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| Namibia Agriculture Union: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/ |
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: ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS FOR ONE
DAY YOU MAY LOOK BACK AND REALIZE THEY WERE BIG THINGS - Robert Brault
In today’s newsletter
·
Dairy industry
collapses
·
Small stock
farmers reflect about their industry
·
Minister
informed about drought situation
·
FA and other
news
Dairy industry collapses
During
an emergency meeting between the management of the Dairy Producers Association
and Namibia Dairies producers were informed that Namibia Dairies will cut the
milk delivery quote of dairy producers with 50% as from May 1, 2013. This
announcement will cause that the milk producers which are affiliated at the
Dairy Producers Association will stop milking at the end of April 2013.
It is
for some time already that the Dairy Producers Association discussed the
critical situation of this industry and also brings it under the attention of
the authorities. The primary problem is that the Namibian market is over
flooded with cheap imported milk, especially long-life milk. The Namibian
producers just cannot compete in terms of local standards which are set through
legislation with imported products which are not subject to these high
standards.
The
collapse of the industry has a big socio-economic influence on the economy of
Namibia. Besides the numerous employment opportunities which are lost in this
process, there will in future be no antipode which can serve for the control of
prices of imported milk.
The dairy industry was already established in 1963
in Namibia. In the eighties the industry experienced serious problems but a
lifebuoy of the then Government and the First National Development Corporation,
as development of Government, saved the industry which caused that it could
function independently for the past 30 years.
The
Chairperson of the Dairy Producers Association, Mr Kokkie Adriaanse expressed
his shock and disappointment that the industry has to collapse in such a way.
Currently there are 17 producers who are affiliated to the Dairy Producers
Association who have jointly about 2 000 cows in production which supply 750
000 liter milk to the local market. It is expected that the approximately 120 specialized employees who are employed on the farms for years already, will
loose their jobs.
The small stock producers held their annual meeting at
Keetmanshoop this year under the chairmanship of Mr Jan Adriaanse, the Regional
Representative of the Karasburg region. Mr Mecki Schneider, chairman of the
Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) gave an oversight of the activities of
this organisation and especially the challenges with which the livestock
producers were faced the past few months. This includes inter alia the
negotiations for the alleviation of the 40/90 days residency compliance as was
announced earlier this year by the Directorate Veterinary Services, the
activities of various forums on which the LPO serve and then more specifically
the matters concerning small stock producers.
The main point of the Agenda of the meeting and also
of the LPO is the question about bone-in export of mutton to Europe. Bone-in
export always was held as a carrot in front of sheep producers in order to
support local abattoirs, but up to now no progress was made with bone-in
exports. This question will now actively be addressed by the LPO.
The restriction of market access for sheep producers
is still a headache. Even though producers support the policy of value
addition, it still seems that value addition is taking place in South Africa
and that local producers do not get any advantage from it. The producers are
also of the opinion that possibilities should be investigated on how producers
get a bigger share from the consumer Rand. The promotion of Namibian mutton in
South Arica has also been mentioned as a priority for the sheep industry.
Minister informed about drought situation
The Livestock Producers Forum (LPF) comprising
commercial, communal and emerging farmers earlier this week took stock of the
looming drought which faces Namibia. At this stage it looks as if large amounts
of animals are sent to auctions which have a negative impact on auction prices.
It is especially in the cattle producing areas in which this tendency
increases. Due to a shortage of grazing in Namibia, the local buying market is
also limited. In the sheep producing areas there is still an expectation that it
might rain sufficiently during March and April even though animals are not
market ready at this stage which could worsen the situation if it does not rain
soon.
Against this background the LPF informed the Minister
of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr John Mutorwa that measures should be
taken in good time to open marketing channels to enable producers to get rid of
their animals which are not market ready. If it does not rain soon an urgent
appointment with the Minister will be requested in order to execute the request
of the producers.
Minister
Mutorwa, the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry has scheduled a
meeting with the LPF and his staff for March 7, 2013 to discuss the looming
drought situation.
FA and other news
Veldduin FA is holding a Game and Hunting day on February 23 at
08:00 at Farm Duinekraal of Mr SchalkNel. A venison potjiekos competition, a
veld and hunting knowledge race and a ladies program will be held and Mr
UysPrinsloo will talk about the Hunters and Game Conservancy Association. For
further details contact Mr SchalkNel, Tel 067 232321 or Mr Francois Wahl, Tel
081 6759068.
Aranos FA is holding a member meeting on February 27 at 16:00.
Guest speaker is Dr Thomas Tolmay, the Hardap Veterinary who will talk about vaccination
principles and group de-wormers. For further details contact Joleen Mans, Tel
081 228988, kierie@iway.na.
Gamsberg FA is holding a rain dance on March 2 at 18:30 at the FA
hall. Entrance is N$120 for members and N$160 for non-members. Please confirm
your attendance before February 15 with Stienie van Rooyen, stienie@tgi.na.
Karibib
FA is
holding a meeting on March 2 at 17:00 at the Tsaobis Nature Park. For further
details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, Doris.Gladis@elvey.co.za.
Hoërand
FA is
holding a member meeting on March 5 at 15:00 at the FA hall at Farm
Stubbenkamer. Guest speakers are Mr Johan Schroër of Bank Windhoek, Ms Nettie
Visser of Channel 7 and Dr Tom Tolmay of the Mariental Veterinary office. A new
management will be elected and members are requested to attend the meeting. For
further details contact Bartie Burger, Tel 081 3792626, 063 683360, antoiburger@gmail.com of MarykaTruter, Tel 081 2624146, hardegat@iway.na.
The Namibia
Environment & Wildlife Society is holding a lecture by Florian Weise
under the theme “Large Carnivores in central Namibia: Conflict, Management
& Ecology”. This lecture will be held on March 7 at 19:00 at the Scientific
Society, 112 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. For further details contact
WaltrautFritzsche of the Scientific Society, Tel 061 225372, nwg@iway.na.
Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting on March 13 at 10:00 at Farm
Kachauchab of Mr Christian Otto. Guest speakers are Mr Leonard Eins of Aqua
Services who talks about filter systems for farm use and Mrs von Wietersheim of
Solsquare who talks about solar. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto,
Tel 063 293512, 081 2269518, ottojagd@iway.na.
WestelikeKhomas FA is holding a meeting on March 13 at 15:00 at the
Harmonie hall. For further details contact Amanda Greeff, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na.
Steinhausen
FA is holding a member meeting on March 13 at 15:00 at the FA hall at farm
Steinhausen. Guest speaker is Dr Lichtenberg. For further details contact
MaykeRumpf, Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na.
Helmeringhausen
FA is holding a member meeting on March 13 at 10:00 at the FA hall. Further
details from Timm Miller, Tel 081 2079974, miller@mtcmobile.com.na.
Osire
Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on March 19 at 09:30 at the FA hall. Guest speakers
are Mr Bayorat who will talk about solar, H ViljoenMakelaars who will talk
about insurance for dreaded illnesses and Mr Kurt Kretzschmar. For further
details contact Mrs Dagmar Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, wilckens@iway.na.
The American Mustang taming and
special training champions, Mark and Miranda Lyon are offering horsemanship and Western horse riding
clinics from April 6 – 22. These clinics are offered at the Kooimasis
Ranch, Helmeringhausen. For further details contact Wulf, Tel 081 2628545 or
Tommy, juniorizko@hotmail.com. Information is also available on the website www.quarterhorsesnamibia.com and on Facebook www.facebook.com/Ranch.Kooimasis. Information / introduction days are also offered on
the following days: on Friday afternoon, March 29 at the Quiver Tree Forest
Rest Camp, Keetmanshoop. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Visser, Tel 063
683421. On Saturday afternoon, March 30 at Farm Kameelboom, Stampriet.
Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Garbers, Tel 063 272394. On Monday, April 1 at
Farm Hochfels, Windhoek. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Kiekebusch, Tel 061
232625.
The Meatco
Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on April 12 &
13 at the school grounds of the Elnatan School, Stampriet. Artists who will
entertain at the competition are the Sarel du ToitBoereorkes and Thys the
Bosveldklong. Registration closes on March 12 and up to now 10 FA’s have
entered already. A further 10 FA’s can still enter. The FA winning team wins an
Isuzu Bakkie and petrol for one year for this Bakkie. Further details will be
given in due course and can be obtained from Dina Kotze, ruzelle@iway.na.
The Young
Farmer farmers day will be held on May 15 & 16 at Farm Nabome, Aranos
of Hannes and JomarieVisagie. Further details will be given in due course and can
be obtained from HannesVisagie, Tel 081 1249902 or 063 275342, jwv@mweb.com.na.
|
WEEKLY
|
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|
Exchange Rate NAD (16-22 February 2013)
|
|||||
|
January
|
EURO
|
USD
|
POUND
|
PULA
|
|
|
Saturday
|
16
|
11.845
|
8.862
|
13.748
|
1.106
|
|
Sunday
|
17
|
11.830
|
8.851
|
13.734
|
1.105
|
|
Monday
|
18
|
11.881
|
8.898
|
13.762
|
1.110
|
|
Tuesday
|
19
|
11.881
|
8.898
|
13.762
|
1.110
|
|
Wednesday
|
20
|
11.862
|
8.886
|
13.594
|
1.109
|
|
Thursday
|
21
|
11.729
|
8.881
|
13.554
|
1.102
|
|
Friday
|
22
|
11.743
|
8.889
|
13.588
|
1.101
|
|
Saturday to Thursday: 17:00 UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time)
|
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|
Friday: 06:34 UTC
|
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