Agri Alert Namibia: July 2013

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Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News: 19 July 2013

Namibia Agriculture Union

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: THE HARDEST ARITHMETIC TO MASTER IS THAT WHICH ENABLES US TO COUNT OUR BLESSINGS – Eric Hoffer

In today’s newsletter

· Public consultation on support measures for the dairy industry

· Namibia Census of Agriculture

· FA and other news

Public consultation on support measures for the dairy industry

The dairy industry approached the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) for interim support measures to level the competition playing field against imported products from South Africa. As part of the process MTI organised a public consultation on 18 July 2013 where all role players could submit inputs towards a final decision by the Ministry.

The inputs of the Dairy Producers Association (DPA) were presented by Wallie Roux of the NAU in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. The consultation was also attended by Harald Marggraff of the NAU and a number of DPA members, some of which contributed to the discussions to explain the situation of the local dairy producers. The final decision of MTI is pending.

Namibia Census of Agriculture

The first user-producer workshop, to discuss the 2013/2014 Agricultural Census, was hosted by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) on 17 and 18 July at the Nampower Convention Centre. The workshop was well represented by all role players in the Agricultural Sector. The main objective of the workshop was to brainstorm the two questionnaires that will be used in the Census for the commercial and communal areas respectively.

The NAU was represented by Ms Rina Hough, who serves on the Census Technical Committee. Although the workshop was very fruitful, further consultations with the main stakeholders will be necessary to iron out all issues on the questionnaires in order to provide relevant useful data in the Agricultural Sector. The Agricultural Census is way overdue and quality, relevant and timely data is essential. Thus far it is indicated that the commercial agricultural sector will receive their questionnaires by mail. As usual, the NAU will assist the NSA in all possible ways to ensure maximum participation of its members.

Power interruptions in Omaheke region

NamPower has announced that there will be power interruptions from 09:00 – 16:00 on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 in the following areas: Otjinene, Stella, Lunkulu, Manina, Summerdown, Vombo, Dalmuta, Okambekere, Drimiopsis, Hippo, Kehoro, Epukiro, Pos 3, Stanley, Harnas en Hakom. For further information contact Mr R Zimmermann of NamPower at Tel 061 2052801 or 081 1249187.

FANMeat animal welfare training

The Meat Board, under the banner of the FANMeat scheme, is offering various trainings programs about animal welfare in 2013. The training will be done by Prof Louw Hoffmann of the University of Stellenbosch and take place on the following days: 29 July at the Neudamm Agricutlural College, Windhoek for transporters and auctioneers, 30 July at the Anandi Guesthouse, Mariental, 31 July at the Neudamm Agricultural College, Windhoek for producers and on 2 August at the Out of Africa Town Lodge and Blaauwberg Auction Pens, Otjiwarongo. The training will be from 09:00 – 16:00. It is important to attend such training as a lot of attention will be given to this aspect in future. For further information contact Mr Esegiel Serogwe, from the Meat Board at Tel 061 275871, chfanmeat@nammic.com.na.

FA and other news

Karibib FA is holding a meeting on July 20 at 16:00 at Farm Habis Noord of Dr Herbert Schneider. Guest speakers are Mr Gladis who will talk about farm safety and a person from Radio Electronics who will talk about farm radios. For further details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, doris.gladis@elvey.zo.ca.

The Simmentaler Breeders Association offers a cattle information day on July 20 at 08:00 at the farm of Dr Kaire Mbuende. Speakers are Mr Wylie Upi of AgriBank, Gerhard Mukuahima of Standard Bank, Frank Kangiatjivi of Feedmaster and Flaw Lawrence of the Simmentaler Breeders Association of South Africa. For further details contact Mr H Kruger, simnamibia@gmail.com.

Ongombe FA informed that the annual communal show will be held at the Windhoek Showgrounds from July 22 – 28, 2013. For further details contact Albert Tjihero, Tel 081 2331618.

The Dairy Producers Association is holding its member meeting and Dairy Provider award on July 22 at Xain Quaz Camp, Gobabis. The member meeting starts at 11:00 and the Dairy Provider day at 14:30. The dinner during which the Dairy Provider of the Year will be announced starts at 18:00. For further details contact Annatjie du Preez, Tel 061 237838, annatjie@agrinamibia.com.na.

Kalkfeld FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on July 23 at 08:00 at Farm Georg Ferdinanshöhe of Mr G Engelhard. Please register before July 15 with Louise Vermeulen, Tel 067 302172. For further details contact Mrs Friedensdorf, Tel 067 290009, kfriedensdorf@iway.na.

The Van Rooy Breeders Association is offering a junior and senior course on July 23 and 24 at 08:00 at the Namboer auction pens, Windhoek. Course leaders are Dr Louis Burger and Piet Coetzee. Costs are N$300 per person. For further details and to register, please contact Carina Vermeulen, Tel 061 252994 (mornings only), btgn@mweb.com.na or Piet Coetzee of Namboer, Tel 081 1242242.

The 2013 Dare to Care golf day will be held on Friday, August 2, 2013 at the Windhoek Country and Golf Club. The costs are N$3 000 for a team of 4 players and after the prize giving a spitbraai will be held. For further details contact Erika, Tel 061 237838, evg@agrinamibia.com.na.

Osire-Waterberg FA is hosting a farmers day on August 6 at 09:00 at Farm Burgkeller. Speakers are Mr Visher, Johan le Riche, Erwin Schimper and Dirk Prinsloo from Aqualand and Alta Kotze is giving a demonstration on how to prune roses. Please register before July 30 with Anka Visher, Tel 067 306208, 081 2577229, hpvisher@iway.na.

Grunau FA is hosting the Karasburg Winter School on August 14 at 07:00. Speakers are the Governor of the Karas Region, Mr Bernardus Swartbooi, the president of the NAU, Mr Derek Wright, Mr Louis Potgieter, Mr Koos Barnard, Mr Dawid Botha and Mr Jan Adriaanse. Costs are N$100 per person per day and the day is concluded with a Steak braai and dance which also costs N$100 per person. During the women’s program Alta is giving a demonstration about paintings on wood and furniture. For further details contact Dolf de Wet, Tel 063-262061 or Jannie de Villiers, Tel 063-262067, jandev@iway.na.

Aroab FA is hosting the Keetmanshoop Winter School on August 13 & 14. The program starts at 08:00 on August 13 and the theme is “Practical cattle farming which functions”. Speakers are Dirk Uys, Piet Karsten, Francis Visagie, Dr Willie Harris, Klaas Foulcher, Louis Potgieter, Dr Jasper Coeetzee, Jacques Oosthuizen en Mr Derek wright. An interesting women’s program is also offered. The day is concluded with a dinner. For further details contact Pieter van Schalkwyk, Tel 081 1248448. People who need accommodation, can contact Helena van Schalkwyk, Tel 081 4888505.

The Windhoek West congregation is holding a breakfast on Friday, August 16, 2013. It will be held from 08:00 – 09:00 in the court yard of the NG Church Windhoek West, c/o Goshawk & Sunbird Str, Hochlandpark, Windhoek. The aim is that we as city dweller (congregation) just want to communicate and that we take note of the difficult year in which farmers currently are and would like to support and cheer them up. The breakfast is free of charge but farmers have to register to enable to determine the number of attendants. Ds Schalk Pienaar will give a short encouraging talk during the breakfast. Please register with Sandra Nel, Tel 061 226834, Fax 061 223861, admin@gwes.com.

SWAKARA is offering a SWAKARA farmers tour to the next pelts auction in Copenhagen in September 2013. The departure date is September 3 and the auction is held on September 8. Return back to Namibia is on September 9. Interested parties must please register before June 15 and a reservation fee of N$5 000 is payable. The total costs for the tour will be approximately N$20 000 which does not include pocket money. For further details and to register contact Jenny Korner, Tel 061 237750, Fax 061 231990, jennyk@agra.com.na

The Meat Master Sheep Breeders are offering a junior course on September 3 & 4 at Signalberg, Grunau. The course starts on September 3 at 09:00 and ends on September 4 at 13:00. The course is offered by the well known South African Meatmaster Stud Breeders Clynton Collett, Danie Visser and Mario du Preez. Please register before August 27 at Jannie de Villiers, Tel 063 262067, 081 3154745, jandev@iway.na.

Kaiserstreet FA is hosting its annual Old Mutual / Kaiserstreet FA bowling day on September 6 at 11:00 at the Eros Bowling Club. Costs for a team of 4 players are N$600 which includes a Steak braai which is held after prize giving. Guests are welcome and have to pay N$150 entrance fee. Please register before June 28 with Lukas Kotze, Lkotze@fnbnamibia.com.na or Gerda van der Westhuizen, kaiserstraatfarmersassociation@gmail.com.

Leonardville FA is hosting a farmers’ day on September 7 at the FA hall at Leonardville. Guest speakers are Mr Derek Wright, the president of the NAU and Dr Tolmay of Veterinary Services. Various stands, target shooting and children entertainment is offered. Rugby fans will be able to watch Rugby on big screens. For further details contact Gustav Holz, Tel 063 273336 or Ellen Burger, Tel 062 581010, lbv@iway.na.

The 2013 Amos prayer conference will be held from September 27 – 29 at the Rock Lodge, Okahandja. The theme is “What has sanctification to do with my farm?” Speaker is Mr Gideon Jacobs of the Kasizabantu Mission Station in Virginia, Free State. Farmers can take up to two farm workers along as there is a similar conference with the same theme for them. There is a limited number of accommodation and day visitors are also welcome. For further details contact Suna Brisley, Tel 061 253182, 081 1488993, adminnamibia@amosafrica.net

The 2014 Meatco Braai competition will be held on March 28 & 29, 2014 at the Bitterwasser Lodge, 20km south of Uhlenhorst. For further information contact Willie Krugel, Tel 063 265311 or Hoekus van Niekerk, Tel 063 265336.

WEEKLY
Exchange Rate NAD (13-18 July 2013)

	*July*	*EURO*	*USD*	*POUND*	*PULA*
Saturday	13	13.045	9.982	15.075	1.154
Sunday	14	13.043	9.981	15.073	1.154
Monday	15	12.915	9.905	14.941	1.153
Tuesday	16	12.981	9.878	14.935	1.157
Wednesday	17	12.891	9.846	14.946	1.152
Thursday	18	12.990	9.932	15.090	1.160
Friday	19	12.970	9.898	15.090	1.154

Saturday to Thursday: 16:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday: 09:49 UTC

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News: 5 July 2013

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: EXPERIENCE TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO, CONFIDENCE ALLOWS YOU TO DO IT – Stan Smith

In today’s newsletter

· Value addition study concluded

· Vision for the meat industry

· Small Stock Marketing Scheme discussed in Parliament

· FA and other news

Value addition study concluded

The consultants presented the Value Addition Study to the Implementing and Monitoring Committee on July 2, 2013. This opportunity was attended by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Ministry of Finance, the producer’s organisations and the Abattoir Association.

The conclusion of this study is that the value chain with regard to the meat industry is more complicated than those of for instance the mining. The value chain of the meat industry has been re-defined and for the first time includes all sides of the value chain based on production, processing and marketing and also that all role players in the value chain must benefit.

The consultants also indicated the stage of transformation which the meat products have to undergo in a chart which clearly indicates to which stage a meat product can be changed (ie the 7th stage of transformation is to salami, sausage, etc).

The study was made about cattle, sheep, vetstert sheep, goats and hides and skins. Some of the problems which were identified are the fragmentation within the value chain (which is a global problem and not only in Namibia), decrease in production and the seasonality of production. At the processing part the problem is that there is no tax exemption and incentives.

The consultants still have to add a few proposals and the study should be available to Government in about a month to formulate a better Value Addition Policy and Strategy.

This is a long awaited document in which the dilemma of the small stock industry is explained. The LPO will make use of this document to identify further actions.

Vision for the meat industry

A workshop to finalise the Vision of the Meat Industry was held on Thursday, July 4, 2013. This Vision originated from producers and abattoirs and was due to the fragmentation within the meat industry and is already ongoing for more than a year. Thus a Vision for the joint industry was drafted to prevent that the meat industry collapses completely.

The Meat Board started to draft the Vision and on Thursday all role players, including Government (Veterinary, Planning, Trade & Industry, etc) were present to take joint ownership of this vision.

In this Vision various aspects are addressed and they are shortly: animal health, production, value addition, marketing and trade and industry consolidation. Resulting from this there are actions plans to which each role player has a responsibility to attend to.

Small Stock Marketing Scheme discussed in Parliament

During a debate about the fate of sheep farmers following a motion by DTA-president, Mr Katuutire Kaura which was brought to the National Assembly, the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr John Mutorwa indicated that the Minister of Trade and Industry will make an announcement soon about the short term relief measures for small stock producers during the drought situation.

The Minister acknowledged that all involved parties, the producers, abattoirs and the regulators (Government) are not satisfied with the situation as their interests are variable. Government wants to see employment creation, skills development and transfer of knowledge and strives that the industry must contribute towards industrialisation and value addition; ensure good relations between all interest parties and ensure a policy and legal environment for long term growth and competitiveness in the small stock industry.

The producers strive towards maximum financial advantage from their animals. At various consultative meetings the producers confirmed their support to Government’s objectives. Abattoirs want to make highest profits from their investments and operations, but just like the producers, they support Government’s objectives. The Minister also mentioned that some abattoirs have South African and Namibian shareholding. Thus value addition is done on the South African side and this is unacceptable as policy and in principle.

First Aid Course

The Johanniter Hilfswerk of Namibia is offering a level A and refresher First Aid course as well as First Aid training days in Namibia. They are prepared to train FA’s, guest farms, etc. For further details contact Mrs Sigi Heimstädt, Tel 062 561663, exito@iway.na.

FA and other news

Windhoek FA is holding a meeting on July 11 at 08:00 at Farm Finkenstein of the Finke family. The day is concluded with a braai. For further details and to confirm your attendance, contact Mrs Gudrun Middendorff, Tel 081 2403635, gudrunm@iway.na.

Keetmanshoop RAU is holding a meeting on July 11 at 08:00 at Farmers Insurance Brokers, Keetmanshoop. For further details contact Anne-Marie van der Westhuizen, Tel 063 223343, 081 2600606.

Aroab FA is hosting farmer sport days on July 12 & 13. On July 12 the program starts at 08:00 with a horse endurance ride of 40km, at 14:00 a mountain bike ride over also 40km is offered and a land walk of 15km. On July 13 various sports such as horse gymkhana, calf riding and many more are offered. The day is concluded with a dance with Herman Stadler. For further details contact Pieter van Schalkwyk, Tel 081 1248448 or Johan Minnaar, Tel 063 280554.

A Simmentaler judging course is held from July 16 – 18 at the farms of Messrs Chris de Jager, H Giess and Bertus Walters in the Gobabis vicinity. The program starts on July 16 at 08:00 and is offered by Messrs Willie Grobler and Flaf Lawrence. Costs are N$350 per person and to register please contact Mr H Kruger before July 1 at simnamibia@gmail.cm. For further details contact Mr Willie Grobler, Tel 081 1221227 or Bertus Walters, Tel 081 1270300. To get a copy of the entry forms please click here:

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