Namibia Agriculture Union News: 25 April 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: BELIEVE YOU CAN AND YOU’RE HALFWAY THERE – Theodore Roosevelt

In today’s newsletter:

·         Export to South Africa at critical point

·         Produce commercial, says Minister of Agriculture

·         FA and other news

Export to South Africa at critical point

The past 2 weeks three urgent meetings of the meat industry were held, one of which under the chairmanship of the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr John Mutorwa in order to discuss the strict measures which were put in place by South Africa for the import of animals to the RSA.

The latest development is that an urgent request by the industry is made to the Department of Veterinary Services in South Africa to extend the date of May 1, 2014 for the implementation of these requirements in order to hold further talks. At the same time it was decided that a high level delegation of Namibia’s meat industry under the leadership of the Directorate of Veterinary Services visit South Africa to discuss the seriousness of this matter with the meat industry in South Africa. At this stage the Meat Board attempts to get an urgent appointment with the South African meat industry for such a meeting. South Africa however has 2 public holidays next week which hampers such a meeting.

The NAU/LPO is represented by some of their regional representatives, agents and livestock exporters and managers in order to give the necessary inputs.

In spite of an agreement reached by the Department of Veterinary Services in South Africa and the Directorate of Veterinary Services of Namibia on March 7, 2014, the Department of Veterinary Services in South Africa reverted to their original requirements which shook the meat industry in January 2014.

The Minister of Agriculture also brought the seriousness of the matter under the attention of the Minister of Trade & Industry, Mr Calle Schlettwein as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Produce commercial, says Minister of Agriculture

At the official opening of the NNFU Congress on Thursday, April 24, 2014, the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr John Mutorwa encouraged farmers to move away from the idea to only produce for domestic use, but also to produce surpluses. The NNFU Congress is held under the theme “Small scale farmers – the key to food production”. Minister Mutorwa suggested that the theme should rather be “Farmers – the key to food production” and against this background he made the above remark.

The Minister also quoted from a local daily which said that: “a farmer (is) since long not a small scale farmer who produces for the survival of his family. The post modern farmer is a scientist who uses high technology to produce much more with fewer resources” (the Republikein 9 April 2014).

The Minister also defended Government’s involvement with the creation of infrastructure in especially the northern communal areas. He said that the building fresh produce hubs and abattoirs is giving access to farmers where they can sell their products. He especially referred to slaughtering of cattle under trees which is seen as “traditional”, but rather is done in the absence of other slaughtering facilities.

The Minister also appealed to the different agricultural unions to cooperate in order to serve the agricultural sector better.

Dairy producers held management meeting

During a management meeting of the Dairy Producers Association (DPA) on Wednesday, April 23, delegates from Namibia Dairy and the management discussed the court case between the Ministry of Trade & Industry and Parmelat, Clover and Matador.

According to Judge Dave Smuts, he will give his verdict before the end of April. The verdict of this court case, in which the DPA was called second respondent, will influence the security and stability of the dairy industry in Namibia.

The member meeting and the theme thereof were also discussed and dairy producers must take note that the member meeting will be held on July 20 at Xain Quas.

FA and other news

Keinab FA is hosting a shooting day on April 26 at 07:00 at the FA hall. There are 5 categories which can be entered at Competition 1, namely hunting rifle, hand weapon, .22 rifle, airgun and kettie and Competition 2 is clay pigeon shooting. Registration fees for Competition 1 are N$200 and enquiries can be addressed to F Jordaan, Tel 063 683487, frikjordaan@yahoo.com, J van Niekerk, Tel 063 683485, jacovn@afol.com.na of K Visser, Tel 063 683491, sdoorn@afol.com.na.

The Outjo Game Festival and game auction will be held on May 2 & 3 at the Sophienhof Lodge. On May 2 the program starts at 08:00 and at 19:00 Ray Dylan performs and at 21:00 die Broers. On May 3 the program starts at 07:00 with a target shooting competition and prizes worth N$7 000 can be won. At 10:00 a rodeo will be held and at 19:00 Theuns Jordaan will perform and at 21:00 again die Broers. Registration for each day will be N$100 per adults and N$50 for children. A weekend ticket, thus for both days, will be N$180 for adults and N$80 for children. For further details contact Fanie Heimstädt, Tel 081 2053909 or Albie van Niekerk, Tel 081 2413710. The game auction is held on May 3 at 14:00 and further details can be obtained from Heidi, Tel 081 1281606 or Beate, Tel 081 1248230.

Hoërand FA is holding its annual 4x4 fun day on May 3 at Farm Graal of Mr Willie Truter in the Maltahöhe district. Guest can look for and pitch their camping site on May 2 already. Entries start at 06:30 on May 3 and children can also take part on quad bikes. Bike riders have to wear helmets. Entry fees are N$100 per vehicle and N$50 per quad bike. The day is concluded with a steak braai in the dunes. Dinner cost N$100 for adults and N$50 for children under 12 years. For further details contact Bartie Burger, Tel 063 293330, 081 3792626, antoiburger@gmail.com.

Dorsland FA is holding a general member meeting on May 7 at 15:00 at Saambou. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2116611, franseli@iway.na.

Mariental RAU is hosting a motivation day on May 8 at 09:00 at the Stampriet FA hall. Guest speakers are inter alia Ernst Janovski and Charl Senekal of South Africa. For further details contact Hannes Visagie, Tel 081 1249902, jwv@afol.com.na or Marina le Roux, Tel 063 252015, marpas@iway.na.

Aroab FA is holding a “vasbyt” fun day on May 9 at the FA hall. Farm bakkies, motor bikes and quad bikes can participate. The day is concluded with a dance and “roerbraai”. For further details contact Georgia Viljoen, Tel 081 7639948, bvaroab@gmail.com or Pieter van Schalkwyk, Tel 081 1248448.

Kalkplato FA is hosting a Braai Day at Witbooisvlei on May 24, 2014. This is a rib and sausage braai competition and the theme is “Braai on Safari”. For further details contact Grete Wiesner, Tel 081 1276103, glh@mweb.com.na.

The Simmentaler/Simbra breeders are holding a farmers day on June 3 at 09:00 at Farm Ouparakane of Mr Martin Harms in the Hochfeld vicinity. Communal, emerging and commercial farmers are welcome. Lectures will be given about animal feed, cattle sicknesses, fertility of cows and selection of young bulls. For further details contact M Harms, Tel 081 2928753, outeesim@iway.na or H Kruger, Tel 081 2964280, simnamibia@gmail.com.

The Limousin Breeders Association of Namibia is hosting a judging course at Hochfeld on June 11 & 12, 2014. The course is offered by Messrs Willie Grobler and Barend Dorfling and the costs are N$750 per person. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2116611, franseli@iway.na.

Exchange Rate NAD (19-25 April 2014)
	April	EURO	USD	POUND	PULA
Saturday	19	14.509	10.503	17.635	1.200
Sunday	20	14.509	10.503	17.635	1.200
Monday	21	14.471	10.494	17.622	1.199
Tuesday	22	14.552	10.543	17.745	1.206
Wednesday	23	14.657	10.611	17.790	1.212
Thursday	24	14.691	10.625	17.846	1.210
Friday	25	14.738	10.656	17.905	1.214
Saturday to Thursday:  17:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday:  07:15 UTC