News

1. Short term recommendations include the provision of strategic water points which could influence the spreading of the elephant groups in a certain degree, the use of repellents such as chili, guarding of water holes and more.
2. Alternative options include the translocation of whole troops live elephants, which, however is a very expensive transaction and financially not really possible.
3. Adaption of management methods such as for instance mobile kraal systems could be considered and has been implemented in other countries such as Kenya. At the same time such management methods are complimentary to diversification of farming practices.
4. Another possibility is the large scale harvest of elephants for which accurate elephant numbers are critically. At the same time Namibia is part of the CITES agreement and these two facts hamper the decision of government to interfere with the population number of the elephants. Such an option is thus in the near future not a realistic expectation.

The long term aims however are to shift back the ownership of elephants to owners of both the communal as well as commercial land. As elephants are occupying large areas, co-management between the state and the relevant land owners is necessary to bring about effective management. For further information the NAU website can be visited at www.agrinamibia.com.na.

Master Agronomist judging for 2010
This year the judging of the Master Agronomist 2010 took place in the Grootfontein vicinity from February 22 – 24, 2010. Members of three Farmers Associations, namely Abenab, Grootfontein and Rietfontein had entered. This was one of the toughest competitions as the candidates are progressive farmers and after judging the fine differences had to be looked at in order to appoint the Master Agronomist. Thus it is our privilege to announce the Master Agronomist for 2010, namely Mr Kasper Günzel and his wife Steffi of Farm Ludendorf. Congratulations! We would like to inform members that the Master Agronomy Day (together with the Agronomic Producers Association member meeting) will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2010 on the farm of Mr Günzel and that it will really be worth while to attend this day.

One of the observations made was the fact that there is great enthusiasm amongst these candidates. They all are busy looking at new or other possibilities how to use their land optimally in order to get maximum income. Not only this, but they are also looking to switch to biological farming in order to preserve the land and use it sustainably so that the descendants can continue farming. A further observation is that communication amongst producers is excellent with regard to sharing knowledge, experience and assistance. There is a good spirit of cooperation!

Cold winter: injection for pelts industry
The next pelts auction is scheduled for April 13, 2010. Just less than 80 000 pelts were received and with the gray rejected pelts which will stay here, about 75 000 pelts will be offered for sale. Of this amount about 5 500 are white pelts, a few hundred brown and the remainder black pelts. The length of the hair of the assortment seems to be shorter than of those who were auctioned in September 2009, mainly due to the dry early summer but altogether the quality is not so good like those offered in September 2009.

The market for pelts in general is very positive. Mink auctions which were held in December 2009 have shown an average increase of 36% against the September 2009 auction and the February 2010 auction a 15% increase against the December 2009 auction. On both auctions all the pelts which were offered (1.3 million in December and 4 million in February) were sold. “Blue Fox” which was difficult to sell during the last few auctions because of oversupply now started to sell again with a 30% increase on the February 2010 auction against December 2009 which is also a sign that the demand for pelts is positive in general.

Courses offered by Windhoek Extension office
The following after hours' courses are offered at the Windhoek Extension office (c/o Luderitz and Fidel Castro Str):
Financial options for farmers with Standard Bank on March 11 and is offered by Mr Gerhard Mukuahima of Standard Bank
The establishment of study group with the farming community – its advantages, disadvantages and functions on March 25 and is offered by Mr Norbert Neumann
The courses start at 17:20 and it is compulsory to register (with Nadi, Tel 061 2044112) as there are only 45 seats available.

Farmers’ ladder to success
Agra Professional Services will present the following lectures to farmers:

4 March: Introduction to farming finances by Mr Günther Roeber
11 March: Veld quality and lick supplementation in the rainy season by Dr Axel Rothauge

The lectures will be held at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring from 15:00 – 18:00. Registration fee is N$100 per person which includes light refreshments. For enquiries or bookings contact Ms Marietta Grobler, Tel 061 2909208, advice@agra.com.na. Further lectures such as inter alia Basic Immunology and vaccines, Cash flow planning, etc will be offered and the dates will be announced in due course

Launch of North Western (NW) Elephant Report
Following a visit by to the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah on February 3, 2010 by the Joint Presidency Committee, it was decided to launch the Rowan Martin report. The report which was finalised in November 2009 contains various management options for the NW elephant population. The date for the launch is Friday, March 5, 2010 and further details will be announced in due course.

Tour to Brazil for farmers and interested parties
A tour to Brazil for farmers and interested parties is planned for October 14 – November 3, 2010. Facultative participation at the World Brahman Congress in Uberaba Minas Gerais is also possible. The plan for the tour is as follows:  Windhoek - Johannesburg - São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro – Uberaba – (Optional historic towns in Minas Gerais ) - Pantanal (morasses in Mato Grosso) – Bonito -  Iguaçu Valle –Bird Park – Itaipu hydroelectric – São Paulo and back. The tours will be led by English-, German- and Afrikaans speaking guides. For further information contact Gabi Fischer, Tel 062 502993, nazimbo@mweb.com.na 

FA and other news
Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting on March 10 at 10:00 at Farm Sandrücken of Mr and Mrs Nico Bronkhorst and Mr J Hanekom. Guest speakers are Mr Clinton Collett, a farmer from the RSA and founding member of the Meatmaster sheep breed, Mr Nico Bronkhorst who will give an introductory demonstration of the Ngobu cattle breed, Mr Jonny Hanekom who will talk about alternative power, a representative of Lucksoil and Mrs Anette Steyn of Virbac. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, ottohunt@mweb.com.na 

The annual Meatco Inter Farmer Association braai competition this year is hosted by the Sonop FA on April 23 & 24 at the Gobabis Showgrounds. The theme is “Soccer World Cup 2010”. Prizes and cash of over N$130 000 can be won and team must be registered before March 31. For further details contact Mr Johan de Jager, Tel 062 564125, 081 2686930, jadejager@iway.na 

Kalkfeld FA is holding a meeting on March 17 at 09:00 at Farm Okosongoro of Fam P & U Clausen. Guest speakers are Mr K D Rumpf, chairman of the Livestock Producers Organisation and Mr G Baas who will talk about safety- and alarm systems. For further details contact Mr M Gogol, Tel 067 290159, hgogol@mweb.com.na 

Uhlenhorst FA is holding a meeting on March 3 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is a representative from Channel 7. For further details contact Mr Willie Krügel, Tel 063 265311, disal@iway.na 

Windhoek FA is holding its Annual General Meeting on March 17 at 08:30 at Farm Lichtenstein Nord of Ann & Ulli Rusch. Please register with Ann Rusch, Tel 061 233543 or Gudrun Middendorff, Tel 061 225727, gudrunm@iway.na 

Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on March 2 at 14:00 at the Osire FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr S Eimbeck who will talk about personal safety. For further details contact Mrs Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, wilckens@iway.na 

Karibib FA is holding a meeting on March 6 at 17:00 at Farm Kaltenhausen. For further details contact Mr Swart, Tel 061 241191.

Westelike Khomas FA is holding a meeting on March 17 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. For further information contact Mrs A Greeff, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na