Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Namibia Agriculture Union News: 1 March 2013

Namibia Agriculture Union

Disclaimer: Although everything has been done to ensure the accuracy of information, the NAU takes no responsibility for actions or losses that might occur due to the usage of this information.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: SELF-PITY IS OUR WORST ENEMY AND IF WE YIELD TO IT, WE CAN NEVER DO ANYTHING WISE IN THIS WORLD – Helen Keller

In today’s newsletter: 
·  NAU president visits Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Natural         Resources and Public Administration
·       Borders stay closed for the import of animals from South Africa
·       FA and other new

NAU president visits Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Natural Resources and Public Administration
On invitation the president of the NAU, Mr Derek Wright and the Executive Manager, Mr Sakkie Coetzee visited the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Natural Resources and Public Administry, Dr Ben Amathila. This visit originated after the withdrawal of the provisional land valuation rolls 2012 by the Minister of Lands and Resettlement, Minister !Naruseb. The Committee requested more information about the calculation of land valuations for tax purposes taking into consideration the production potential of agricultural land as required by the Regulations.
In his presentation to the Committee, the NAU used various scenario’s of different production systems in different carrying capacity areas under optimal circumstances as example for the calculation of the production potential of land. These scenario’s show a clear increase from south west to north east in the production potential of land (whereby bush encroachment is not taken into consideration) and also confirm that the production potential of land between different carrying capacity areas do not differ more than 25%. Land tax should follow a similar trend.   
The Parliamentarians were very interested in the calculations of income and also expenditures of the different production systems, most probably because a number of the Parliamentarians are also farmers.

Borders stay closed for the import of animals from South Africa
In September 2012 the South African Veterinary Services applied at the OIE (World Organisation of Animal Health) for the re-evaluation of the animal health status of South Africa. The Scientific Commission of OIE, however found in February 2013 that South Africa does not yet comply to the international requirements as set by the OIE for the upgrading of the animal health status of South Africa.

Against this background the border for the import of animals from South Africa are still closed until South Africa complies with the relevant international requirements.

André Snyman leaves Feedmaster
After being Managing Director of Feedmaster for eight years, Mr André Snyman concludes his career in the agricultural sector with the recent completion of two big projects to the value of N$700 million in which Feedmaster played a key role.
According to Snyman it was a privilege to help establishing the Namibian broiler industry as well as the new feed factor for pigs and poultry.
Highlights which Mr Snyman singles out during his Feedmaster career are the establishment of the Namibian broiler project which originally was a Feedmaster initiative; putting into commission the new monogastic feed factory at Okapuka; the ISO-certifying of the Feedmaster plant in Windhoek for ruminants; the ingetration of Feedmaster in Windhoek and Veekos at Upington to a single enterprise under the name Feedmaster; the development of local talents through the vesting of an inter action and mentorship program with prominent feeding experts from South Africa.
Mr Snyman’s farewell message is that he enjoyed liaison with producers and the farming community entirely.

FA and other news
Gamsberg FA is holding a rain dance on March 2 at 18:30 at the FA hall. Entrance is N$120 for members and N$160 for non-members. Please confirm your attendance before February 15 with Stienie van Rooyen,stienie@tgi.na.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on March 2 at 17:00 at the Tsaobis Nature Park. For further details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, Doris.Gladis@elvey.co.za.
Hoërand FA is holding a member meeting on March 5 at 15:00 at the FA hall at Farm Stubbenkamer. Guest speakers are Mr Johan Schroër of Bank Windhoek, Ms Nettie Visser of Channel 7 and Dr Tom Tolmay of the Mariental Veterinary office. A new management will be elected and members are requested to attend the meeting. For further details contact Bartie Burger, Tel 081 3792626, 063 683360, antoiburger@gmail.com of MarykaTruter, Tel 081 2624146, hardegat@iway.na.

The Namibia Environment & Wildlife Society is hosting a lecture by Florian Weise under the theme “Large Carnivores in central Namibia: Conflict, Management & Ecology”. This lecture will be held on March 7 at 19:00 at the Scientific Society, 112 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. For further details contact WaltrautFritzsche of the Scientific Society, Tel 061 225372, nwg@iway.na.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting on March 13 at 10:00 at Farm Kachauchab of Mr Christian Otto. Guest speakers are Mr Leonard Eins of Aqua Services who talks about filter systems for farm use and Mrs von Wietersheim of Solsquare who talks about solar. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, 081 2269518,ottojagd@iway.na.
Westelike Khomas FA is holding a meeting on March 13 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. For further details contact Amanda Greeff, Tel 064 551565,luanda@iway.na.
Steinhausen FA is holding a member meeting on March 13 at 15:00 at the FA hall at farm Steinhausen. Guest speaker is Dr Lichtenberg. For further details contact MaykeRumpf,Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na.
Helmeringhausen FA is holding a member meeting on March 13 at 10:00 at the FA hall. Further details from Timm Miller,Tel 081 2079974, miller@mtcmobile.com.na.
Windhoek FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on March 14 at 08:00 at Farm Vaalgras of Fam Meiburg. After the meeting a farm sightseeing and braai will be held. For further details contact Mrs Middendorf, Tel 061 225727, 081 2403635,gudrunm@iway.na

A lecture about elephant / human relationship assistance is offered on March 14 at 19:30 by Dr Betsy Fox and Rachel Harris. Dr Fox is from PEACE (People and Elephants Amicably Co-Existing) and Mrs Harris is from EHRA (Elephant-Human Relations Aid). EHRA is currently busy in the Kunene region to give information about elephants and how to protect infrastructure against elephants to the local community. The lecture is held at the Scientific Society, 110 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. For further details contact Waltraut Fritzsche, Tel 061 225372, nwg@iway.na.

Osire Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on March 19 at 09:30 at the FA hall. Guest speakers are Mr Bayorat who will talk about solar, H ViljoenMakelaars who will talk about insurance for dreaded illnesses and Mr Kurt Kretzschmar. For further details contact Mrs Dagmar Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, wilckens@iway.na.
Sonop FA is holding a member meeting on March 19 at 14:00 at the FA hall at Farm Frauenhofen. Further details from Lizelle Barnard, Tel 062 568106, 081 2342925, sonopboerevereniging@gmail.com.
Kalkfeld FA is holding a member meeting on March 20 at 08:30 at Farm Ozongombo of Mr & Mrs R Kretzschmar. The day will be concluded with a farm sightseeing and social function. Please RSVP before March 13 to Mrs Elke or Mr Ralf Kretzschmar, Tel 067 290128. For further details contact Mrs S Friedensdorf, 067 290009, 081 3022896.

The American Mustang taming and special training champions, Mark and Miranda Lyon are offering horsemanship and Western horse riding clinics from April 6 – 22. These clinics are offered at the Kooimasis Ranch, Helmeringhausen. For further details contact Wulf, Tel 081 2628545 or Tommy, juniorizko@hotmail.com. Information is also available on the website www.quarterhorsesnamibia.com and on Facebook www.facebook.com/Ranch.Kooimasis. Information / introduction days are also offered on the following days: on Friday afternoon, March 29 at the Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp, Keetmanshoop. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Visser, Tel 063 683421. On Saturday afternoon, March 30 at Farm Kameelboom, Stampriet. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Garbers, Tel 063 272394. On Monday, April 1 at Farm Hochfels, Windhoek. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Kiekebusch, Tel 061 232625.

The Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on April 12 & 13 at the school grounds of the Elnatan School, Stampriet. Artists who will entertain at the competition are the Sarel du ToitBoereorkes and Thys the Bosveldklong. Registration closes on March 12 and up to now 10 FA’s have entered already. A further 10 FA’s can still enter. The FA winning team wins an Isuzu Bakkie and petrol for one year for this Bakkie. Further details will be given in due course and can be obtained from Dina Kotze, ruzelle@iway.na.

The Young Farmer farmers day will be held on May 15 & 16 at Farm Nabome, Aranos of Hannes and JomarieVisagie. Further details will be given in due course and can be obtained from HannesVisagie, Tel 081 1249902 or 063 275342, jwv@mweb.com.na.

WEEKLY
Exchange Rate NAD (23 February to 01 March 2013)
Februarie
EURO
USD
POUND
PULA
Saturday
23
11.699
8.869
13.449
1.102
Sunday
24
11.699
8.869
13.450
1.102
Monday
25
11.637
8.836
13.354
1.102
Tuesday
26
11.552
8.851
13.386
1.102
Wednesday
27
11.598
8.851
13.393
1.098
Thursday
28
11.737
8.973
13.628
1.112
Friday (March)
1
11.796
9.019
13.690
1.116
Saturday to Thursday:  17:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday:  06:18 UTC

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