Namibia Agriculture Union: Weekly News 17 January 2014

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: EXPERIENCE TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO; CONFIDENCE ALLOWS YOU TO DO IT – Stan Smith

In today’s newsletter:

 ·         Proposed veterinary requirement for export to SA still on ice

·         FA and other news

Proposed veterinary requirement for export to SA still on ice

The South African Veterinary department surprised the Namibian cattle- and sheep export market with a series of requirements for the export to South Africa. These requirements inter alia include individual identification also of sheep, proof of vaccinations against anthrax at least 14 days, but not longer than 12 month ahead, proof of treatment of internal and external parasites, proof of origin of herds free of any sicknesses, etc.

The chairperson of the LPO, Mr Mecki Schneider immediately raised objections at the Directorate of Veterinary Services. These objections were communicated to the RSA Veterinary and the implementation thereof has been put on ice for the time being. The acting Director of the Directorate Veterinary Services, Dr Shoopala in cooperation with the Meat Board and the Animal Health Consultative Forum will meet on January 22, 2014 again in order to discuss the matter further.

In the meantime exports are done as usual.

Voters’ registration

The registration process for the general elections later this year has started and will last until March 2, 2014.

All Namibians entitled to vote must again register as the term of the previous registration has expired.

Registration points are erected on various points in each Constituency and will also be done on many farms in the rural Constituencies. For registration as voter the following documents are needed:

1.    Proof of identification, age and Namibian citizenship by –

·         new Namibian ID

·         old Namibian ID

·         valid Namibian passport

or

a combination of -   

·         citizenship certificate and old Namibian ID (for persons which are born outside Namibia)

·         Namibian birth certificate and new Namibian drivers license

·         Namibian birth certificate and support of two Namibian citizens

Persons, who would like to register for the election of Local Authorities, must bring proof of residence for the past 12 months (telephone accounts, NamPower/Red accounts or proof of payment of land tax).

Members are encouraged to assist the Election Commission with the registration process as far as possible (especially owners of farms where there are registration points) and also assist their employees with the registration process.

Practical training and internship needed

Various students have approached the NAU and requested us to publish their need for practical training and/or internship in the newsletter. Here are the requests:

Mr Vernon Christians, a Veterinary student at the University of Pretoria is looking for practical training opportunities on cattle-, sheep-, goat- and pig farms for a week each. Members who could accommodate Mr Christians can contact him at Tel 081 1278090, 081 8502408, vermillion844@gmail.com.

Mr Remegius Shiwayu, a bachelor’s degree in Economics student at the Polytechnic of Namibia is looking for a 3 months internship on a commercial farm in the Khomas region. Farmers who would be willing to accommodate Mr Shiwayu, can contact him at Tel 081 4686323 or remegius12@gmail.com.

Mr Tirronen Shinyemba a fourth year student at University of Namibia
majoring in food science is looking for an internship at a dairy
farm in the Khomas region. Mr Shinyemba can be contacted at Tel 081 3292928 or tirronenshinyemba@gmail.com.

2013 Young Farmer farmers’ day

The farmers’ day of the 2013 Young Farmer of the Year will be held on March 12 at Farm Silversand, 90km east of Windhoek of Mr & Mrs Marco and Regine Seefeldt. The program starts at 08:00 and at 09:00 a farm sightseeing will be held. A woman program and mini show will also be held and registration is N$170 for adults and N$70 for children from 6 – 16 years whereby the meals are all included. Interested parties should register before February 28 with Sylvia Henke, Tel 081 2317823, sylviaheld@hotmail.com, Carola Raad, Tel 081 3680962 or Marco or Regine Seefeldt, Tel 081 2965802, seefeld@iway.na. Information can also be obtained from the following website: www.silversandhunting.com.

FA and other news

Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on January 21 at 14:30 at the Osire FA hall. The day will be concluded with a bring and braai and further information can be obtained from Anka Visher, Tel 067 306208, hpvisher@iway.na.

Dordabis FA is holding a meeting on February 6 at 14:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Sakkie Coetzee from the NAU. Please register before January 29 with Mrs Christine Romeis, Tel 061 231230, cwromeis@iway.na.

Blumfelde FA is holding a member meeting on February 12 at 16:00 at the FA hall. Further details from Magret Binneman, Tel 062 581099, binneman@iway.na.

The bi-annual NSBA meat production school will be held on March 19 & 20 at the Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek. The program starts on March 19 at 08:00 with registration and speakers are inter alia Prof Johann Willemse, Dr Jasper Coetzee, Dr Dietmar Holm, Adri Nell & Gerrie Scholz, Norbert Dörgeloh, Sakkie Coetzee, Dr Munro Marx, Prof Frikkie Neser, Prof Louw Hoffmann, Dr Niel van Zyl, Dr Michael Bradfield, Leon Lubbe and Pieter Hugo. On March 20 from 14:00 – 17:00 a program for the women will be offered. Registration closes on February 15 and the costs are for the full program N$1 100, whereby all materials, lunches, coffees and dinners are included. Registration for 1 day only is N$550 and for the woman’s program N$250 which includes cake and tea. For further details contact Jacques Els, 081 1281032, jacque@iway.na or Dawid Krause, Tel 081 1249415.

WEEKLY
Exchange Rate NAD (11-17 January 2014)
	January	EURO	USD	POUND	PULA
Saturday	11	14.550	10.645	17.534	1.195
Sunday	12	14.550	10.645	17.534	1.195
Monday	13	14.729	10.794	17.680	1.223
Tuesday	14	14.801	10.820	17.798	1.214
Wednesday	15	14.776	10.863	17.784	1.216
Thursday	16	14.869	10.934	17.862	1.220
Friday	17	14.780	10.868	17.735	1.213
Saturday to Thursday:  16:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday:  08:53 UTC