Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News: 8 March 2013

Namibia Agriculture Union: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/

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: REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY CONSTANTLY AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE THANKS – The Desert Fathers

In today’s newsletter:

·         Livestock Producers Forum (LPF) Press Release

·         Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry reacts on LPF visit

·         FA and other news

      Weekly Exchange Rate: 2-8 March 2013

The Livestock Producers Forum (LPF), constituted by the three agricultural unions ie. Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU) and the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), requested an urgent meeting with the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr. J. Mutorwa.  This request was promptly granted to the leadership of the Livestock Producers Forum on 7 March 2013.  At the meeting, the LPF expressed their sincere gratitude to the Minister for granting an audience.  A comprehensively documented proposal on the imminent drought situation was submitted and discussed in detail with the Minister.  The Minister listened empathetically and attentively, and expressed his appreciation for the LPF submission.  The meeting was conducted in a positive spirit, factual information was exchanged and all representatives were given an opportunity to express their views. 

The Honourable Minister confirmed reports on the prevailing drought situation.  He further referred to the opening statement of Namibia’s Head of State and Government at the first Cabinet meeting of this year, where the President already gave directives to the various Offices, Ministries and Agencies of the Namibian State to prepare for an imminent drought.  He assured the LPF delegation that issues which are within his mandate could be attended to with immediate effect.  After having carefully studied the LPF’s proposal, the Minister committed to release a public statement in response to the LPF’s specific request pertaining to:

a)    emergency marketing of livestock;

b)    opening of all marketing channels for the selling of non-slaughter ready animals;

c)    creation of a window period wherein producers can get rid of their livestock as soon as possible and at reasonable prices in order to relief pressure on our rangelands;

The Minister stated that further in-house consultation will take place within MAWF and committed his Ministry’s support to issues, which are not within his mandate, up to higher levels for decision making purposes. 

The Minister emphasized that during an emergency period, the industry needs solidarity.  The LPF appeals to their producers for understanding and patience while Government considers the implementation of any possible support measures.

The LPF once again expresses its sincere appreciation for the positive reception by the Honourable Minister, Mr J Mutorwa.

Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry reacts on LPF visit

In reaction of the visit of the LPF, the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Minister John Mutorwa indicated that all marketing channels will be opened for farmers. Within the next week the Ministry of Agriculture will announce precisely how farmers can use these emergency measures to market as many not-market-ready animals in order to release the pressure on the limited grazing. In a statement he appeals to Namibian livestock producers to sell their animals whilst their condition is still reasonable.

He also indicated that the limit on the amount of animals which may be exported to especially the northern neighbouring states will soon be lifted.

Producers will immediately be informed as soon as the Minister has given more information.

FA and other news

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.

WestelikeKhomas 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.

The 2013 Dare to Care Disaster Fund golf day will be held on Friday, May 24 at the Omeya golf course outside Windhoek. During the past 5 years the Dare to Care Disaster Fund has paid ± N$120 000 to victims of veld fires, floods, farm attacks, etc. The costs for the golf day per team of 4 players are N$3 000 and if they also take a golf cart it will be N$3 500 per team. We also appeal to farmers to donate prizes for the golf day. For further details and entry forms contact Erika, Tel 061 237838, evg@agrinamibia.com.na

The following courses are offered:

INDIGENIOUS GOATS:

27 & 28 March 2013: a course at John Pandeni, Grootfontein. Costs N$150,00. 9 May 2013: an information day at Namboer, Windhoek from 11:00 – 13:00.

BOER GOATS:

From 19 – 21 June 2013 an information day and Jnr course at Tsumis Agricultural College. 27 June 2013 a breeders’ day at Namboer Windhoek from 09:00 – 13:00. From 23 – 25 July 2013 an information day, jnr & snr course at NLA, Mariental.

VAN ROOY SHEEP:

From 23 – 24 July 2013 a jnr & snr course at Namboer, Windhoek. Costs N$300.

DAMARA SHEEP:

From 20 – 21 June 2013 a jnr & snr course at Namboer, Windhoek. Costs N$450 (meals included).

A Brangus Promotion Day will be held on May 25 at 08:30 at the Blaauwberg auction pens at Farm Namatubis. Speakers are inter alia Dr Martin Ferreira from Virbac, Dr Paul Lubout and Mr Gero Bajorat from DIS Engineering. During the ladies’ program Antoinette de Chavonnes Vrugt will hold a food demonstration. The day is concluded with a steak braai and dance. For further details contact Magdel Pretorius, Tel 067 313061, magdelp@iway.na.

WEEKLY
Exchange Rate NAD (02-08 March 2013)
	March	EURO	USD	POUND	PULA
Saturday	2	11.789	9.054	13.615	1.105
Sunday	3	11.778	9.045	13.603	1.103
Monday	4	11.827	9.101	13.728	1.114
Tuesday	5	11.796	9.059	13.679	1.112
Wednesday	6	11.814	9.094	13.674	1.112
Thursday	7	11.976	9.146	13.747	1.115
Friday (March)	8	11.931	9.113	13.694	1.117
Saturday to Thursday:  17:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday:  09:08 UTC