Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly Newsletter 6 July 2012

http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/

WEEKLY NEWS – 6 July 2012

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THERE IS NO HOPE – George Washington

Sakkie Coetzee: Manager NAU

In today’s newsletter –

·         Contingency Plan in case of a Foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease outbreak

·         Livestock breeders visit Zambia

·         FA and other news

Contingency Plan in case of a Foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease outbreak

Namibia being a net exporter (approximately 80% of the total production) of red meat is dependant on its international export markets. Namibia south of the cordon fence is internationally accepted by the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) as FMD-free. This status is of utmost importance for Namibia.

The FMD contingency plan was discussed during a workshop on July 5, 2012. The main aim of this contingency plan is to identify shortcomings and especially on how the plan can be put into action quickly and effectively should there be a FMD outbreak in Namibia. Representatives of the various stakeholders such as the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Veterinary Association, NAU, NNFU, NAPHA, Abattoirs Association, etc attended the workshop.

Various aspects which must receive attention were identified especially the costs of emergency funds which must be in reserve to immediately implement the plan. Furthermore the shortage of DVS personnel was discussed, the cooperation on community level and the deployment of the Police and Defence Force should there be a FMD outbreak. It was also emphasized that awareness and especially communication during a FMD outbreak is very important. During the workshop it was emphasized that prevention of FMD is better than combating.

The proposals from the workshop will be taken further on the Animal Health Consultative Forums for implementation. 

Livestock breeders visit Zambia

Representatives of the livestock breeding sector visited Zambia at the end of June to assess the possibility of Namibia working closer together on agricultural level, with the focus on livestock improvement, with this country. This group consisted of Ryno van der Merwe, president of the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) and chairman of the Namibian Stud Breeders Association (NSBA),Mecki Schneider, president of the Namibian Brahman Breeders Society and vice-chair of the Livestock Producer Organization and Livestock Producer Forum of Namibia and Dr.Michael Bradfield, director of AgriBSA and BREEDPLAN co-coordinator for Africa.

The purpose of this one-dayvisit was to assess Zambia’s livestock production industry, with special focus on their government’s commitment to livestock improvement policies, their support and cooperation with this sector, to engage with the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) on matters of livestock improvement and mutual cooperation on the broader issues of agricultural production and to follow up the discussion held in Madagascar during theAnnual General Meeting of the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) SACAU meeting in May 2012. Furthermore to assess the stud industry situation in Zambia with possible closer cooperation with the Namibian Stud Breeders Association and Namibian Breed Societies.

The Zambian Government has identified livestock production as an important industry which has not received the necessary attention in the past. A new post for the Deputy Minister of Livestock has been established in the Ministry of Agriculture. The Zambian Government has sourced funding for the livestock sector through the World Bank to an amount of US$ 50 million for “livestock development and animal health projects”.  No other industry can uplift poverty as effective as agriculture because the income is directly earned by producers themselves – not like mines and tourism where the income is mostly shared by a small group and does not go directly to the pockets of the rural population. Zambia has 46% of all fresh water resources in the SADC region.

Agriculture is a priority sector in poverty reduction and for food security. Two-thirds of the people in rural areas rely on agriculture for a living.Their livestock sector is under-developed and has a very low productivity.  One of the key tools to improve livestock production lies in the application of technological advances.

During this visit a meeting was held with government officials under the chairmanship of their acting director of Livestock Development.  The group was also well received by a delegation of members of Zambian National Farmers Union (ZNFU) – a strong lobbying organisation for Zambian farmers. It has a powerful influence on policy matters as all producers and agribusiness is represented under this umbrella organisation.  Opportunities for cooperation and support were identified to stimulate an increase in livestock production.  The Zambian based Beef Association was established about 18 months and deals with all livestock production issues – a meeting with their chairperson was fruitful.  It is estimated that Zambia has about 3 to 3,3 million cattle. About 2 million of them are in their western province (bordering the Caprivi).   Deliberations were also held with members of the board of the Zambian Herd Book as well as with breeders of various breeds. Apart from cattle, there is also an impetus to improve sheep, goat and pig production.

Clinics in Omaheke region

The Ministry of Health in the Omaheke region has announced that the second round Polio vaccinations will be held from July 10 – 12. All children between the ages of 0 – 59 months must be vaccinated. Any enquiries can be addressed to Ms Kaune or Ms Kanguvi at Tel 062 577000, Fax 062 563489.

Small stock course

The following small stock course is offered:

Boer goats: 30 July – information day at NLA, Mariental. 31 July – 1 August – Jnr and Snr course at Mariental.

For further information and registration contact Carina Vermeulen at Tel 061 252994 (only mornings) or send a mail to btgn@mweb.com.na.

FA and other news

Epukiro FA is holding a meeting on July 11 at 14:00 at Farm Tokat of Nico en Marthie Steenkamp. A lecture about maize production on the farm will be held and a sightseeing tour will be done. The day will be concluded with a braai. Please RSVP on or before July 7 at Marthie, Tel 062 568207, martinic@iway.na or Cora, Tel 081 3010286, cj.jacobs@live.com.

Karibib FA is holding a meeting on July 14 at 16:00 at Farm Abbabis. For further details contact Mrs D Gladis, Tel 061 248480, helmuth@hemconamibia.com.

Witvlei FA is holding a big loose goods auction on Wednesday, July 18 at 10:00 at the farmer house at Witvlei. Members of the adjacent Farmers Associations are invited as guest sellers to sell their auction items. The income of these sales are for their own pocket. Goods which are so far offered to be auctioned vary between lorries to cutlery. Refreshments and lunch will be offered for sale. Interested parties can contact Monica at 081 2790301, gmbouwer@iway.na.

The Scientific Society of Namibia will hold a lecture about “Digging Deeper: from modern exploration to sustainable groundwater management in Northern Namibia”. This follows after airborne geophysical measurements indicated the existence of a deep seated fresh water aquifer underneath the currently used groundwater bodies in northern Namibia. The lecture is presented by Mr Martin Quinger, project manager of DWA/BGR (BundesanstaltfürGeowissenschaften und Rohstoffe) on July 18 at 19:00 at the Namibia Scientific Society, 110 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. For further details contact WaltraudFritzsche, Tel 061 225372, nwg@iway.na.

Kalkfeld FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on July 24 at 08:00 at Farm Hamburg of Fam P Beckers. Guest speaker is Mr Derek Wright who will talk about the pension fund. In the afternoon a farm sightseeing will be held. Please register before July 17 with FamBeckers, Tel 067 290144.

An agronomic information day will be hosted by Cedar Marketing on August 2 at 14:00 at the Grootfontein Show hall. Speakers are Mr Willem Eigenhuis, regional agricultural expert of FarmsecureAgriscience SA who will talk about new perspectives over the management of data and soil chemistry for increased efficiency in agronomy in the Namibian context. Mr Piet Brink, regional agricultural expert of Kynoch will talk about the importance of the use of proper formulated products in a market environment which is threatened by products of suspicious origin en also give information about the latest development of micro minerals and leaf nutrition. More information can be obtained from Mr Johan Louw, Tel 081 1248665. The information day will end at 17:00 and thereafter at 19:00 the GrootfonteinAgri College will hold a lecture under the theme „The secrets of a master detective“. This lecture will be held  by former brigadier Piet Byleveld who was a member of the SA Police force for 38 years. Mr Byleveld is seen as one of the best detectives of our time and also got a special reward as one of the world’s three best detectives. The costs for this lecture are N$150 per person which includes the dinner. For enquiries and to register please contact Zea Coetzee, Tel 081 1487720 or Gerhard Engelbrecht, Tel 081 1270025.

Verre Suide FA is hosting its annual winter school on August 2 at Warmbad. All farmers and interested parties are welcome. The theme is „Optimal meat / cattle production in the south of Nambiia“. The talks include sheep, cattle and goats and judging of the different breeds in the vicinity will take place. Costs are N$250 per person which include all meals. The day is concluded with a steak braai and music. Further details and enquiries about stands can be addressed to Gunther von Schauroth, Tel 063 683493, gavonschauroth@iway.na.

Summerdown FA is holding a John Deere day and judging of slaughtering oxen on the hoove on August 8. For further details contact Henriette le Grange, Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.

Klein Nossob FA is hosting its annual farmers‘ day on August 9 & 10. All farmers in the vicinity and interested parties are invited to this day and farmers can exhibit their animals (large stock, small stock, horses, etc). This is not only for registered breeders but for everybody who has a passion for his/her breed. Further details and entry forms are available from Jerrie Kotze, Tel 081 3012215, jbkotze@mweb.com.na or Danie Visser, Tel 081 2769152, visserd@mweb.com.na

The GTO (Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi) RAU is hosting a grazing day on August 14 at 07:30 at the Kalkfontein Lodge. The day will be hosted by Riaan Dames and at 12:40 a farm sightseeing will be held at Farm Gaikos. Costs are N$50 for NAU members and N$100 for non-members. Please register before July 14 with Mr Willem Enslin, Tel 081 2305078.

The annual Stampriet Show will be held from September 5 – 7 at Stampriet and there will be again Dorpers, Goats, Kalahari Reds, Damaras, van Rooy’s and black head Persies on show. There will also be a weaner, cattle, bull, Dorper Top ram and interrace ram auction. Further details will be given nearer to the time or can be obtained from Mr Izak Meyer, Tel 0-63 260230, 081 2121177, ijmeyer@iway.na. To book a stand, please contact Dina Kotze at Tel 9\063 260169, 081 3907044, tobie@mweb.com.na.

Summerdown FA is hosting a loose goods fund raising auction on September 15. Farmers who would like to enter their goods, must please contact Henriette le Grange at Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.