Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

WEEKLY NEWS – 25 November 2011

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: THE HEART WHICH CAN SPOT THE PRETTY, IS MORE RECEPTIVE FOR THE GOOD – Sean Parker Dennison

In today’s newsletter –

·         Returns of farm information for valuation purposes

·         NAPHA has to look wider

·         FA and other news

Returns of farm information for valuation purposes

A notice was published in Government Gazette No 4833, dated 15 November 2011, in terms of which the Minister of Lands and Resettlement requires certain information for valuation of farm land for land tax purposes in accordance with the Land Valuation and Taxation Regulations, 2007. These Regulations are in terms of Section 77 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, 1995, as amended.

Numerous enquiries have been received by the NAU regarding the content of the Land Tax Return Form and whether all the information is relevant for the purposes of land tax as stipulated in the Act. The Valuer General at the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement assured the NAU that the information will not be used for any other purpose, other than is stipulated in the Act for land taxation purposes.

In terms of the Regulations a mass appraisal system is being used to determine the unimproved site (prairie) value (USV) of agricultural land for land tax purposes. The current inspection of farms by the Ministry is to collect improvements data on farms that changed ownership since 2006. This has been done to determine the value at which bare land might be sold by a willing seller to a willing buyer as stipulated in terms of Regulation 4(6) of the Land Valuation and Taxation Regulations. For land taxation purposes, the valuer must then disregard all improvements on the specific land to determine the prairie value of that land for land tax purposes.

Although the Ministry performed spot checks on land that changed hands since 2006, as indicated above, the Ministry needs the information of each individual farm to compare the already acquired information with that as provided on the questionnaire. This will enable the Ministry to come to a reasonable prairie value of land with the same physiographic characteristics such as carrying capacity (with disregard of overgrazing and bush encroachment).

This questionnaire will be provided to all agricultural land owners.

Although the Act stipulates that these questionnaires should be returned by the 31^st January 2012, the Valuer General indicated that this deadline will be extended to give landowners sufficient time to complete the questionnaire and return it in time to the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement.  Any farmer that requires more information regarding the Land Tax Return Form can contact the Valuer General on telephone numbers 061 2965100/061 2965101/061 2965030.

NAPHA has to look wider

On the 38^th General Annual Meeting of the professional hunters, the president of NAPHA, MrJanneman Brand said that NAPHA cannot sit on an island but have to be part of other hunters associations in Africa and the world. Against this background, decisions and management of NAPHA have to take note about what is going on in the world. As an example he mentioned that the illegal hunting of rhino’s is a global problem which threatens these species and that Namibia has to take note that this will most probably increase in Namibia.

Questions such as elephant hunting, breeding and hunting of lions as well as ethnical hunting are a big challenge for hunting associations throughout the world. Hunters Associations have a big responsibility to expand and maintain the ethics of this profession so that the general public will get the proper picture thereof.

Various awards were also given at the Annual General Meeting. The most active NAPHA member for 2011 was Mrs Gudrun Heger of Okahandja whilst Dr Chris Brown received the award for the Conservationist of the Year. MrsHeger encouraged other NAPHA members to actively take part in the activities of the organization whilst Dr Chris Brown appealed to Government to legalize the sale of rhino horns.

As part of their money collection campaign of the year, NAPHA members sell medals. This year Mark and AntheaKoekemoer of Gobabis received the award for selling the most medals.

Temporary office closure

The Roads Authority announced that the Roads Authority Head Office, the Windhoek NaTIS Tal Str office, the Transport Regulation Services office as well as the Aris and Brackwater weighbridges will be closed for the day on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 due to internal official business. Any enquiries can be addressed to HileniFillemon, Tel 061 2847145/67, pr@ra.org.na.

We say thank you

Attie and Elsa Knipe and family would like to thank everybody who helped extinguish the fire on Ubib and Spreetshoogte pass.

We really appreciated each person’s assistance. Thank you.

FA and other news

Summerdown FA is holding its annual Xmas tree on December 10 at 18:00 at the FA hall. Everybody is welcome. Guests who want to bring along children under the age of 12 years or granny or granddad, must please give the names before December 1 to MardaleenDerks, Tel 062 568887, derks@iway.na.

Aroab FA is holding its last meeting for the year on December 2. The year end function will also take place on December 2 under the theme “uittoeka se dae”. Farmers Associations who want to take part in the Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition, must please sent the entry forms to Brenda Kotze to Fax 063 281218, P O Box 76, Aroab or Kalahari@iway.na.

Omuramba FA is holding its year end function on November 26 at 18:30 for 19:00 and this will be a bring and braai. Please register with MarikaEngelbrecht, Tel 062 571545, engelk@mweb.com.na.

Uhlenhorst FA is holding a meeting on November 26 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is MrAppie van Niekerk who will talk about electric fencing on farms. A new management will be elected. For further details contact Mr Willie, Krügel, Tel 063 265311, 081 2492509, disal@iway.na.

Dorsland FA will hold its year end function on December 3 at 19:00 in the club hall at Saambou. This will be a dinner and dance and entry fees will be announced at a later stage. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2924917,franseli@iway.na

Helmeringhausen FA is holding a meeting on November 30 at 14:00 at the FA centre. Guest speaker is a representative from the stock theft unit of the Namibia Police in Keetmanshoop. For further details contact Christian Frank-Schultz, Tel 081 3543619,duwisib@iway.na.

Witvlei FA is holding its year end function on December 3 at 18:00 in the farmer house at Witvlei. Before the year end function there will be a short FA meeting. Please register not later than November 21 with Wilfried, Tel 062 570340 or Monica, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.

The 2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on March 31, 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show Grounds. The theme is “//karas” (which means Kokerboom). Exhibitors can book their exhibition space now already. Entries for the braai teams close on February 15, 2011. Further details for the booking of stands can be obtained from ANTOINETTE OOSTHUYSEN, Tel 063 683433, antoinetteoosthuysen@iway.na. To enter braai teams – FA and social, contact BRENDA KOTZE, Tel 063 281208, Kalahari@iway.na and any other information can be obtained from WILLEM STEENKAMP, Tel 063 280655, toulon@iway.na.

Notice Board 22 November 2011

Books on Sheep and Dairy Cattle Production (Afrikaans) available at Demasuis Publications cc (tel 061 236938)

Abattoir Prices Namibia for the week 21 to 25 November 2011

Courtesy FEEDMASTER

E-mail: info@feedmaster.com.na

www.feedmaster.com.na

Tel: 061 262 056

Fax: 061 262 056

Conservation Agriculture in Namibia

A meeting on Conservation Agriculture (CA) was held at the Lalapanzi resort outside Grootfontein on the 16th of November 2011. The meeting was attended by staff members from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) and members of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations  (UN) including Dr. Theodor Friedrich, Mr. Martin Ager and Mr. Jan Venema.

Following a request from the MAWF of Namibia, the FAO proposed the the development of a Comprehensive Programme for Concervation Agriculture  in Namibia (CCAPN). This proposed CCAPN was deliberated during the meeting. The final proposal will be announced at a later stage.

The Presentations included:
1.CA the Foundation of a new agriculture paradigm (download at: https://www.box.net/shared/gy77vy6bsbscmdtpb0ya)
2. Comprehensive CA Programme for Namibia (download at: https://www.box.net/shared/hom3pkot4nyo6gjfigz2)
3. A Comprehensive CA Programme for Namibia Draft framework (download at: https://www.box.net/shared/l0xlemczt9sh9tsmoe5y)

Above: Mr. Jan Venema from the FAO explaining Conservation Agriculture

Mr. Kavari from the UN office in Namibia facilitating the discussion 

Mrs. Berthine Antindi, Deputy Director, Extension Services for the North East Division attentively contributing

Staff members from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry actively participating in the discussions

Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

WEEKLYS NEWS – 18 November 2011

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: WE TREAT THIS WORLD AS IF WE HAVE A SECOND ONE IN OUR BOOT – Jane Fonda

In today’s newsletter –

·         NamLITS database

·         Charcoal producers talk about veld fires

·         FA and other news

NamLITS database

Producers are again made attend on the request that the following must be adhered to:

1.    Owners of livestock must apply the approved ear tags as from the age of 6 months

2.    The coupled registration card must be completed correctly (especially with regard to the farm where the animal is) and submitted within 14 days to the nearest Veterinary office (DVS)

3.    Movement permits must be returned to the nearest DVS office within 14 days

4.    Proof of receipt must be given to the producer. The DVS official is also responsible to verify the data

Producers are also requested to register on the NamLITS database on the website www.namlits.com in order to verify their own data.

Furthermore there are also the so-called “help desks” where producers can make enquiries:

Aveshe Data Entry Unit – HELPDESK

Tel: 061 227036 Fax: 061 228361 email: helpdesk@avesheconsultancy.com

Mrs. Zandrie Nortje

Tel: 061 275851 Fax: 061238839 email: enquiries@nammic.com.na

Finally producers have to ensure, before the animals are heading to an export abattoirs, that these animals are registered on the database and comply to the 40/90 days requirement.

Charcoal producers talk about veld fires

The Charcoal Producers Association held a special meeting on Tuesday, November 15 at Farm Pierre of Mr Willem Groenewald in order to reflect about the danger of veld fires due to charcoal production. During the meeting certain measures were accepted in order to prevent veld fires. These measures include inter alia –

·         That charcoal production must take place in camps which are already grazed

·         As an alternative, that a 6 meter fire belt be scraped around the camp in which charcoal production is taking place

·         That at least a 3 meter belt around the kiln is cleaned before it is used for charcoal production

·         That charcoal burners are equipped with basic fire fighting equipment and

·         That neighbours are informed of charcoal production on a specific farm

The management of the Charcoal Producers Association will again enter into discussions with the Directorate Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry about the promulgation of regulations for charcoal production. Should charcoal producers not adhere to such regulations, their permits can be suspended by the Directorate of Forestry.

We say thank you

We would like to thank all the people for the fast assistance and input with the veld fire on our farm Tokat on November 78, 2011. Stephanie and Angelika Kuehl

Nursery schools on farms

Amos Namibia would like to assist with vesting nursery schools (pre-primary school children) on farms in 2012 as they are of the opinion that this is the best and only way to help children on farms to reach their potential – thus make them ready for school! Their working ways are as follows: Farmworkers women are trained free of charge in Windhoek by AKM (Aksie Kinder Mobilisasie). Lessons are given in Afrikaans and English. AKM also assist with erecting a small school.

If there are children on farms and in the vicinity who could benefit from such pre-school training and if there are women who could go for a training course from November 28 – December 2, 2011, please contact Judie Wiese at Tel 062 570316, 081 1271018.

ATCK courses

The Agricultural Training College Krumhukis offering the following two-year courses for 2012: sustainable agriculture and farm household management. Students between 18 and 25 years who can communicate in English and are in possession of a grade 10 certificate can apply for these courses. The costs are N$1 500 for the first 3 months introduction course and N$10 000 for the full two years. For further details and application forms contact Krumhuk College at Tel 061 400677, info@atckrumhuk.org. There are also applications forms available at the NAU office, 114 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek.

FA and other news

Witvlei FA is holding its year end function on December 3 at 18:00 in the farmerhouse at Witvlei. Before the year end function there will be a short FA meeting. Please register not later than November 21 with Wilfried, Tel 062 570340 or Monica, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.

Bethanie FA is holding its year end function on November 25 at 17:00 at the Bethanie Hotel. This will be a bring and braai. For further details contact Ina de Klerk, Tel 063-683521, 081 2743860,  ina.deklerk@gmail.com

Helmeringhausen FA is holding a meeting on November 30 at 14:00 at the FA centre. Guest speaker is a representative from the stock theft unit of the Namibia Police in Keetmanshoop. For further details contact Christian Frank-Schultz, Tel 081 3543619, duwisib@iway.na.

Dorsland FA will hold its year end function on December 3 at 19:00 in the club hall at Saambou. This will be a dinner and dance and entry fees will be announced at a later stage. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2924917, franseli@iway.na.

Steinhausen FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on December 10 at 15:00 in the FA hall at Farm Steinhausen. For further details contact Mayke Rumpf, Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na.

Gamsberg FA is holding its year end function which will be a Hippie party. This party will be held on November 19 at 19:00 at the FA hall and the best “Hippie Dress” will get a prize. Hippie children are also welcome and registration is N$100 for adults and N$50 for children under 12 years. Please reply not later than November 11 to Mrs Adele Cranz, Tel 081 2739525, adele@isabis4x4.com.

Sonop FA is holding a meeting on November 19 at 09:00 at the FA hall on farm Frauenhofen. Guest speaker is Mr Fonk Genis who will talk about rangelands methods. The day will be concluded with farmers sport and a spitbraai. For further details contact Cheryll Pienaar, Tel 062 563189, kobus@adventure-namibia.com.

NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunting Association) will hold their Annual General Meeting on November 22 &23 at the Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek The meeting starts on November 22 at 08:30 until 10:00 (thereafter is a closed session) and on November 23 from 08:00 to 13:00. The gala dinner is held on November 22 at 18:30 for 19:00. For further details contact Marsofine Kynauw, Tel 061 234455, marso@napha.com.na.

Uhlenhorst FA is holding a meeting on November 26 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Appie van Niekerk who will talk about electric fencing on farms. A new management will be elected. For further details contact Mr Willie, Krügel, Tel 063 265311, 081 2492509, disal@iway.na.

The 2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on March 31, 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show Grounds. The theme is “//karas” (which means Kokerboom). Exhibitors can book their exhibition space now already. Entries for the braai teams close on February 15, 2011. Further details for the booking of stands can be obtained from ANTOINETTE OOSTHUYSEN, Tel 063 683433, antoinetteoosthuysen@iway.na. To enter braai teams – FA and social, contact BRENDA KOTZE, Tel 063 281208, Kalahari@iway.na and any other information can be obtained from WILLEM STEENKAMP, Tel 063 280655, toulon@iway.na.

NamFresh launched in Tsumeb

A Capacity Building workshop on Namibia Fresh Produce GAP Standards and Trade was held at Tsumeb from 17 to 18 November 2011. The long awaited NamFresh was officially launched by Honorable, John Mutorwa, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.

Honorable Minister Mutorwa officially announcing NamFresh 

Mr. Desmond Tshikesho (Under Secretary of MAWF) elaborating on NamFresh assisted by Honorable Mutorwa

Reporting on TIPEEG Programmes in Erongo Region

The Erongo Regional Development Coordinating Committee Meeting was held at the Erongo Regional Council office in Swakopmund on the 15th of November 2011. Line Ministries was requested to report on the progress of  their respective TIPEEG programmes in the Erongo Region. The TIPPEG document can be accessed at: http://www.npc.gov.na/publications/TIPEEG.pdf

In the picture participants of the Erongo RDCC attending the TIPEEG meeting.

Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

WEEKLY NEWS – 11 November 2011

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: KINDNESS IS THE LANGUAGE WHICH THE DEAF CAN HEAR AND THE BLIND CAN SEE – Mark Twain

In today’s newsletter –

·         Minister of Lands opens land reform discussion

·         Problems on the NamLITS database are addressed

·         NAU changes congress decision into strategic aim

·         Concern about losses from predators

·         FA and other days

Minister of Lands opens land reform discussion

The Minister of Lands and Resettlement, Mr Alpheus !Naruseb today officially opened the discussion which was organised by the Evangelic Lutheran Church in Namibia. During his opening speech the Minister emphasised that better communication and the establishment of a price committee at the Ministry of Lands caused that land owners feel at liberty to offer their farms for sale to Government. The Minister also said that the land reform program in Namibia must be handled realistic and practical and appealed to people not to act emotionally.

Furthermore the Minister pointed out that even though the primary function of the Ministry of Lands is to resettle landless people, the Ministry also has a responsibility towards all land owners in Namibia, including commercial farmers. He expressed his appreciation towards the Emerging Farmers Program (a program which initially was established by the NAU and NNFU with funding from the European Union and which has been taken over and is financed by the GIZ and AgriBank). He appealed to the civil society to assist with technical aspects of farming at resettlement farms.

The conference was organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in cooperation with the NNFU and other non governmental organisations and will last until Sunday, November 13, 2011.

Problems on the NamLITS database are addressed

As already mentioned in our previous newsletter, all animals have to comply with the 40/90 days residence as from November 2, 2011. The 40/90 days residence furthermore requires that it has to be registered on the central NamLITS database. Unfortunately this database was not kept up to date. During an emergency meeting with the industry, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry ensured that they will do everything in their power to solve this problem. Additional temporary workers are employed and additional computers were installed at the Ministry, the Meat Board and Meatco in order to work at this backlog. The following must again be URGENTLY brought under the attention of producers –

1.    Producers have to submit the registration cards which are delivered together with the eartags, within 14 days after applying the eartags to the nearest Veterinary office

2.    Movement permits together with the register must be submitted to the nearest Veterinary office within 7 days after movement

3.    Insist on a proof that these documents were submitted each time

4.    Ensure that the animals are registered on the NamLITS database before they are slaughtered at an export abattoir!!

NAU changes congress decision into strategic aim

The decision taken at the NAU Congress in October this year with regard to economic growth and employment creation was changed this week into a strategic aim by the Executive Council.

The Executive Council converted all the information which was given during the congress by speakers such as the Director General of the National Planning Commission, Mr Tom Alweendo and Prof Johan Willemse of the Freestate University as well as input from Farmers Associations into a strategic aim. A working group will be compiled to finalise a report which was drafted by the NAU for submission to other role players which include the National Planning Commission, the Ministries of Agriculture, Water& Forestry, Trade & Industry as well as Finance and certain individuals from the private sector.

The aim of this document is to lobby support for certain actions which will hopefully result in faster economic growth in the agricultural sector and the creation of employment opportunities. An analysis will inter alia be done of all policies, strategies and legislation which might have an influence on economic growth and employment creation in order to identify certain bottlenecks. The aim is to create a favourable environment in which the agricultural sector can develop and grow.

Furthermore existing and potential projects with socio economic advantages such as increased production and employment creation and the reason why these projects were not implemented will be investigated.

A further concern of the Executive Council is the degree of interference of Government in certain marketing actions. Clarity must be obtained about certain definitions with regard to the economy as contained in the Constitution and Vision 2030 in order to get surety about what is actually meant by statements such as free market system and an optimal marketing environment. For this purpose a policy analyst will be part of this working committee.

Concern about losses from predators

Losses due to predators and problem animals reach alarming proportions and the jakkal plague in the South lead to thousands of N$ losses. In the North it is especially the elephant plague in the North-West as well as losses due to leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. The Livestock Producers Organisation regularly discuss this point on their management meetings and at the recent meeting which took place this week, decided to do a country wide survey about these losses.

A reporting system of incidents, type predator / problem animals and the losses will be designed by the LPO management and sent to Farmers Associations and members. The aim of the survey is to put mechanisms into place in cooperation with other role players for the control and management of predators. One such mechanism the LPO strives for is to get subsidised loans for the repair and upgrading of jackal proof fences in the South.

Prevention of veld fires

The NAU again would like to appeal to all farmers and especially absentee landlords to take precautionary measures against veld fires. This includes inter alia the scraping of fire belts, keep dams full with water, have fire fighting equipment at hand, etc. It is recommended that these land owners give a plan of their farms and infrastructure to their FA’s so that the necessary precautions can be taken in case of a veld fire.

FA and other days

Sonop FA is holding a meeting on November 19 at 09:00 at the FA hall on farm Frauenhofen. Guest speaker is MrFonkGenis who will talk about rangelands methods. The day will be concluded with farmers sport and a spitbraai. For further details contact CheryllPienaar, Tel 062 563189, kobus@adventure-namibia.com.

Nauchas FA is holding a meeting and year end function on November 12 at 15:00 at the Solitaire Country Lodge. Guest speakers are Mr Tim Parkhouse of the NEF (Namibia Employers Federation) and MrHailwa, the Director of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry. The day is concluded with a dinner and dance. For further details contact LizelleKnipe, Tel 081 2688912, spreetshoogte@iway.na.

The Ombotozu Conservancy is holding a game day on November 12 at 09:00 at Farm Ovita of Mr Claus Nebe. Speakers are Dr Axel Rothauge, DrCornelis van der Waal, Norton Izaks and Louis Potgieter. At 15:00 a field visit will take place. For further details contact MrG Muller, Tel 062 518372, Johan Kotze, 062 518358 or Willem Tromp, 062 518343.

Omurambo FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on November 15 at 15:00 at Kroonster. For further details contact MrsMarikaEngelbrecht, Tel 062 571545, engelk@mweb.com.na.

Dordabis FA will hold a meeting and year end function on November 17 at 10:00 at Farm Binsenheim of Walter and Christine Romeis. Guest speakers are Insp S Burger from the stock theft unit from the Khomas region Police and Mr Walter Romeis. For further details contact Christine Romeis, Tel 061 231230, cwromeis@iway.na.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting and year end on November 16 at 09:00 at the Namseb Game Lodge. During the meeting Mr Johan Grobbelaar will talk about the (bow) hunting shop and Mrs du Plessis of Standard Bank about Testaments. After the meeting the Annual General Meeting will be held during which a new management will be elected. For further details contact Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, ottojagd@iway.na.

The Charcoal Producers Association is holding a special meeting to discuss the possible causes of veld fires as well as fire belts and other possibilities how to prevent veld fires. The Labour Act for charcoal burners will also be discussed. This meeting will be held on November 15 at 09:00 at Farm Pierre of MrGroenewald (approx. 70km outside Outjo on the road to Otavi). All charcoal producers are welcome and have to register by November 8 at FransHolzkampf, Tel 081 2406181 or Willem Enslin, Tel 081 2305078.

Gamsberg FA is holding its year end function which will be a Hippie party. This party will be held on November 19 at 19:00 at the FA hall and the best “Hippie Dress” will get a prize. Hippie children are also welcome and registration is N$100 for adults and N$50 for children under 12 years. Please reply not later than November 11 to Mrs Adele Cranz, Tel 081 2739525, adele@isabis4x4.com.

Summerdown FA is holding a meeting on November 16 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speakers are Messrs Tyrone Gilbert of Basil Reed and Insp Johan Vermeulen who will talk about Police reservists. Everybody is welcome. For further information contact MardaleenDerks, Tel 081 2779735, derks@iway.na.

Uhlenhorst FA is holding a meeting on November 26 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is MrAppie van Niekerk who will talk about electric fencing on farms. A new management will be elected. For further details contact Mr Willie, Krügel, Tel 063 265311, 081 2492509, disal@iway.na.

NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunting Association) will hold their Annual General Meeting on November 22 &23 at the Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek The meeting starts on November 22 at 08:30 until 10:00 (thereafter is a closed session) and on November 23 from 08:00 to 13:00. The gala dinner is held on November 22 at 18:30 for 19:00. For further details contact MarsofineKynauw, Tel 061 234455, marso@napha.com.na.

Namibia Professional Hunters Association Annual Meeting

The Namibia Professional Hunters Association (Napha) will have their Annual Meeting at Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek from 22 to 23 November 2011.
The meeting will start at 8:30 am on the 22nd of November and will be closed for the public from 10:00 am onward. A Gala dinner will be held on the 22 November at 18:30. For more information please contact Ms. Marsofine Krynauw at 061 234455 or e-mail at marso@napha.com.na 

Abattoir Prices Namibia 7 to 11 November 2011

Courtesy FEEDMASTER: www.feedmaster.com.na
               E- mail: info@feedmaster.com.na
               Tel: 00264 61 218713   Fax: 00264 61 262056           

News from the MEAT BOARD and MEATCO

Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter

WEEKLY NEWS – 4 November 2011

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: YEARS TEACH US MORE THAN BOOKS – Berthold Auerbach

In today’s newsletter –

·         Slaughtering at export abattoirs for the EU-market

·         Dairy Producers Association (DPA) management met for the last time in 2011

·         FA and other news

Slaughtering at export abattoirs for the EU-market

As from November 1, 2011 the EU 40/90 days residence requirements will be applied strictly by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS). Animals which have not resided for 40 days at one place can be slaughtered, but the meat does NOT qualify for the EU market (also the price).

After applying the new ear tags, producers have to complete the registration card and submit it to the DVS office within 14 days. Producers are also REQUESTED to ask for PROOF that the card was submitted. These animals are then registered on the central database of DVS. In this way DVS gives a guarantee to the EU that these animals were on a farm for 40 days before slaughtering.

Numerous producers already fulfilled these requirements whilst there are some who did not fulfill them. A further problem is that DVS is not quite up to date with the capturing of the registration cards and the transport permits (at least movement of animals). Thus it is requested that producers ensure themselve that these specific animals are registered on the central database before slaughtering at an export abattoir. This can be done in different ways:

1.    Through the company which is responsible for the capturing of this data. This company has a helpdesk to which enquiries can be addressed: Aveshe data entry unit: Tel: 061-227036, Fax: 061-228361, email: helpdesk@avesheconsultancy.com;

2.    Or to register on the website: www.namlits.com

Dairy Producers Association (DPA) management met for the last time in 2011

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011 the DPA management met to discuss some urgent matters which were on the Agenda. One of the most urgent matters is the dumping of subsidized milk products on the Namibian shelves which influence the local dairy industry negatively. Clover now officially has a distribution point in Namibia and UHT milk products from Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay are now on Namibian and Botswana shelves. A DPA submission has already been given to the Permanent Secretary of Trade and Industry about the effect of dumping on the dairy industry and possible protection measures. Further appointments are currently made with the Permanent Secretaries of Agriculture as well as Finance.

Regarding the increasing input costs, dairy producers are currently busy to look at their own effectiveness especially in the light of savings with regard to transport.

As soon as the secretariat has received the latest information, producers will be informed individually about the new quotas for November 2011 until February 2012.

Namlits information

Any enquiries related to information captured on Namlits, eg cattle registration, movement permits, etc can be directed to Aveshe Data Entry Unit – Helpdesk, Tel 061 227036, Fax 061 228361, helpdesk@avesheconsultancy.com.

Proceedings of the 2011 Namibia Rangeland Forum at the Waterberg Plateau Park

To have access to documents of the proceedings of the Namibia Rangeland Forum (8 & 9 September 2011), please click on:

http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/index.php?module=Downloads&func=sublevel&cid=22&start=0

Charcoal producers meet

Veld fires increased drastically the past few weeks, especially in the central-northern parts of Namibia. Thousands of ha’s rangeland burnt down and large numbers of game and cattle died in these veld fires.

Following this and the recent reports in which charcoal production was given as one of the results of veld fires, all producers are invited to a special meeting by the Charcoal Producers Association (CPA).

Subjects which are inter alia discussed are the possible causes of veld fires, fire belts and other preventative measures, the implication of veld fires on charcoal production as well as labour legislation for charcoal burners. The meeting will be held on November 15 at 09:00 at Farm Pierre of MrGroenewald, about 70km from Outjo on the road to Otavi.

Please confirm your attendance before or on November 8 with FransHolzkampf at 081 2406181 or Willem Enslin at 081 2305078.

NAPHA will hold their Annual General Meeting

NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunting Association) will hold their Annual General Meeting on November 22 &23 at the Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek The meeting starts on November 22 at 08:30 until 10:00 (thereafter is a closed session) and on November 23 from 08:00 to 13:00. The gala dinner is held on November 22 at 18:30 for 19:00. For further details contact MarsofineKynauw, Tel 061 234455, marso@napha.com.na.

FA and other news

Dordabis FA will hold a meeting and year end function on November 17 at 10:00 at Farm Binsenheim of Walter and Christine Romeis. Guest speakers are Insp S Burger from the stock theft unit from the Khomas region Police and Mr Walter Romeis. For further details contact Christine Romeis, Tel 061 231230, cwromeis@iway.na.

Gamsberg FA is holding its year end function which will be a Hippie party. This party will be held on November 19 at 19:00 at the FA hall and the best “Hippie Dress” will get a prize. Hippie children are also welcome and registration is N$100 for adults and N$50 for children under 12 years. Please reply not later than November 11 to Mrs Adele Cranz, Tel 081 2739525, adele@isabis4x4.com.

Omurambo FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on November 15 at 15:00 at Kroonster. For further details contact MrsMarikaEngelbrecht, Tel 062 571545, engelk@mweb.com.na.

Summerdown FA is holding a meeting on November 16 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speakers are Messrs Tyrone Gilbert of Basil Reed and Insp Johan Vermeulen who will talk about Police reservists. Everybody is welcome. For further information contact MardaleenDerks, Tel 081 2779735, derks@iway.na.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting and year end on November 16 at 09:00 at the Namseb Game Lodge. During the meeting Mr Johan Grobbelaar will talk about the (bow) hunting shop and Mrs du Plessis of Standard Bank about Testaments. After the meeting the Annual General Meeting will be held during which a new management will be elected. For further details contact Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, ottojagd@iway.na.

The Ombotozu Conservancy is holding a game day on November 12 at 09:00 at Farm Ovita of Mr Claus Nebe. Speakers are Dr Axel Rothauge, DrCornelis van der Waal, Norton Izaks and Louis Potgieter. At 15:00 a field visit will take place. For further details contact MrG Muller, Tel 062 518372, Johan Kotze, 062 518358 or Willem Tromp, 062 518343.

Uhlenhorst FA is holding a meeting on November 26 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is MrAppie van Niekerk who will talk about electric fencing on farms. A new management will be elected. For further details contact Mr Willie, Krügel, Tel 063 265311, 081 2492509, disal@iway.na.

The 2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on March 31, 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show Grounds. The theme is “//karas” (which means Kokerboom). Exhibitors can book their exhibition space now already. Entries for the braai teams close on February 15, 2011. Further details for the booking of stands can be obtained from ANTOINETTE OOSTHUYSEN, Tel 063 683433, antoinetteoosthuysen@iway.na. To enter braai teams – FA and social, contact BRENDA KOTZE, Tel 063 281208, Kalahari@iway.na and any other information can be obtained from WILLEM STEENKAMP, Tel 063 280655, toulon@iway.na.