings of stands please contact Dina Kotze at 063-260169 / 081 1275524 / tobie@mweb.com.na.

The Limousin Breeders Association is hosting a judging course on September 6 & 7 at Farm Ombuerendende of Sigi and Heide Baas. The course is offered by Messrs Willie Grobler and Barend Dorfling and costs N$500 per person. Enquiries can be addressed to Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2924917, franseli@iway.na.

Summerdown FA is hosting a loose goods fund raising auction on September 15. Farmers who would like to enter their goods, must please contact Henriette le Grange at Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.

A Dexter course will be held by Mr Willie Grobler on October 6 at 08:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. For further details contact Carina Jansen van Vuuren, Tel 067 312918, orpheus@mweb.com.na.