Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News: 28 March 2014

 

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: THE LONGER YOU LIVE IN THE PAST, THE LESS FUTURE YOU HAVE TO ENJOY

In today’s newsletter:

·         Implementation of Rangeland Strategy gains momentum

·         SWAKARA auction

·         FA and other news

Implementation of Rangeland Strategy gains momentum

The implementation of the National Rangeland Policy and Strategy gained momentum with its inclusion as an activity in the Annual Sectoral Execution Plan of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry. During the workshop which recently was held by the Ministry, the NAU, who is the secretariat for the National Rangeland and Bush Encroachment Forum, ensured that the implementation of the Strategy is taken into this program as an activity.

Furthermore other activities in the program are assistance to commercial farmers for de-bushing and the development of a Strategy for de-bushing of communal areas.

The NAU In the meantime has submitted a draft proposal to the European Union for financing under the banner of climate change which directly has an effect on activities of de-bushing and the implementation of the National Rangeland Strategy. The objective is to create an Implementing Unit which will be responsible to execute these activities under the supervision of the National Rangeland and Bush Encroachment Forum.

In the meantime the German Aid Group, the GIZ, indicated that they are interested to become part of this process. The GIZ’s activities are mainly focused on the economic use of bio mass in which ever form and will be supplementary to the activities as contained in the action plans of the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Ear tags available again

Please note that the standard ear tags are available again. Orders can now be placed at your agents again.

The amount of ear tags which were sold during the first quarter of this year exceeded the amount of last year and thus the stock was taken up for 6 working days. The Meat Board is busy with supply arrangements in order to prevent such a situation.

Ear tags can also be bought directly at the Ear Tag office of the Meat Board. Small orders (up to 200 ear tags) are immediately processed. Bigger orders might take one or two days to be processed. The office can be contacted at Tel 061 275863, Eartags@nammic.com.na.

SWAKARA auction

The next SWAKARA auction will be held on April 10, 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark and Agra has sent 68 500 SWAKARA pelts to Copenhagen last week. Representatives from Agra, the SWAKARA Board, Mr Paul Steyn the winner of the Agra/Copenhagen Pelts Quality award as well as the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Trade & Industry and Agriculture, Water & Forestry will attend the auction.

SWAKARA also attended the biggest and most important pelts show in the world, the Hong Kong International Pelts Show from February 25 – 28, 2014 and were also represented at the Milan International Pelts Show from March 4 – 7, 2014.

FA and other news

John Deere Financial, Standard Bank and Hoffmann’s are hosting a Mini Agronomic Day on April 1 at 09:00 at the Summerdown FA hall. Gert Coetzer will talk about conservation farming and at 15:30 a sightseeing of the grounds will take place. The day is concluded with a dinner. For further details contact Herman Coetzee, Tel 061 2942451, Herman.Coetzee@standardbank.com.na or Gerhard Mukuahima, Tel 061 2942684, Gerhard.Mukuahima@standardbank.com.na.

Dr Michael Bradfield is offering a Breedplan course on April 2 at 14:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. All breeders of different races are welcome and there is a limited amount of 50 breeders who can attend. The theme of the course is “A LIVE DIAGNOSTIC ON SUBMITTED SAMPLE ANIMALS. Practical demonstrations will be given and please register before March 27 at simnamibia@gmail.com.

Gert Coetzer a consultant in Sustainable Conservation Farming in cooperation with the APA is hosting a farmers day on April 2 at 14:00 at Farm Venus of Klaas Malan. Registration is N%50 per person and further details can be obtained from Gerhard Engelbrecht, Tel 081 1270025. Please register with willemiens@iway.na.

A Bonsmara judging day will be held on April 2 at 08:00 at Farm Omantumba, 25km north of Hochfeld. The course will look at practical selection: phase D bulls, practical selection: heifers and course attendants will be tested and thereafter given certificates. Please register before March 25 with omantumba@iway.na. For any further enquiries contact Streicher Coetzee, Tel 081 1298387, Hella Coetzee, Tel 081 2036484 or Kiep Lepen, Tel 081 1240648.

Okahandja FA is holding a member meeting on April 2 at 14:00 at Farm Omongongua of Gabi and Helmuth Fischer. The day will be concluded with a braai. For further details contact Rudi Scheidt, Tel 081 2086961, okahandjabv@gmail.com.

Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on April 8 at 14:00 at the Osire FA hall. Guest speakers are Adv Rukoro of Meatco and Johann Groenewald of Dorsland Boom Lusern Namibia. The day is concluded with a Bring and Braai. For further details contact Anka Visher, Tel 067 306208, hpvisher@iway.na.

Blumfelde FA is holding a member meeting on April 9 at 09:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is Esta Posma who will talk about farming tax and VAT. For further details contact Magret Binneman, Tel 062 581099, binneman@iway.na.

Leonardville FA is holding a member meeting on April 9 at 16:00 at the FA hall. Guest speakers are Johny of Johny’s Auto Electric and representatives from Standard Bank Gobabis, Sanlam, the Social Security Commission and the Roads Authority. For further details contact Ellen Burger, Tel 062 581010, lbv@iway.na.

The member meeting of the Agronomic Producers Association and the Master Agronomist Day will be held on April 10 at Farm Ghaub of Mr Andre Compion in the Grootfontein vicinity. The member meeting will start at 08:30 and the Master Agronomist Day at 12:00. For further details contact Marianne Pretorius, Tel 061 237838, joc@agrinamibia.com.na.

Dordabis FA is holding a member meeting on April 10 at 13:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Greg Christelis who will talk about border crossing underground water. For further details contact Christine Romeis, Tel 061 231230, cwromeis@iway.na.

A Pioneer Maize Farmers Day is held on April 10 at 08:30 at Farm Baltimore of Mr Raymond van Eeden and is hosted by Aqualand. Speakers are Mr Dirk Prinsloo of Aqualand and Messrs Johan Kock and Philip Fourie of Pioneer and at 08:45 a farm sightseeing will be held. Please register before April 7 with Dirk, Tel 081 2434077, dirk@aqualand.com.na.

The member meeting of the Poultry Producers Association is held on April 16 at 08:30 at the NAU board room, 114 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. Please register before April 2 with Marianne Pretorius, Tel 061 237838, joc@agrinamibia.com.na.

A Sakata Vegetable Farmers Day is held on April 24 at 08:30 at Farm Windpoort of Mr Hannes Grobbelaar and hosted by Aqualand. Speakers are Mr Erwin Schimper of Aqualand and Christa Maritz and Jan van der Merwe of Sakata. At 08:45 a farm sightseeing will be held. Please register before April 18 with Dirk, Tel 081 2434077, dirk@aqualand.com.na.

Keinab FA is hosting a shooting day on April 26 at 07:00 at the FA hall. There are 5 categories which can be entered at Competition 1, namely hunting rifle, hand weapon, .22 rifle, airgun and kettie and Competition 2 is clay pigeon shooting. Registration fees for Competition 1 are N$200 and enquiries can be addressed to F Jordaan, Tel 063 683487, frikjordaan@yahoo.com, J van Niekerk, Tel 063 683485, jacovn@afol.com.na of K Visser, Tel 063 683491, sdoorn@afol.com.na.

The Outjo Game Festival and game auction will be held on May 2 & 3 at the Sophienhof Lodge. On May 2 the program starts at 08:00 and at 19:00 Ray Dylan performs and at 21:00 die Broers. On May 3 the program starts at 07:00 with a target shooting competition and prizes worth N$7 000 can be won. At 10:00 a rodeo will be held and at 19:00 Theuns Jordaan will perform and at 21:00 again die Broers. Registration for each day will be N$100 per adults and N$50 for children. A weekend ticket, thus for both days, will be N$180 for adults and N$80 for children. For further details contact Fanie Heimstädt, Tel 081 2053909 or Albie van Niekerk, Tel 081 2413710. The game auction is held on May 3 at 14:00 and further details can be obtained from Heidi, Tel 081 1281606 or Beate, Tel 081 1248230.

Exchange Rate NAD (22-28 March 2014)
	March	EURO	USD	POUND	PULA
Saturday	22	15.030	10.896	17.963	1.220
Sunday	23	15.030	10.896	17.963	1.220
Monday	24	14.978	10.864	17.912	1.218
Tuesday	25	14.842	10.771	17.787	1.211
Wednesday	26	14.745	10.696	17.711	1.208
Thursday	27	14.603	10.621	17.652	1.202
Friday	28	14.571	10.622	17.636	1.202
Saturday to Thursday:  17:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)

Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News: 28 February 2014

 

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: LIFE ALWAYS OFFERS A SECOND CHANCE. IT IS CALLED TOMORROW

In today’s newsletter

·         LPO and RPO met

·         Further steps against game- and stock theft

·         HIV and wellness pilot program for farmers and farm workers during auctions

·         Monitoring framework for farmers

·         FA and other news

LPO and RPO met

The Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) of Namibia under leadership of the chairperson, Mr Mecki Schneider this week held a meeting with its compeers, the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) of South Africa. The RPO was represented by its chairperson, Mr Lardus van Zyl and their Executive Manager, Mr Gerhard Schutte. The main objective of the meeting was to get more clarity about the proposed establishment of import restrictions to the RSA and the role and view of the RPO in this regard.

Besides the above, numerous matters of joint interest were discussed. It was agreed that –

1.    Better communication between the LPO and RPO on a more continuous basis be implemented

2.    Attempts will be strengthened for a more effective veterinary service in both countries as trade basis for international trade

3.    The veterinary status of all SADC countries be increased in order to ease trade

4.    It is strived for a free market system within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) without any trade limits imposed by the authorities

5.    Liaison with all role players in the value chain, including the authorities, will be improved to promote industry interest

6.    Joint production aims are increased to meet the demand for red meat

7.    To improve liaison between game and livestock and

8.    Room is left to accommodate the various countries unique production systems and marketing situations

The meeting was concluded with an informal barbeque.

Further steps against game- and stock theft

Management members of the NAU and NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunting Association) this week decided on further action steps against the increasing stock- and game theft in Namibia.

An analysis of the various Acts, these are the Nature Conservation Ordinance No 4 of 1975 as amended as well as the Stock Theft Act No 19 of 2004 indicate that penalties have already been adapted and that they are reasonable in most cases, but that these new penalties are not applied by the Courts.

In the case of stock theft there is only imprisonment without a choice of penalty. The minimum imprisonment is 2 years with a maximum of 30 years for a second offence. This maximum punishment however is currently reviewed as it has been declared unconstitutional in a test case in the High Court.

In the case of game theft there is a choice of penalty. In the case of protected game it is a maximum of N$4 000,00 or imprisonment of not more than 4 years and for huntable game it is a maximum of N$2 000,00 or 2 years imprisonment, which is most probably not enough to discourage game thieves. The trophy value of huntable game is in most cases much higher than these penalties.

It was decided to take the following action steps, namely –

·         awareness campaign by the office of the Prosecutor General for all prosecutors about the adapted penalties;

·         an appointment with the Ministry of Environment & Tourism for an increase of penalties for huntable game

·         an appointment with the Ministry of Justice for the finalisation of the Stock Theft Act

·         an awareness campaign amongst members of the NAU and NAPHA to assist the Police with taking declarations in order to make them complete so that they are not rejected in the Courts

·         a document which as been drafted by Mr Willem Enslin with regard to a strategy to combat game and stock theft which will be submitted to the Police.

A Legal Advisor has been appointed to draft a step-by-step manual for land owners with regard to their rights when they catch culprits which are caught red-handed.

HIV and wellness pilot program for farmers and farm workers during auctions

The sector Stakeholder Meeting for HIV and Wellness of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry has initiated a pilot testing program according to which all farmers and their workers can get free wellness testing during auctions. The pilot program is sponsored by the GIZ in cooperation with PharmAccess, who will then have a mobile clinic at the day of the auction. Testing will be done for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, BMI (Body Mass Index and HIV.

The first two opportunities earmarked for this, are the Agra auction at Rehoboth on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 and the Agra auction at Otjiwarongo on Thursday, March 6, 2014. During these auctions there will be a mobile clinic of Pharm Access at the relevant auction grounds from 09:00 in the morning until 16:00 in the afternoon. Farmers are requested to come themselves and bring as many workers and their families along as possible to have them tested free of charge.

The main objective of this pilot project is to test the potential approach of bringing HIV and Wellness services to the farmers and their farm workers efficiently. If this is successful, it can be extended to other auctions, farmer association days and agricultural shows.  

Monitoring framework for farmers

A group of experts which include rangeland specialists, economists, agricultural organisations and farmers this week attended a workshop in Windhoek for the development of a monitoring framework for farmers and their organisations. The objective of the framework will be to collect basic information with regard to rangeland, production, finances, labour, marketing and risks. This information can then be used by farmers as well as assisting organisations in the agricultural sector with the evaluation as well as planning of their farming activities.

The workshop was offered by the Farmers Support Programme (FSP) with the assistance of the GIZ. The workshop only focused on livestock and rangeland.

A few years ago the NAU developed a similar program, namely the AgriStat and introduced it to farmers. Unfortunately only few farmers have this program and there is a big deficiency in the market for basic information for evaluation and planning purposes. There are study groups in the commercial agricultural sector who have this information and who sometimes kindly make it available to the NAU. However, there is a lack of such information for especially emerging and resettled farmers and the objective of the development of such a program is to also include these farmers.

The first round was mainly about the identification of critical factors which should be measured. The development of a mechanism to measure this information will most probably discussed in depth at the next meeting.

2013 Young Farmer of the Year farmers’ day

The Farmer’s Day of the 2013 Young Farmer of the Year takes place on 12 March on the Farm Silversand, 90km east of Windhoek of Mr en Mrs Marco and Regine Seefeldt. The programme begins at 08:00 and a sightseeing tour on the farm begins at 09:00.  A programme for the women as well as a mini Show will also take place.  Registration is N$170 for adults and N$70 for children 6 – 16 years.  All meals included.  Interest persons must RSVP before 28 February 2014 at Sylvia Henke, Tel 081 2317823, sylviaheld@hotmail.com,  Carola Raad, Tel 081 3680962 or Marco & Regine Seefeldt, Tel 081 2965802, seefeldt@iway.na. Click here for more information

Meat production school

The bi-annual NSV Meat Production School will be held on March 19 & 20 at the Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek. The program starts on March 19 at 08:00 with registration and speakers are inter alia Prof Johann Willemse, Dr Jasper Coetzee, Dr Dietmar Holm, Adri Nell & Gerrie Scholz, Norbert Dörgeloh, Derrick Wright, Dr Munro Marx, Prof Frikkie Neser, Prof Louw Hoffmann, Dr Niel van Zyl, Dr Michael Bradfield, Leon Lubbe,  Pieter Hugo, Judith Isele en Mecki Schneider and the program is opened by Mr Ryno van der Merwe. On March 20 from 14:00 – 16:00 a program for the women is offered. The costs for the full program are N$1 100, which includes course material, lunches, coffee and dinner. Registration for one day only is N$550 and for the women’s program N$150 whereby tea and cake is included. For further details contact Jacques Els, Tel 081 1281032, jacque@iway.na. Kliek hier vir Registrasie form

Meatco Inter Farmers Association Braai competition

The 34th Inter Farmer Association Braai competition is offered this year by last year’s winner, Uhlenhorst Farmers Association at the well known Bitterwasser Lodge on March 28 & 29. Besides the 19 Farmers Association and 20 social teams who will compete for this title, there will be, for the first time this year, also a Junior braai competition for respectively primary and high school children. Entries are limited to a certain amount and close on March 15.

Besides the usual exhibitors and food stalls, there will be also various entertainments such as airgun shooting, where an airgun can be won, jumping castles and much more. To support the costs for the 2 days there will also be a silent auction where various items such as a Sussex bull (for farmers) hunting packets and many more are offered.

The gates open for the public on Friday, March 28 at 12:00 and in the evening will be the opening, welcome and introduction of the braai teams during the Meatco reception. On Saturday, March 29 it is the braai day with all other activities. The day is concluded with the prize giving, a steak braai and dance with Andre Havenga. For further details contact Hoekus van Niekerk   063 – 265336   of   081 128 3511, Annalie v d Merwe  063- 265608 of  081 232 0707, Willie Krugel 063- 265311 of 081 249 2509.

FA and other news

Helmeringhausen FA will hold a meeting on March 5 at 10:00 at the FA centre. For further details contact Timm Miller, Tel 081 2079974, miller@mtcmobile.com.na.

The SA Boerperd breeders are hosting an open and information day on March 8 at 08:00 at Farm Keizen, 36km north of Steinhausen. A Namibian Club will be formed and for further information and to register before March 5, please contact Loïse Swanepoel, Tel 081 1443952, hochfeldcattle@gmail.com or Henriëtte le Grange, Tel 081 1279170, hh@iway.na.

Amos Namibia / Channel 7 will hold a thanks giving service for the rain on March 9 at 09:30 at Farm Excelsior No 286 of Mr Johan Deysel in the Seeis vicinity. Owners and workers should please bring along their own chairs. For further details contact Mr Johan Deysel, Tel 081 1244466.

Hoërand FA is holding a member meeting on March 11 at 15:00 at the FA hall at Farm Stubbenkamer, Maltahöhe district. Guest speaker is Mr Danie de Lange from Feedmaster and a new management will be elected. Thus all members are requested to attend the meeting. The day is concluded with a bring and braai and further details can be obtained from Mr Bartie Burger, Tel 081 3792626, antoiburger@gmail.com.

Blumfelde FA is hosting a women’s day on March 12 at 09:00 at the FA hall. Marsha Botha will offer a make up course, a brow forming and weight loss program. Trish and Frikkie Engelbrecht will hold a “True Colour” talk. The costs are N$60 per person. There will also be various stands where clothing, make up, etc can be bought. For further details contact Margret Binneman, Tel 081 4440334 or Maria de Waal, Tel 062 581201.

A talk about trans boundary cross-border underground water is being held in English by Mr Greg Christelis of the Geo Hydro Association on March 13 at 19:30 at the Scientific Society, 110 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. For further details contact Waltraud Fritzsche, Tel 061 225372, nwg@iway.na.

Karibib FA is holding a meeting on March 15 at 17:00 at Farm Kaltenhausen. Further details from Mrs Gladis, Tel 064 550939, 081 1284851, Doris.Gladis@elvey.co.za.

Kaiserstreet FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on March 15 at 08:00 at the Meatco feeding lot on the way to Okahandja. The costs are N$100 per person and please register before March 7 with Gerda van der Westhuizen, Tel 061 253016, 081 1279021, kaiserstraatfarmersassociation@gmail.com.

Steinhausen FA is holding a member meeting on March 19 at 15:00 at the FA hall at Farm Steinhausen. For further details contact Mayke Rumpf, Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a member meeting on March 19 at 10:00 at Farm Nomtsas of Mr & Mrs Albert Voigts-von Schütz. Mr Axel Rothauge of AgriConsult Namibia will give lectures and practical in-field demonstrations about rangeland use and evaluation. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, ottojagd@iway.na.

Epukiro FA is holding their annual member meeting on March 26 at 15:00 at Farm Omaramba of Gert & Johanna Koekemoer. Messrs Heiner Böhme and Abrie van Wyk from Meatco will inter alia be speakers. For further details contact Johanna, Tel 062 568880.

Exchange Rate NAD (22-28 February 2014)
	February	EURO	USD	POUND	PULA
Saturday	22	15.011	10.927	18.156	1.216
Sunday	23	15.011	10.927	18.156	1.216
Monday	24	14.856	10.811	17.988	1.208
Tuesday	25	14.734	10.718	17.893	1.204
Wednesday	26	14.828	10.847	18.058	1.226
Thursday	27	14.710	10.727	17.899	1.205
Friday	28	14.683	10.720	17.894	1.204
Saturday to Thursday:  17:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday:  06:38 UTC