Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News: 24 May 2013

Namibia Agriculture Union: NAU

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: AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH MORE THAN A TON OF THEORY – Friedrich Engels

In today’s newsletter:
·         Quality of pig carcasses scrutinised
·         Namibia Customs and Business Forum
·         SADC Council of Non-Governmental Organisations’ Conference on Regional Economic Integration
·         FA and other news

Quality of pig carcasses scrutinised
The Pig Producers Association, under leadership of the chairperson, Mr Flip de Villiers, held their member meeting on Thursday, May 23, 2013. Approximately 30 people attended the meeting with discussions which were mainly about the functioning of the Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme. In October 2012 the Meat Board has implemented this scheme which is based on quantitative limitations and functions with importers which may import 3kg meat for every 1kg meat which is purchased locally. In times of over-production, importers are obliged to only import 2kg meat for every 1kg meat purchased locally. The quota which importers are building up is only valid for two month. The Meat Board encourages pig producers to take part in this scheme which promotes a minimum price per kg in the pig industry (currently N$25/kg). This scheme was implemented with the aim to promote the local pig industry. A big challenge in the pig industry still is the lack of an abattoir in the Windhoek district as well as in Walvis Bay.
The day was concluded with three information talks from the Meat Board (Ms Maria Immanuel) about the functioning of the Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme, Mr Fanie du Plessis from Hartlief who informed producers about factors at the abattoir which influence the quality of carcasses from when a pig is taken in up to when it is sold to the consumer. Feedmaster, the main sponsor of the member meeting, got Dr Hannes Viljoen, a pig feed expert from South Africa to inform the meeting about guidelines which influence the carcass quality before slaughtering.
Namibia Customs and Business Forum
On 22 May 2013 the Ministry of Finance launched the Namibia Customs and Business Forum (NCBF).  Wallie Roux represented the NAU at the launch.

The NBCF is a dialogue forum of public and private sector representatives to improve customs efficiency and compliance by the trading community.  The Forum was established as a partnership in order for Customs to better understand the concerns of business and business to better understand the requirements of Customs.  The NCBF will also deliberate on new policies, regulations and measures to be introduced, assess its impact on the trading chain and recommend the most optimal solutions.
This initiative is part of the SADC regional customs harmonisation and modernisation programme.
SADC Council of Non-Governmental Organisations’ Conference on Regional Economic Integration:  20 - 22 May 2013
The SADC Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (CNGO) held a Conference on Regional Economic Integration at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek from 20 to 22 May 2013.  The Conference covered a wide range of topics that included a Perspective on the SADC CNGO, the Principles of the SADC regional integration agenda, the State of SADC regional economic integration, Regional integration as a key to south-south cooperation, Finance and investment in SADC, the role of the Informal Economy in regional integration and economic development and the State of infrastructure and regional economic integration in SADC.
Wallie Roux from the NAU delivered a paper on the impact of EPAs on the SADC regional economic integration and the involvement of civil society in the process.
Namibia signs agreement with Angola about animal health
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture of Angola in order to promote the animal health status with regard to cross-border movement of animals and to prevent the spreading of illnesses.
The agreement concentrates on the eradication of mainly foot-and-mouth disease, lung sickness, development of animal health, human and technological resources, marketing of livestock and livestock products and food security. Reports for the OIE for the declaration of freedom from foot-and-mouth disease and lung sickness will also inter alia be prepared. The Minister of Agriculture from Angola, Mr Alfonso Pedro Cango mentioned that this agreement creates a platform for livestock farmers in those areas to raise their animals to improve their livelihood.
AEA Congress
The 26th annual congress of the Agricultural Employers Association (AEA) will be held on June 18 at 07:30 at the Arebbush Travel Lodge, Windhoek. The theme is “Learn from one another” and the congress will be addressed by various expert speakers. For more information and registration forms please contact Danie van Vuuren of the AEA at Tel 061 237838, lwv-aea@agrinamibia.com.na.
FA and other news
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 or click on the following links:

Gamsberg FA is hosting a farmer’s day on May 25 at 14:00 at Farm Portsmut. A game drive, cattle inspection, solar demonstration, late night auction, dance in the barn, spit braai, bike riding for children, N$10 cash bar and much more is offered. Entrance fee is a bottle of consumables per couple. Bring warm clothing and camping chairs. For more information and registering before May 20 contact Stienie, Tel 081 1288400, stienie@tgi.na.

Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on May 28 at 14:00 at the Osire FA hall. Guest speakers are Mr Roelf Thompson who talks about lick supplements during drought, Mr Harry Schneider-Waterberg who talks about tourism and nature conservation and Mr Eugen Gehr who talks about meat processing. The day is concluded with a bring and braai. For further details contact Anka Visher, Tel 067 306208, hpvisher@iway.na.

Dorsland FA is holding a general member meeting on May 28 at 14:00 at Saambou. Guest speaker is Mr Rian Esterhuizen who talks about financial planning in your life. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 062 571527, franseli@iway.na.

Hartebeestloop in ccoperation with Agra is hosting a farmer’s day on May 30 at 09:00 at Farm Hartebeestloop of Joggie Briedenhann. Speakers are Prof Willie Esterhuyse, Dr Hannes Dreyer, Dr Kenneth Botha, Barry Symons, Japie Bestebreurtjie, Kiep le Pen and Joggie Briedenhann. For further details contact Joggie, Tel 081 2316169, Nico 081 1241168, Japie 081 2360880 or Kiep 081 1240648.

Blumfelde FA is holding a wine auction on May 31 at 18:30 for 19:00 at the FA hall. Costs are N$100 per person and please register before the time. For further enquiries and to register contact Magret Binneman, Tel 081 4440334 or Larisa van Vuuren, Tel 081 2059313.

The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia is holding an Arabian night evening on June 1 at 16:00 at the Gymkhana Club, Windhoek. On the program is a well known singer, fire artists, belly dancers and the day is concluded with a Spitbraai. For further details contact Susan de Meyer, Tel 081 1289003, sdemeyer@mweb.com.na or Trina Oppermann, Tel 0027 835670936, trina@simplydesign.co.za or visit the websites www.arabianevents.co.za, www.namibarab.com. At 10:00 in the morning an Arab horse auction is held at the Agra /  Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek showgrounds.
A Cattle Information day will be held on June 5 at 09:00 at farm Neu Otjisauona of Diethelm and Katja Metzger. Guest speakers are Prof. Coetzer, Mr Derek Wright, the president of the NAU, Dr Michael Bradfield and Mr Peter Massmann. A discussion on the Beef marketing situation in Namibia will conclude the theoretical part of the day. Cattle and some interesting things will be viewed as from 15h00. The day will be concluded with a braai. For further details and to register contact Diethelm or Katja Metzger, Tel 062 682115 or Hennie Kruger, Tel 081 2964280.

The Limousin Breeders Association is offering a two-day judging course on 6 & & June at Farm Ombuerendende of Sigi and Heide Baas. Registration fee is N$750 per person. Please register before May 24 with Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2924917, franseli@iway.na.
Westelike Khomas FA is holding a farmers day on June 12 at 08:00 at Farm Aub (Auction pens). Guest speakers are Dr A Olivier, Mr Mike Jacobs, Adv Rukoro from Meatco and Mr Jaco Laubschagne from Feedmaster. The day is concluded with a Steak braai. For further details contact Wickus Esterhuizen, Tel 062 572315, le-wardi@iway.na.
Hoërand FA is holding a member meeting and cattle information day on June 13 at 09:00 at Farm Schwarzrand Nord, No 47 in the Maltahöhe district of Hein and Wanda Knipe. Guest speaker is Mr Barend Dorfling and refreshments are offered for sale at N$50. The day will be concluded with a braai. For further details contact Bartie Burger, Tel 063 683350, 081 3792626, antoiburger@gmail.com.
Grootfontein/Tsumeb/Otavi (GTO) RAU is hosting a fire fighting day on June 15 at 07:30 at the Dornhügel Guest Farm, 40km on the Rundu Berg Aukas road. Matters such as legal accountability, fire belts and preventative fires and measures how to prevent fires will be discussed and at 13:00 a sightseeing of the burned parts on Dornhügel will be visited. All FA chairpersons as well as farm managers are welcome to attend as fire guidelines will be drafted during the meeting. Costs are N$80 per person and only persons who registered can take part. Please register before May 20 with Willem Enslin, Tel 081 2305078.

SWAKARA is offering a SWAKARA farmers tour to the next pelts auction in Copenhagen in September 2013. The departure date is September 3 and the auction is held on September 8. Return back to Namibia is on September 9. Interested parties must please register before June 15 and a reservation fee of N$5 000 is payable. The total costs for the tour will be approximately N$20 000 which does not include pocket money. For further details and to register contact Jenny Korner, Tel 061 237750, Fax 061 231990, jennyk@agra.com.na

The Afrikaner Bees breeders are offering a grading course on June 25 & 26. On June 25 they course will be held at Farm Kalidona of Bernd and Nadine Gaerdes near Otjisondu and on June 26 at Farm Okambekere of Frans Nel in the Summerdown vicinity. Costs are N$500 per person and please register before June 18 with Florence, Tel 0608004708, flhamman@mweb.com.na or Nadine, Tel 062 518099, kalidona@mailnam.net.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a member meeting on June 26 at 09:00 at Farm Büllspoort from Mr & Mrs Ernst Sauber. Guest speakers are the president of the NAU, Mr Derek Wright as well as a person from the N/aanku sê Foundation. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, ottojagd@iway.na.

On June 28 & 29 a “visiting festival” (kuierfees) is held at Grootfontein at the show grounds. On Saturday an “Idols” competition, fashion show, clay pigeon shooting, school rugby, helicopter flights, children entertainment, etc will be held. Saturday evening “4Werke” (Ray Dilan, Nicholas Louw, Elizma Theron and Monique) will perform. Stands are free of charge. For further details visit the website www.kuierfees.com.

The Braunvieh Cattle Breeders Association is offering a trainings- and judging course from July 2 at 14:00 until July 4 at 12:00 at Farm Keizen, ± 20km south of Summerdown and ± 36km north of Steinhausen. The course is offered by Barend Dorfling and Willie Grobler and limited accommodation is available. The costs are ± N$750 per person and interested parties must register before May 31 at Henriette le Grange, Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.

A Simmentaler judging course will be held from July 16 – 18 in the Gobabis vicinity. Interested parties can contact Mr H Kruger, simnamibia@gmail.com.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on July 20 at 16:00 at Farm Habis Noord of Dr Herbert Schneider. Guest speakers are Mr Gladis who will talk about farm safety and a person from Radio Electronics who will talk about farm radios. For further details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, doris.gladis@elvey.zo.ca.
The Braunvieh Cattle Breeders Association is offering a trainings- and judging course from July 2 at 14:00 until July 4 at 12:00 at Farm Keizen, ± 20km south of Summerdown and ± 36km north of Steinhausen. The course is offered by Barend Dorfling and Willie Grobler and limited accommodation is available. The costs are ± N$750 per person and interested parties must register before May 31 at Henriette le Grange, Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.

A Simmentaler judging course will be held from July 16 – 18 in the Gobabis vicinity. Interested parties can contact Mr H Kruger, simnamibia@gmail.com.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on July 20 at 16:00 at Farm Habis Noord of Dr Herbert Schneider. Guest speakers are Mr Gladis who will talk about farm safety and a person from Radio Electronics who will talk about farm radios. For further details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, doris.gladis@elvey.zo.ca.
Kaiserstreet FA is hosting its annual Old Mutual / Kaiserstreet FA bowling day on September 6 at 11:00 at the Eros Bowling Club. Costs for a team of 4 players are N$600 which includes a Steak braai which is held after prize giving. Guests are welcome and have to pay N$150 entrance fee. Please register before June 28 with Lukas Kotze, Lkotze@fnbnamibia.com.na or Gerda van der Westhuizen, kaiserstraatfarmersassociation@gmail.com.

WEEKLY
Exchange Rate NAD (18-24 May 2013)
May
EURO
USD
POUND
PULA
Saturday
18
12.074
9.406
14.267
1.123
Sunday
19
12.074
9.406
14.271
1.123
Monday
20
12.199
9.483
14.435
1.130
Tuesday
21
12.304
9.530
14.456
1.128
Wednesday
22
12.270
9.516
14.331
1.131
Thursday
23
12.355
9.537
14.429
1.133
Friday
24
12.327
9.528
14.390
1.132
Saturday to Thursday:  16:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday:  07:26 UTC



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