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: NO MATTER THE SITUATION, NEVER LET YOUR EMOTIONS OVERPOWER YOUR
INTELLIGENCE
In
today’s newsletter –
·
Dairy
in deep water
·
Small
stock producers brain storm
·
NAU Open Day at Gobabis
·
FA and other days
Dairy
in deep water
The
situation of dairy producers in Namibia and the dairy industry in total is
worsening. On 23 February 2018 a special
meeting was held between the Management of the Dairy Producers Association and
representatives of the processor regarding a raw milk price reduction for
Namibian producers of 10 cents per litre and a further possible 10 cents
reduction by the end of April 2018. This
will be the second price reduction in the last 7 months for producers. These
price reductions could potentially mean the end of business for some of the
dairy producers. In addition to a price
reduction, payments of producers are being deferred on a monthly basis. Producers are also warned not increase any
milk production, as excess milk will most probably not be taken up in the
market.
This
critical situation in the dairy industry can be ascribed to mostly the influx
of cheap UHT milk and closely related other dairy products into Namibia. The
past two weeks, imported UHT milk, mostly from RSA, was selling on shelves of
Namibian retailers as low as N$10.99 per litre. In reality this milk is cheaper
than 1liter of water bottled in Namibia selling in the same shop! In
addition, the low imported UHT milk found on Namibian shelves is lower than the
same packs selling on the same day in RSA. That leaves a serious question
mark.
The
situation in the Namibian dairy industry needs immediate and serious attention.
The long awaited Bill (to control import and export of dairy and dairy
products) is essential and it is due to be tabled in Parliament this year.
Small
stock producers brain storm
The
Livestock Producers Association (LPO) in Namibia rallied small stock producers
this week in Keetmanshoop for a brain storming session to formulate a vision
for the small stock industry.
As
starting point, representatives agreed that there is a lack of correct and
reliable marketing figures for small stock.
Various actions were identified to address this issue.
The
concern regarding a reduction in small stock production was high on the
agenda. Although it seems that the small
stock industry has been in a more favourable position than the beef industry in
terms of profitability the past five years, small stock production has
decreased drastically. Reasons that were
speculated on varied from an increase in venereal diseases of the rams, an
increase in predator numbers, an increase in theft, and the long term drought
situation. There is also a tendency to
change from small stock production to cattle and game production. Producers in general have lost their trust
in the industry and this negatively impacts on investments. Management practises were also looked at as
well as the age group of the majority producers which results in less further
investments, especially in infrastructure
The
marketing environment has an impact on the production environment and
interference in this sector together with issues such as land reform creates
frustration and uncertainty. Small stock
representatives at the meeting was however of the opinion that production could
pick up again and there must be an investigation how to change the methods in
order to realise an open border, whilst still operating within government
policies.
The
day resulted in positive suggestions that will receive serious attention in the
following weeks.
NAU Open Day at Gobabis
The president of the NAU, Mr Ryno van der Merwe, the
chairman of the LPO, Mr Piet Gouws together with the Executive Manager, Mr
Roelie Venter attended an open day which was hosted by the Gobabis Regional Agricultural
Union. The president gave feedback about the current progress with the drafting
of a rural safety strategy, land tax,
the financing of the NAU as well as the quantification of the NAU
advantages. Mr Piet Gouws gave a presentation about the future of the meat
industry and emphasized that the viewpoint of the NAU is that all three markets
of producers (export of weaners to the RSA, slaughtering of cattle for the
Namibian consumers as well as export of beef to the EU and Norway) are of great
importance for a sustainable meat industry. The EM gave feedback about the
strategic priorities of the NAU for 2018. In spite of the drought conditions
the meeting took place in a positive spirit and open talk. The Meat Board also
attended the meeting and gave information and answered questions.
Agronomy day Grootfontein
Die Grootfontein Farmers’ Association will
host an agronomy day on 10 March 2018 at 08:30 at farm Venus of Mr Klaas
Malan. The day is dedicated to
mechanisation and technology and is loaded with practical demonstrations. RSV to Mr Klaas Malan 067-242094/
081 124 0463 or malanjn@iway.na
NAU AgriBraai
The NAU AgriBraai is hosted by the Kalahari Oos FA
on May 25 & 26, 2018 at the Gobabis Show grounds. The theme is “Cattle
Country Cowboy” and on Saturday night the Campbells will perform. FA’s are now
already encouraged to participate this year and the entries close on April 30.
More details will be given in due course and can be obtained from Kalahari Oos
FA, Tel 081 2612838, kario@iway.na. For more details click here Information and
to enter click here Entry form.
Poultry/Eggs
– Member meeting and Information day
The Poultry Producers
Association (PPA) hosts its annual member meeting as well as an information
session for current and upcoming poultry/egg producers on 15 March 2018 at the
Boardroom of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) in Windhoek. The information session will, among
others, look at the steps taken by the industry to become independent. Speakers include Dr
Sean Wisdom from C4 Africa on Avian Influenza, Mr Hannes Koekemoer from
Feedmaster on SME Development and Mr James Roux, a local egg producer on
reaching independency. This day would not be possible without our partner
Feedmaster.
RSVP for
this event is compulsory. There are
limited seats and a strict NO BOOKING - NO SEAT policy will be applicable. RSVP at rina@agrinamibia.com.na before 13
March 2018
FA and other days
The
Namibia Stud Breeders Association hosts
a livestock producers symposium op 5 March at 08:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek
Rind, Windhoek show grounds. Speakers are Mr Graham Truscott, Dr Alfredo
Lepori, Dr Michael Bradfield and Ms Jeanine Labuschagne and the costs are N$250
per person. For further information and to register contact Larrochelle Bryden,
Tel 0027 12 6675258, admin@agribsa.co.za
or Jeanine Labuschagne, Tel 0027 12 6675258, herdmaster@agribsa.co.za.
The
Wagyu Association of South Africa is
introducing the Wagyu to Namibia and is offering a livestock producers symposium on March 6. This symposium will be
held at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek show grounds from 09:00 – 13:30
and entrance is free. Speakers are Dr Fanie Steyn, Mr Brian Angus, Dr Michael
Bradfield and Mr Graham Truscott. Questions can be asked and lunch is from
12:30 – 13:30. Please register with Ivonne van Tonder, Tel 00 27 61 4084123, office@wagyu.org.za.
Summerdown FA is
holding a member meeting on March 6 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Speakers are a
person from Tandelta, Mr Corne Mostert of Virbac and Louisa Richmond-Coggan who
will talk about leopards on farms. For further details contact Rienie du
Plessis, Tel 081 2852169, summerdownbv@gmail.com.
Karibib
FA is holding a
meeting on March 10 at 17:00 at Farm Ukuib. Guest speaker is Dr Louisa
Richmond-Coggan who will talk about NAPHA’s national leopard census. For
further details contact Doris Gladis, Tel 061 237400, doris@hemconamibia.com.
Windhoek RAU is
holding a meeting on March 12 at 08:30 at the NAU Board room, Windhoek. For
further details contact Marianne Seifert, Tel 062 581650, info@farm-heimat.com.
Otjiwarongo FA is
holding its annual general meeting on March 13 at 09:00 at the NG Church hall.
For further details contact Maureen Laubscher, Tel 067 306250, management@otjiwa.com.na.
Kalkfeld
FA is holding a
member meeting on March 13 at 08:00 for 08:30 at Farm Eremutua of Ortwin and
Silke von Gossler. For further details contact Silke von Gossler, Tel 067
290119, orua@iway.na.
Maltahöhe FA is
holding a member meeting on March 14 at 10:00 at Farm Hoogtevrede of Mr &
Mrs Oubaas Klein. Speakers are the Executive Manager of the NAU, Mr Roelie
Venter and Suncycles Namibia will talk about e-mobility. Further details from
Mr Ernst Sauber, Tel 081 1494963, ernst@buellsport.com.
Keetmanshoop
RAU is holding a
meeting on Thursday, March 15 at 08:00 at the Central Lodge Keetmansoop. Dr
Louisa Richmond-Coggan will be guest speaker. For further details contact Ernst Blaauw, menasse413@gmail.com or Amelia van Rooyen, jomarbon100@gmail.com.
Hochfeld FA is
holding a member meeting on March 20 at 15:00 at the FA hall. The theme is
“Security” and guest speakers are Mr Steven Lochner of TSU Africa and Mr
Bernhard Ackermann of Ondjou Fencing. Further details from Bianca Marggraff,
Tel 081 3007584, hochfeldbv@gmail.com.
Epukiro FA is holding a general meeting on March 20 at 15:00
at Farm Strumfeld of Mr & Mrs Jurie and Monika Wiesner. Speakers are Mr
Delport from Feedmaster, Mr Swart of Nampower and a person from Bank Windhoek.
For further details contact Mr
Jacobs, Tel 062 567471, cj.jacobs@live.com or Mr Beukes, Tel 062 568054, faan@iway.na
Mariental RAU is
hosting a motivation day under the
theme “Future of Meat Production” on March 28 at 07:30. Further details will be
given in due course and can be obtained from Antoinette Burger, Tel 063 293330,
antoiburger@gmail.com.
The Namibian Stud Breeders
Association are hosting the Meat Production School on April 10 at 08:30 at
the Otjiwa Game Lodge. The theme is “Paradigm shift needed in the farming
sector” and speakers are inter alia Emile Jung, Dr Rudy Koekemoer, Christo
Viljoen, Gernot Eggert, Dawie Kok, Japie Engelbrecht, Johannes Dausab and others.
Registration is N$150 per person and further details can be obtained from Jacque
Els, Tel 081 1281032, jacque@iway.na.
Kalkfeld FA is
hosting its Agri Mega Day on June 21
at Farm Klein Otjikango-Ost of Ekundi Farming. This year they will add another
category, namely “Farmers Patents” of any sort. They invite farmers and other
persons to exhibit their farmers patents at the Agri Mega Day. For further
information phone Tel 081 3288235, kalkfeld@hotmail.com.
|
Exchange Rate NAD (23 February - 2
March 2018)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb/Mrch
|
EURO
|
USD
|
POUND
|
PULA
|
|
|
Saturday
|
24
|
14.198
|
11.548
|
16.130
|
1.215
|
|
|
Sunday
|
25
|
14.195
|
11.546
|
16.127
|
1.215
|
|
|
Monday
|
26
|
14.285
|
11.618
|
16.209
|
1.230
|
|
|
Tuesday
|
27
|
14.335
|
11.713
|
16.285
|
1.238
|
|
|
Wednesday
|
28
|
14.388
|
11.783
|
16.248
|
1.235
|
|
|
Thursday
|
1
|
14.519
|
11.882
|
16.346
|
1.239
|
|
|
Friday
|
2
|
14.549
|
11.856
|
16.325
|
1.237
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday to Thursday: 17:00 UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time)
|
|
Friday: 08:38 UTC
|
|
|
|
|
|
