Agriforum Jan-Feb 2022

agriforum

January-February 2022

N$30.00 (incl. VAT)

Volume 36

No 01

Beste veilingjaar nog Green hydrogen on the go Stryd teen misdaad verskerp

Festive greetings ISSN 1028-4192

22028

9 771028 419006

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Personeel/Personnel

General | Algemeen ’n Bielie van ’n veilingjaar!

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Beef Value Chain Forum moves into the next gear

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Leonard-mynplan ’n bron van volgehoue kommer

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Duitsland gee weer ruim vir biomassa

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Wiel aan die rol vir besproeiing by Neckartal

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Varkbedryf se BBP-bydrae klim

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Namibia to become world leader in green hydrogen

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New ways agriculture is fighting climate change

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Agra records best financial performance ever

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Gedugte oosteforum span saam teen misdaad

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Só vier Leonard se BV sy 70ste bestaansjaar

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Stampriet-landboudorp nader vinnig vol produksie

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LRF stockman school school talks profitability Veteraanboere staan steeds hul plek vol ‘Agronomy’s success lies in planning’ Dordabis couple explores alpacas’ potential B2Gold’s vision on rehabilitating degraded ecosystems

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Tel: (061) 256023 Fax/Faks: (061) 256035 AgriPublishers, Box 86641, Eros Accounts/Marketing: info@agriforum.com.na Lay-out and design: hubert@agriforum.com.na

Printing: Distribution: Cover Photo: Bull: Cow:

Business Print OnTheDot Simone Kauert Neu-Heusis NH19-12 Günzel TG11-72

Verantwoordelikheid word nie aanvaar vir aansprake in advertensies nie.

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Ontwerp Design

André Maasz

Benjamin van Staden

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ADVERTISING Agronomy & Water Services

47 UNAM Veterinary School

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AgriGro Namibia

73 Whole Concepts - neusring

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75 Gumtree Eartags

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Jooste Cylinders

78 Agra Provision - Online Academy

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Ceva - Maxicare

38 Namib Mills

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Virbac - Festive message

45 Financial Institutions Welwitschia Makelaars 74 Bank Windhoek

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Pupkewitz Megatech

83 Allan Gray

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Skuilhoek Stud

Securitas

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6 FNB Namibia

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10 Bush control Ombengu Bushroller 8 Hoffmann’s Farm Implements

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11 Motovac

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Porta Brahmane

12 Hochland Tractor Centre

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Central Select Auction

13 Africa Commercial Vehicles

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NLA Philip Strauss Dorpers

14 Rumax BJP Suppliers

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NLA Leonardville Veiling

17,18 Autohaus Mahindra Tractors

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NLA Danie Visser Dorpers

19 Simmentaler

JLB Brahmane

22 Walsim Simmentalers

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Schumacher Bonsmaras

24 Neu-Heusis Simmentalers

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Noordelike Bulveiling

44 Arla Simmentalers

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Rynand Mudge Brahmane

87 Voigtland Simmentalers

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Game and Hunting Ahrens Guns & Ammo

Günzel Simmentalers 77 Promatria Buschbrunn

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Woordfokus

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Rubberproof Linings

16 Iris Simmentalers

Agter die miershoop

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Agra Birthday Competition

21 Outee Simmentalers

Boeretroos

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Agra Integrated Report

25 Simmentaler Genootskap

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7 Vehicles & Implements

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CTS Solar

NLA Koos Esterhuizen

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31 Namibia Statistics Agency

Gert van Wyk Boerbokke

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InfiRay Namibia

Henties Soutwerke - klipsout

Breeds / Auctions

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Bureau Veritas Namibia

NLA - Kerswense

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33 NAU - Corporate members

WLA - Festive message

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Eastern Crime Prevention Forum

AgriTurf Namibia

Auction houses

Gereeld | Regular

INDE X

Cherry Irrigation

Alternative Energy

Farmers association projects to the fore

Ontwerp Design

Responsibility will not be accepted for claims made in advertisements.

Animal Health & Feeds

Feedmaster Suksesverhaal

Hubert Mannetti

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Simmentaler 50 - 72

Meat Board: Viability of feedlots

Marietjie van Staden Teneal Koorts

Ontwerp Design

News: marietjie@agriforum.com.na teneal@agriforum.com.na

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Special | Spesiaal

Padlangs met die NLU

Redaksie / Editorial

Farm Businesses

Lichtenstein Simmentalers

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Opinie

agriforum

Jeugbetrokkenheid en grondgesondheid Twee baie belangrike en relevante landbou-wêrelddae is vroeg in Desember gevier in aanloop tot die feesseisoen. Beide dien as ’n wekroep vir volhoubare landbou en voedselsekerheid waarvan ons kennis moet neem en neerpen vir aksies op agendas van grondvlak tot die hoogste regeringsgesag vir die nuwe jaar. Die eerste viering was Internasionale Boeredag, gevolg deur wêreldgronddag van die Verenigde Nasies se wêreldvoedsel- en landbou-organisasie (FAO).

Net voordat jeugbetrokkenheid tydens boeredag-vieringe in Afrika sterk op die voorgrond getree het, het die Namibië Landbou Unie (NLU) se president Pieter Gouws reeds die visie geopenbaar om dié belang­ rike onderwerp toe te lig. Dit was op 27 November toe sy toespraak as genooide spreker van Leonardville Boerevereniging se 70ste bestaans­ jaarvieringe voorgelees is. Die gepaste tema was om positief te wees, nuut te dink en die stokkie reg aan te gee vir die nageslag (sien bl 30 en 31).

Betrek die jongmense Internasionale Boeredag se vieringe is gekenmerk deur ’n dringende behoefte om die jeug by landbou betrokke te kry, veral in Afrika waar die jonger garde (15 tot 24 jaar) die grootste deel van die bevolking uitmaak – meer as 200 miljoen wat teen 2045 sal verdubbel. Verhoudingsge­w ys die hoogste ter wêreld! Saam met Afrika se vrugbare grond en groot dele wat nog braak en onbenut lê, vorm die twee ’n kragtige instrument om landbou-ontwikkeling te dryf. ’n Vinnige soektog op die internet het egter gewys op teleurstellende deelname met net enkele lande wat internasionale boeredag her­ denk – so ’n hand vol in Afrika vroeg in Desember. Enkele ander lande vier dié dag ook in die tweede helfte van die jaar maar op datums wat hulle pas soos net ná oestyd. Aanvanklik het dié dag, wat baie jare gelede sy oorsprong in Amerika gehad het, toe bekend gestaan as Old Farmers’ Day om boere te vereer vir hul harde werk en bydraes tot een

van die oudste bedrywe in die wêreld.

Ghana, wat dié dag die eerste Vrydag in Desember herdenk en pas sy 26ste viering agter die rug het, dien in dié verband gewis as ’n voorbeeld op die vasteland. Leiers hier het pas ’n baie groter mate van jeugbetrokkenheid bepleit om landbou en die nasionale ekonomie in stand te hou.

Ghana se plan is om nou om ter wille van verhoogde produksie en uitvoer groot te belê in opleiding wat die hele waardeketting omsluit en toegang tot billike finansiering vir spesifiek jong boere moontlik te maak.

In ’n vinnig veranderende wêreld moet dit ’n prioriteit wees om nuwe geleenthede in die ganse waardeketting te ontsluit vir werken welvaartskepping en jong werkloses te betrek vir hoër bydraes tot die bruto binnelandse produk en ’n hoër buitelandse verdienste uit uitvoer. Dit is alleenlik moontlik deur verhoogde produksie waarvoor regerings beleide vir ’n gunstige produksie- en bemarkingsomge­wing in plek moet kry.

Toenemende veroudering onder boere is ’n wêreldwye tendens met al minder jongmense wat toetree. Volgens NLU-statistieke is boere se gemiddelde ouderdom nou 58 jaar teenoor 2011 se 55 jaar. Dit wissel tussen streke met Karasburg wat die jongste gemiddelde ouderdom verteenwoordig.

Kommerwekkend is dat ’n ernstige tekort aan boere in die toekoms kan ontstaan. Ongelukkig is winsgewendheid, tradisionele nie-volhoubare produksiestelsels, swak toegang tot finansiering, hoë risiko’s op klimaatgebied en beleidsekerheid van die uitdagings wat dringend aangespreek moet word om die jeug in hul toevlug na stede of dorpe vir werkgeleenthede te stuit. Loopbane wat gedryf word deur nuwe praktyke, tegnologie en ’n goeie inkomste is veel aantrekliker vir hulle.

Tog lê die toekoms in landbou want ’n groeiende wêreldbevolking moet kos op die tafel hê.

Ons sal dringend moet kyk na gesamentlike aksies en beleide vir jeugbetrokkenheid in landbou, een van die ekonomiese kernpilare op die vasteland. Die vertrekpunt kan sekondêre skole wees waar bewustheid geskep moet word oor die voordele van en behoeftes aan loopbane in landbou. Die jeug sal ook betrek moet word by beleidsformulering op plaaslike en nasionale vlak om hul uitdagings te identifiseer en maniere­ te help bedink hoe dit aangespreek kan word.

Nog ’n groot geleentheid lê in die internet, sosiale mediaplatforms en selfone wat bly ontwikkel en ingespan moet word om landbou se beeld te bevorder, tegnologiese ontwikkeling te deel en boerdery-vaardighede tuis te bring. Voorts moet die media betrek word wat dikwels ’n verwronge, uitgediende beeld van landbou se “swoeg en sweet vir min geld” voorhou. Vandag is landbou ’n innoverende sakesektor wat ’n magdom loopbaankeuses op verskeie gebiede bied – baie daarvan buite die plaashek waaronder mark- en nywerheidsontwikkeling en agri-ondernemings.

Laaste, maar nie die minste nie, sal regerings vinnig wakker moet word.

Hoewel landbou die doeltreffendste sektor is om armoede te verlig, is dit ongelukkig dié een wat erg afgeskeep word met van die kleinste toekennings uit staatsbegrotings. Beleggings is nodig as ons ons jeug wil betrokke kry – ook uit die private sektor. Ons sal moet dink aan inno­ verende, moderne maniere hoe dit gedoen kan word.

Let op grondgesondheid Sonder gesonde grond is enige vorm van boerdery onmoontlik – saam met water ’n onontbeerlike lewensbron. Om bewustheid oor grond te kweek is die FAO se wêreldvoedseldag op 5 Desember pas vir die agtste­ jaar gevier. Vanjaar se tema was om verbrakking van grond te keer en grondproduktiwiteit ’n hupstoot te gee – beide belangrike beginsels in Namibië se nasionale herlewingslandbouprojek wat uit ’n inisiatief van die NLU spruit.

Onvolhoubare landboupraktyke, oorbenutting van natuurlike hulpbronne en groeiende bevolkingsgetalle verhoog druk op grond wat wêreldwyd teen ’n kommerwekkende tempo verswak. Volgens die FAO is meer as 833 miljoen ha van die wêreld se grond reeds verbrak waarvan 10% landerye is.

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’n Bielie van ’n veilingjaar!

Bees- en kleinveeveilings het nog nie ’n jaar soos 2021 beleef nie.

Pryse het geklim en toenemend meer aanlynveilings het meegebring dat goeie koopkrag in buurlandse soos Botswana, Zimbabwe en Suid-Afrika gevestig is. “Kopers in buurlande is vol lof vir die hoë kwaliteit en struktureel korrekte stoetdiere van Namibië,” sê Gert van Wyk van NLA en Paul Klein van Agra en voeg by “die kopers het gekom om te bly”.

Gert meen boere kon die afgelope jaar surplusgeld in genetika belê wat in die droogtejare aan voer en lek bestee moes word. Beter koopkrag uit die buurlande skryf hy toe aan die uitvoerverbod op Suid-Afrika weens bek-en-klouseersiekte. “Buurlande kyk nou na Namibië om aan hul behoeftes vir genetiese materiaal te voldoen.”

Op sy beurt wys Paul op landbou as een van min sektore in die land se ekonomie wat groei. “Dit skep ’n positiewe prentjie – ook op veilinggebied.”

naamlik die Brahman, Bonsmara, Simmentaler en Simbra. Top-pryse bo N$200 000 was N$550 000 vir ’n Bonsmarabul, N$280 000 vir ’n Brahmanbul en N$210 000 vir ’n Simbrabul.

Op kleinveestoetveilings was die totale aanbod 1 560. Die hoogste pryse was N$100 000 vir ’n bokram, N$41 000 vir ’n bokooi, N$95 000 vir ’n Kalahari Red-ooi, N$80 000 vir ’n Meatmaster-ram, N$24 000 vir ’n Meatmaster-ooi, N$39 000 vir ’n Dorperram en N$35 000 vir Wit Dorper-ooi.

Op kommersiële kant het tollies se kilogramprys met 13% gestyg en dié van verse met 17%, gedryf deur steeds ’n hoë vraag in die kuddeboufase. Paul voeg by dat die grootste sprong in speenkalfpryse van 30% van 2019 na 2020 was weens groot tekorte ná die droogtejare. “Ligte kalwers onder 200 kg bly die gewildste wat toegeskryf kan word aan die hoë speenkalfpryse. Voorts het slagbeesgetalle ook toegeneem met goeie pryse wat op die hoef behaal is.”

Agra-veilings Meer as 800 bulle van 16 rasse is vanjaar vir gemiddeld N$60 000 stuks verkoop teenoor die verlede jaar se N$49 000 op stoetbeesveilings, volgens Paul. Hy het ook melding gemaak van die eerste nasionale Beefmaster-veiling en Chianina-bulle wat hul debuut op ’n veiling gemaak het.

Paul meen die eerste landwye goeie reënjaar ná ’n u ­ itgerekte droogte, ’n verhoogde vraag om kuddes te herbou, meer buitelandse kopers en ’n konstante, stabiele hoë speenkalfprys was die hoofdrywers van die hoër pryse. “Ons weet mos van die sterk kor­ relasie tussen speenkalf- en bulpryse. Daarby het die deursnitkwaliteit van bulle ’n rol gespeel.”

Getallegewys het die grootste rasse weer veilings oorheers,

NLA-veilings Volgens Gert het pryse maklik met 30% gestyg op NLA-stoetvei­ lings in die suide. Die totale aanbod met 100%-verkope was 2 777 waarvan 1 605 ooie was en 1 172 ramme. Hy voorspel ná nog ’n goeie­reënjaar en verdubbeling in getalle sal koopkrag op beide stoet- en kommersiële veiling bevoordeel word.

Onder stoetramme was daar ’n hele paar uitskieters – N$180 000 vir ’n Boerbok-eliteram (gemiddeld N$55 000 vir 16 diere), N$150 000 vir ’n Meatmaster-ram (gemiddeld N$13 850 vir 339 ­diere), N$100 000 vir ’n Van Rooy-eliteram en N$52 000 vir ’n Persieelite­ram. Ooie het ook nie teruggestaan nie met N$90 00 vir ’n eliteKalahari Red en N$50 000 vir ’n Boerbok-etlite (gemiddelde prys N$27 481 vir 52 diere).

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Beef Value Chain Forum moves

The present paid up membership at a once off N$5 000 fee of the Beef Value Chain Forum (BVCF) now stands at 312 members. The initial target of N$1 million needed to address all the issues at hand has now exceeded the N$2,3 million-mark, which puts the BVCF in a strong position to conclude its tasks.

With the professional assistance of Cirrus Capital and expertise in the Namibian agricultural industry, the finalised bankable business plan with financial modelling was discussed and accepted at a speMore than hundred members attended the special members meeting of the Beef Value Chain Forum on 26 November 2021. cial members meeting on 26 November. company, Savanna Beef Processors, with spedressed and all environmental issues will reAt the same event members gave the task cific shareholding requirements. This will ceive priority to meet international standards team the go ahead for: be discussed with producers in the coming required for niche market access.

• Sourcing funds for the project, starting with roll-out phase. A producer delivering only • Further engagement and extension of the a producer investment drive already in Deone slaughter animal per annum is also welmarketing strategy in order to obtain the cember according to a laid-out capital raiscome as a shareholder. best prices for producers. ing strategy. The target is a N$100 million • Finalising the modern state-of-the art infra­ • Co-operation on a continuous basis with incontribution by producers. Possible invesstructure layout and site selection that would dustry stakeholders. tors will also be approached. lead to the construction phase. The environ- • Continuously broaden the producer base as • Finalising the business structure of the new mental impact assessment needs to be adthe source of prime product supply.

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into the next gear The message to livestock producers is that the dedicated task team has devoted, without any renumeration, much thought, time, planning and energy to this project over the past year.

The task team is of the opinion that they were aware and prepared to take some calculated risks in seeking a brighter future, but as the saying goes: “It is not the strongest nor the most intelligent who will survive but the one who is most adaptable to change.” Namibian beef producers (from all walks of life) have proven over decades that they are adapt to change.

It is from this point of departure that the BVCF task team encourages producers to take a next bold step in the process of change. “We need to be unified in our approach.”

Background It is now a year ago when a group of concerned cattle producers gathered for the first time in Otjiwarongo to assess the declining profitability of value addition to slaughter cattle destined for beef export markets. A task team was elected and additional members were co-opted to drive the process further. An inauguration meeting of the BVCF was held on 9 September 2021.

Meanwhile, the pre-feasibility study on the

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John Muinjo (middle), task team member of the BVCF, Rogers Kauta (left) and Donald Tjikune (right) in conversation during the recent BVCF meeting.

Namibian beef value chain was updated with the latest data inputs. Many issues were addressed to work towards a producer-owned processing facility with the main focus: • to retain a further 50 000 weaners in the

country to be raised to prime slaughter cattle, and • to ensure the optimal price for cattle producers by adding value to the prime product and direct it to niche world meat markets.

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Leonard-mynplan ’n bron van volgehoue kommer Ten einde die katastrofiese gevolge van die in-situ loging van uraan in die ryk ondergrondse Stampriet-waterkom af te weer, het die Namibië Landbou Unie (NLU) hande gevat met ’n aantal bekommerde Namibiërs en belanghebbendes. Dit het uitgeloop op die stigting van die Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Committee (SAUMC) om ministe­ries wat geïmpliseer word vir hul betrokkenheid bewus te maak van ’n dreigende omgewings- en gesondheidsramp.

Volgehoue druk van grondeienaars het daartoe gelei dat die ministerie van landbou, water en grondhervorming twee van Headspring Investments se permitte vir die boor van eksplorasiegate onlangs met onmiddellike effek gekanselleer het omdat voorskrifte verontagsaam is. Dit volg ná ’n besoek van die ministerie aan plase waar prospektering gedoen word. Headspring Investments is ’n filiaal van die Russiese kern­ kragagentskap Rosatom.

Volgens die permitte (11561 en 11562) wat in Maart vanjaar aan Headspring Investments uitgereik is vir eksplorasie- en hidrogeologiese doeleindes was onderskeidelik 19 en 18 boorgate ter sprake. In ’n skrywe van die ministerie aan Headspring Investments word hulle gewys op minstens nog 70 eksplorasiegate wat geboor is sonder ’n

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geldige permit en ’n verdere sewe vir hidrogeologiese doeleindes.

Voorts het die ministerie spesifiek g ­ ewys op boorgate wat in-situ loging naboots. Volgens SAUMC laat dit die vraag ontstaan of in-situ loging nie reeds plaasgevind het of daarvoor voorberei word sonder die nodi­ge toestemming of permitte nie.

Nog ’n bron van kommer is dat meer as dertig prospekteerlisensies onder verskeie name steeds geldig is in die reuse-gebied van 2,7 miljoen ha van die sensitiewe Stamp­riet-­waterkom wat ’n deel van Botswana en Suid-Afrika insluit. SAUMC is besig om op te volg of die onderskeie propsekteerders met Headspring verbind kan word.

“Lewensbedreigende uraan- en radio-aktiewe besoedeling kan nie met sig, smaak of reuk vasgestel word nie, maar het wêreldwyd reeds ’n impak op die gesondheid van mens, plant en dier gehad. Rehabilitasie duur etlike dekades teen hoë koste van regerings in lande waar dié metode van uraanontginning gebruik is,” lui ’n verklaring van SAUMC. Redes van die ministerie vir die onttrekking van die twee ekplorasieboorpermitte is: • Die Auob-waterdraer in die Kalahari was nie afgeseël volgens permitvoorwaardes

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voordat boorwerk begin het nie.

• Sommige van die boorgate is vir lang tyd­ perke oopgelos, wat die chemiese oplossing langer aktief gehou en paadjies kon laat vorm het met moontlike ondergrondse waterbesoedeling. Die oop gate hou ook ’n gevaar vir wild en vee wat daarin kan val.

• Permitvoorwaardes is nie beskikbaar ge­ stel aan boorkontrakteurs nie. Baie van die kontrakteurs is nie by die ministerie gere­gistreer nie terwyl van hulle ook nie vertroud was met spesifikasies vir boorwerk in dié kwesbare gebied nie.

Intussen wag SAUMC nog op terug­voer van relevante ministeries nadat ’n skrywe aan hulle gerig is wat hoofsaaklik die verwoestende gevolge van in-situ loging op die omgewing en gesondheid van lewende wesens uitwys. Aanvanklik is die s­ krywe gerig aan uitvoerende direkteure van die mini­steries, maar in die afwesigheid op terug­voer teen die sperdatum is dit toe direk na die ministers gekanaliseer. Net die landbou­minister het teen die sperdatum van 3 Desember gereageer. Hy het te kenne gegee dat sy ministerie aandag aan die kwessie gee. Teen 8 Desember is nog gewag op te­rug­voer van die ministers van gesondheid, myne en energie, omgewing en toerisme.

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Duitsland gee weer ruim vir biomassa Landbouminister Calle Schlettwein het onlangs in die parlement meer lig gewerp op ’n projek om die beraamde 450 miljoen ton bio­massa in die land in sake- en werkgeleenthede te omskep. Nog waarde sal toegevoeg word om weiveld op die beboste 45 miljoen hektaar te herstel ten einde veeboerdery weer te laat herleef en landbou se bydrae tot die bruto binnelandse produk te verbeter, het hy gesê.

Die Suider-Afrikaanse projek wat Duitsland finansier, is g ­ emik op

Lig in tonnel vir verskeping van houtskool Skeepvraghouers wat die afgelope jaar ’n uitdaging vir houtskoolprodusente was, sal na verwagting vroeg in die nuwe jaar verbeter.

Teen begin Maart 2022 hoop die Namibiese Houtskoolvereniging (NCA) om kragte saam te snoer met ’n skeepsredery wat oor langer termyn meer houers sal kan verskuif. In afwagting op finale goedkeu­ ring vir akkreditasie van Namibië se Industriële Laboratoriumdienste (ILS), hopelik einde Februarie 2022, moes die MSC-redery opleiding uitstel om met spesiale toerusting alle lug uit omhulsels in vraghouers te suig. Houtskool sal dan nie meer as ’n gevaarlike produk beskou word nie. Die beteken vervoerders sal hul bestaande kapasiteit kan verdubbel omdat houers nie meer op een spesifieke plek op ’n skip geplaas hoef te word nie. Die opleiding sal na verwagting einde Januarie gedoen word, afhangende van reisbeperkings in Europese lande van waar die kursusaanbieders kom.

Rekord-houtskooluitvoer is vir die afgelope jaar verwag, maar vroeë aanduidinge is dat dit met minstens 30 en 40% gedaal het.

Die internasionale vraag groei, maar ongelukkig kon daar nie voorsien word in die behoefte nie weens verskepingsprobleme en opeenhoping by hawens.

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weidingverbetering deur middel van bosbeheer, volhoubare po­gings om klimaatsverandering se impak te versag, asook die verbetering van lewensomstandighede en voedselsekerheid in Suider-Afrika.

Die minister se aankondiging het gevolg ná die bekragtiging van ’n ooreenkoms met die Suider-Afrikaanse Wetenskapsentrum vir Klimaats­ verandering en Aangepaste Grondbestuur (SASSCAL).

Hy het spesifiek gewys op geleenthede vir houtskoolproduksie, dierevoeding, bio-char, brandhout en houtstukkies vir industriële verhitting.

Volgens minister Schlettwein verskaf die houtskoolwaardeketting werk aan meer as 8 000 mense en word ’n jaarlikse uitvoer-inkomste van meer as N$500 miljoen gegenereer.

Uitdagings van klimaatsverandering, gebrekkige w ­ etenskaplike navorsingskapasitieit en finansieringsbehoeftes in die SADC-streek het Namibië, Angola, Suid-Afrika en Zambië genoop om saam met Duitsland die inisiatief te neem om SASSCAL te vestig met sy hoof­kantoor in Windhoek.

Dié vyf lande het ooreengekom om ’n verdrag te sluit wat as ’n wettige instrument sal dien vir die bedryf van SASSCAL. Bykomend sal SASSCAL die status van ’n internasionale organisasie verwerf en by die Verenigde Nasies geregistreer word. SASSCAL se hoofdoelwit is om wetenskaplike kapasiteit in die Suider-Afrikaanse streek te ver­sterk op die gebiede van landbou, biodiversiteit, klimaatsverande­ring, bosbou, water en groenwaterstof.

In die eerste fase is 88 navorsingsprojekte in SASSCAL-lidlande geïmplementeer, waarvan 18 in Namibië. Die totale begroting vir Namibiese projekte het sowat N$32 miljoen beloop en is deur Duitsland as ’n ontwikkelingsvennoot gefinansier.

Die tweede fase word deur die Duitse federale ministerie van onderwys en navorsing (BMBF) ter waarde van N$170 miljoen gefinansier.

Die dertien projekte wat vir Namibië geoormerk is se waarde staan op N$46,5 miljoen. Twee daarvan fokus op water en voedselsekerheid en sal deur Namibië self gekoördineer word.

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Wiel aan die rol vir besproeiingsprojek by Neckartal-dam Die tweede ontwikkelingsfase by die Nec­ kar­tal-dam sal deur middel van openbareprivate vennootskappe (OPV) geskied. Dit be­hels ’n besproeiingsprojek binne die raam­ werk van die regering se groenskema-beleid en doelwitte. Die oogmerk is om in 2022-23 met produksie af te skop.

Tot dusver is 3 800 ha van die beplande 5 000 ha vir landbouproduksie bekom. Onderhandelinge is reeds aan die gang om die oorblywende 1 200 ha by die projek in te lyf, wat as besproeiingsgrond geïdentifiseer is.

Onder die gewasse wat verbou gaan word tel dadels, druiwe, graan, groente en lusern.

In ’n onlangse mediaverklaring het die minister van landbou, water en grond­her­ vor­ming, Calle Schlettwein, die versekering gegee dat die regering ’n goed uiteengesette implementeringsplan vir die Neckartal-dam gereed het. “Die ministerie is nou in samewerking met private rolspelers en die ministerie van finansies besig om die besproeiingsprojek van die grond af te kry om die tweede fase in te lei. Die eerste fase was die vyf jaar lange konstruksiewerk aan die dam.”

Volgens die landbouminister het ’n reeks studies die proses voorafgegaan op onder meer geotegniese, ekologiese en hidro­ lo­­giese gebied. Uitvoerbare ontwerpe­en kosteberekeninge is ook gedoen waarna ’n eenheid vir openbare-private vennoot-

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skappe op die been gekom het. Dié eenheid het die uiteensetting projekriglyne in September vanjaar voltooi.

Die regering het die sedert die aanvangfase van die dam se ontwikkeling ’n groenskema beplan. Voorts het die minister beweringe ontken dat die damprojek ’n mislukking is. “Die landbouministerie het aanvanklik beplan om die tweede fase van die besproeiingsprojek met eie fondse te ontwikkel, maar weens die regering se eko­ nomiese posisie is besluit op ’n openbareprivate vennootskap.”

Minister Schlettwein het bygevoeg dat die Neckartal-projek ’n inklusiewe, nasio­na­ le projek is wat groot waarde vir die land inhou en reeds vir jare deel uitmaak van ’n meesterplan vir watervoorsiening in die land. ’n Ondersoek om vas te stel hoe groot ’n ekonomiese boerdery-eenheid moet wees, is gedoen en bevindinge was tussen 50 en 100 ha afhangende van die gewasse wat verbou word. Die lewensvatbaarheidstudie en ontwerpe is beskikbaar vir die publiek en po­tensiële beleggers om te besigtig.

Intussen is die vennootskap-eenheid besig met ’n projekoorsig. Sodra dit afgehandel is, sal aktiwiteite en die tydsverloop daarvan aan die publiek gekommunikeer word. Die mikpunt is om al die voetwerk so gou as moontlik af te handel sodat die projek in die

volgende finansiële jaar in bedryf kan kom.

Die Neckartal-besproeiingsprojek was een van ’n aantal projekte wat voorgestel is by die internasionale beleggingskonferensie wat in Oktober 2016 gehou is. “Ons is nou besig om voorstelle van die konferensie te implementeer.”

Nog potensiaal ontsluit Voorts is ’n studie pas van stapel gestuur vir die moontlike ontwikkeling van ’n visboer­ dery en akwakultuur waarin die minis­terie van visserye en mariene hulpbronne byge­ staan word deur die Verenigde Nasies se voedsel- en landbou-organisasie (VLO). Die FAO-segspersoon, Phillipus Tobias, sê dié organisasie sal tegniese bystand lewer wat bestuur en vereistes van infrastruktuur insluit vir die volhoubare ontwikkeling van só ’n projek.

Intussen bepleit politieke opposisieleiers in die streek dat toerisme-potensiaal ontsluit­ moet word. Die ontwikkeling van ontspanningsgeriewe en watersport sal ongetwyfeld dié dam tot sy volle reg laat kom.

(Konstruksiewerk aan die Neckartal-dam het in 2013 begin en is in 2018 voltooi. Die totale koste het N$5,7 miljard beloop. Met ’n inhoudsmaat van 875 miljoen kubieke meter is dié dam verreweg die grootste in die land – meer as drie keer groter as die naasgrootste Hardap-dam.)

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Varkbedryf se BBP-bydrae klim Namibiese varkprodusente het reeds teen einde Augustus N$113 miljoen tot die land se bruto binnelandse produk vir die jaar bygedra wat 2020 se jaarsyfer van N$133 miljoen sal oorskry.

Volgens Gideon Goosen, voorsitter van die Varkprodusentevereniging, kan vanjaar se goeie prestasie toegeskryf word aan ’n hoër plafonprys teenoor 2020. “Ons het nagenoeg N$4 per kg meer gekry as verlede jaar. Dit verteenwoordig ’n verhoging van 20,4%. In 2020 was die plafonprys N$33.64 teenoor vanjaar se N$37.87. Die getal varke wat geslag is, stem egter ooreen met dié van verlede jaar.”

Gideon voeg by dat 36% van die varkvleis wat in Namibië verbruik word in die formele mark geproduseer word. “Ek weet wel vir ’n feit baie meer varke word geproduseer, veral in informele bedrywe waarvan getalle nie aangeteken word nie.”

Die meeste ingevoerde varkvleis (69%) kom van Suid-Afrika en die res van Europa, Kanada en die Verenigde Koninkryk.

Intussen wys Gideon daarop dat die vark­ vleisbemarkingskema onder die Vleisraad se vaandel positief bydra tot die sektor. “Daarsonder sou varkboerdery in Namibië nie ’n bestaansreg gehad het nie.”

Hy meen varkproduksie in die land het

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hier moeilik om hul diere te laat slag, voeg Gideon by. “Volgens wetgewing moet varke wat in munisipale gebiede verkoop word by ’n gesertifiseerde abattoir geslag word.

Dit bring mee dat die diere na die aanlegte op Tsumeb of Mariental vervoer moet word met bykomende koste wat winsgewendheid onder druk plaas.”

Gideon Goosen, voorsitter van die Varkprodusentevereniging.

toegeneem, veral te danke aan die behoefte­ en besef onder boere om te diversifiseer. “’n Klein gebied is nodig en met die regte voeding kan varkboerdery ’n sukses wees.

Dit is ongelukkig ’n intensiewe, veeleisende bedryf wat toewyding verg. Daarby is stygende voerpryse ’n uitdaging, maar tog maak baie kleinboere ’n sukses daarvan.”

Varke kry ’n gebalanseerde rantsoen van mielies, soja, semels en ’n vitamien-aanvul­ ling.

Verslagting Die feit dat die Windhoek-omgewing nie meer oor ’n varklyn by ’n gesertifiseerde abattoir­beskik nie, maak dit vir produsente

January-February 2022

Varkpes ’n uitdaging Wanneer Afrika-varkpes op ’n plaas uitbreek, lei dit tot vrektes van tussen 95 tot 100%. Geen entmiddel of medikasie werk vir dié siekte nie. In die geval van ’n uitbre­ king op ’n spesifieke plaas moet die hele varkkudde van kant gemaak word, karkasse begrawe of verbrand word en die plaas skoongemaak word, wat beteken alle mis moet verwyder en hokke moet ont­smet word. Gideon sê streng bioveiligheidsmaat­ reëls moet gevolg word om dié siekte te voorkom.

Suid-Afrika het tans ’n probleem met uitbrekings van dié siekte, maar die vleis wat Namibië invoer, kom van geslote, veilige kompartemente waar varke gereeld getoets en siektevry gesertifiseer word. Net gesonde diere word by uitvoer-abattoirs geslag, waar streng internasionale voedselstandaarde en beheerstelsels geld.

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Namibia sets out to become world leader in green hydrogen Namibia’s ambitions to become a world leader in green hydrogen has just started with the potential to develop at a fast pace to spur national and regional economic growth. In this regard president Hage Geingob’s announcement on a multi-million-dollar project in southern Namibia attracted much attention at the recent COP26 conference in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

“Namibia is ready to become a climate pioneer. We have just designed and awarded the largest tender in our nation’s history to accelerate the deployment of innovative technology in the development of renewable energy and related value chains in the country. As government, our role is to facilitate the development of green and blue economies and therefore decided to prioritise the development of green hydrogen assets,” said president Geingob.

Green hydrogen will be the foundation of the southern corridor development initiative in Namibia’s //Karas region. More than 5 700 km2 was made available for the development of green hydrogen and ammonia assets. The estimated investment required to achieve this target is about US$9,4 billion (N$151 billion).

Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, in a joint venture with Nicholas Holdings Limited and Enertag South Africa, was appointed as the preferred bidder for the multi-billion-dollar project.

According to the president the project will provide an estimated 30 000 potential jobs, doubling the region’s existing employment rate. Moreover, residents of the region will be paid homage. “To ensure that we capture as much of the value chain locally, we also established a national green hydrogen research institute, which will inculcate the latest cutting-edge technologies into the classrooms and syllabi of Namibian tertiary institutions.”

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The first phase of the green hydrogen facility is expected to enter production in 2026 with an estimated capital cost of US$4,4 billion (N$71 billion). Thereafter expansion will take place in phases to increase capacity from an initial 2 gigawatts of renewable electricity generation to 5 gigawatts, and 3 gigawatts of electrolyser. Ultimately the facility will produce approximately 300 000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

Namibia has the potential to become one of the world’s key players in the green hydrogen market. It is estimated that 1 kg of hydrogen from Namibia will cost between US$1.70 (N$26.03) and US$2.30 (N$35.21), making it the most cost competitive price in the world.

Low production costs will make the country an attractive partner for the international community during the global energy transition towards green energy.

During the virtual Africa Green Hydrogen Forum in late November, James Mnyupe, economic adviser to the Namibian president, said that the government may release a second request for proposal for another green hydrogen facility early next year. “We intend to make the announcement at the World Economic Forum in January. Lüderitz has great potential for further industrialisation in the markets of green zinc, fertiliser and rail opportunities. Other regions such as Erongo and Kunene also have the capacity for similar initiatives,” Mnyupe added.

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Introducing the Selekt Platinum Sustainability Loan.

Selekt Platinum is a bundled fee, premium bank offering created to give visionaries the tools they need to become legends. With the Sustainability Loan, you can lend up to N$500,000, enjoy flexible terms up to 72 months and a three-month payment holiday, making it easier and more cost-effective for you to invest in a brighter future.

To find out how to become a Selekt Platinum Legend, visit www.bankwindhoek.com.na Ts & Cs apply

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New ways agriculture is fighting climate change

Agriculture contributes about 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, according to the United Nations. While the sector is a key contributor to climate change, it is also vulnerable to its effects with climate-related impacts such as droughts, flooding and longer fire seasons posing increasingly serious challenges to farmers around the world.

The good news is there is a fast-growing sustainable agriculture movement, and it’s continuing to accelerate as the need becomes more urgent.

Among new technologies and practices that agricultural entrepreneurs are developing to adapt to the challenges of climate

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change and become part of the solution, are: • California-based TerViva is commercialising a climate-resilient legume that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Its proteinand oil-rich seeds are a sustainable alternative to palm and soy.

• Missouri’s Pluton Biosciences is developing a microbial product that can be applied at planting and harvest to scrub nearly two tonnes of carbon from the air per acre of farmland per year, while replenishing nutrients in the soil.

• Indoor agriculture is an emerging solution to address challenges of weather, pests and limitations in space and water, but it requires significant energy to supply light in place of the sun. Colorado startup SunPath addresses developed fibre optic indoor lighting, delivering actual sunlight deep inside buildings while Pennsylvania-based GrowFlux’s intelligent lighting systems provides 20 to 30% energy savings for indoor horticulture.

• Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas released from agriculture fields that is nearly 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Tennessee-based startup Mobius is developing the next generation of biodegradable plastics made from a byproduct of the agriculture and forestry industries that can be used to deliver nitrogen for plants in a controlled manner and in place of fossil-fuel based fertilisers, improving soil quality, minimising harmful nitrogen runoff, and significantly reducing emissions.

Experts point out that the need for such solutions is urgent, as is the support that will allow these emerging technologies to succeed. (www.rantoulpress.com) www.agriforum.com.na

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Building a legacy Like farmers, who build legacies and positively impact communities, investors can achieve financial freedom and build a lasting financial legacy through investing. Allan Gray Namibia shares five steps you can take to help guide you in your planning.

Building a legacy is a deeply personal exercise that should be shaped by your own values and circumstances: You may want to ensure that your children have access to the best education available, leave your loved ones with a substantial nest egg or make a lasting impact on your community.

Regardless of what “legacy” means to you, a single income stream can only take us so far. It is therefore important that we set goals for our money. Investing is a great way to build wealth.

The idea of building a financial legacy may feel out of reach, yet, with careful planning and discipline you too can begin to sow the seeds for future generations. Below are five steps to take to start building your financial legacy.

Set clear goals Many investors fall short of achieving their goals because they don’t have a solid plan in place. Start by establishing the kind of legacy you would like to build. Then, set clear goals and devise a plan to reach them, within your given timeframe.

Take saving for your children’s education, for example. Establish how much money you would need to save and how much time you have to save it. Next draw up a budget to ensure that you allocate enough money towards this goal.

It is also important to make provision for an emergency savings fund to ensure that you do not have to abandon your plan when life happens.

Understand your financial products When you start an investment, you are effectively entering into a legal contract with a financial services provider.

Before you commit, you must familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions. The rules attached to investment products vary and are often dictated by law. It is important to understand any limitations and costs associated with accessing your money. Getting the answers to the following questions is key: • When can I access my money?

• Are there limits to how much I can contribute?

• What are the benefits of my contributions?

• How long does it take to access my investment?

• What are the costs involved in setting up the investment?

• Are there any tax benefits or implications of this investment?

You need to ensure that the products you pick align with your investment objectives.

Make compound interest work for you Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, compound interest is earning interest on the interest you have already earned. Understanding how it works and how to use it to your advantage can greatly improve your financial outcomes.

If you take on a lot of debt to fund your day-to-day expenses, you will soon find yourself paying a lot of interest. This interest can compound and work against you. Conversely, if you invest your money www.agriforum.com.na

and earn interest, over time you will find that this interest starts earning interest – exponentially growing your investment and helping you achieve your financial goals.

Think like an investor When you are building a legacy, you need to shift your mindset from saving to investing. You are not just putting money aside; you are putting your money to work.

In the long term, investing creates the opportunity to keep up with inflation by investing in asset classes such as equity, bonds, property and commodities, that typically generate higher returns than cash (i.e., savings or money market accounts offered by most mainstream banks).

As an investor, you should think carefully about what you are trying to achieve, how much risk you are taking on and how you are diversifying your investments. Make sure your investment portfolio is spread across various asset classes that carry different types of risks.

Understand what will happen when you die The various investment products and life policies available are subject to different rules around how benefits are allocated when you die.

Some financial products allocate the benefits to your estate, some to your nominated beneficiaries and some products, such as retirement fund benefits, are allocated to your dependants.

Understand how these benefits are allocated and how long it may take for each of these financial products to pay out upon your death.

If you don’t already have one, make sure to draw up a valid will that clearly defines how your assets should be distributed.

A long-term endeavour Maintaining a long-term perspective and adopting a consistent approach to investing can help you avoid making costly mistakes, such as trying to identify the best times to be invested in the market and when to get out. When thinking about your investments, you should always focus on your long-term goal and whether where you are putting your hard-earned savings is going to help you reach that goal.

Devising a well-rounded financial plan can be a challenging task to go at alone. It is advisable to consult with an independent financial adviser who can help you make sense of the options available to you. An adviser can also help you identify your behavioural biases, put together a plan, manage your risk and diversification, and help you stay the course so that you realise your goals.

For more information and assistance contact Allan Gray Namibia at info@allangray.com.na, visit www.allangray.com.na or call 061 221 103.

© 2021 Allan Gray Namibia Proprietary Limited All rights reserved. The content and information may not be reproduced or distributed without the prior written consent of Allan Gray Namibia Proprietary Limited (“Allan Gray”).

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Agra records best financial performance ever Agra has since its inception in 1980 thrived through droughts, recessions and farmingrelated challenges – none with such a devastating impact as the Covid-19 pandemic which has brought many industries to their knees. However, despite the odds, Agra was able to record its best financial performance to date.

“Revenue grew with 1,5% for a record N$1,8 billion in turnover. Simultaneously, the company showed increased operational profit of 6,5% compared to the previous year,” said Agra’s CEO, Arnold Klein.

He attributed this to Agra’s proactive preparations for the pandemic with early implementation of measures and pioneering regulatory protocols which were adopted nationwide.

More contributing factors Arnold highlighted included favourable loan negotiations, focusing on managing profit margins, stricter cost management and the diversification of non-agricultural retail lines.

During the past year, Agra increased its market share in both retail and livestock markets. Agra Auctions reported excellent results, despite decreased animal numbers compared to previous years. Simultaneously, the agri-retail giant continued to invest in property through new projects and upgrades to branches and fuel infrastructure.

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Ryno van der Merwe, chairman of the Agra board, who was re-elected for another term during Agra’s AGM. He expressed great pride and gratitude towards Agra management and staff for their dedication to the broader agriculture community and contributing to Agra’s best-ever financial performance.

Arnold Klein, chief executive of Agra, who expressed how blessed both management and staff felt over the company’s excellent financial performance in a time of severe economic and environmental challenges. “We are extremely motivated, but realise that we need to keep the momentum going to achieve even better results in future,” he said at the annual general meeting on 26 November.

In addition, Agra shares have proven to be a good investment option with a current price of N$1.85 per share, which indicates strong market performance in recent years. A dividend payout of 10c per ordinary share was approved for 2020-21.

In his review Ryno van der Merwe, chairman of the board, congratulated and applauded Agra for the achievement, stating that its successes could be credited to the board’s clear plan and vision, which the management team successfully implemented. He thanked the CEO for building a

motivated team and effectively executing strategies the past financial year.

“Despite challenging circumstan­ces, Agra has shown that there is opportunity in adversity. Management and staff are committed to providing exceptional personal service, offering effective solutions to market needs and provide every Namibian with the opportunity to create a better life,” Arnold concluded.

Agra has a vast network of branches across the country, 4 300 shareholders and over 800 employees.

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Gedugte oosteforum span saam teen misdaad Die teorie dat gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en -polisiëring kritiek belangrik is vir suksesvolle mis­ daad­voorkoming is opnuut in die praktyk be­wys.

Die Eastern Crime Prevention Forum (ECPF) in die Gobabis-omgewing se toewyding en proaktiewe optrede dien as ’n goeie voorbeeld hiervan – ook wat ’n boeregemeenskap binne ’n jaar kan vermag. In samewerking met NamPol word die forum ’n al hoe kragtiger wapen in die stryd teen toenemende misdaad.

Vir goeie koördinering en vinnige optrede benadruk ondervoorsitter Jan Pienaar die belang­ rikheid van deurlopende kontak met die polisie se streekbevelvoerder.

Volgens die bestuur staan die ledetal van die ECPF reeds amper by die 50-merk en dit groei steeds. Voorsitter Koos van der Merwe sê: ”Van ons lede wag nou op hul goedkeuring en inswe­ ring as reserviste, wat ons teenmisdaadpogings gewis sal versterk. Intussen is reserviste van beide die ECPF en vrywilligers op die dorp saam met ’n span ervare spoorsnyers op bystand vir doel­ treffende optrede teen misdadigers.”

Die forum se visie strek wyer as grondslagfase.

Die ECPF het reeds sy eerste goed toegeruste voer­tuig aangeskaf vir doeltreffende patrolle­ ring wat weens sigbaarheid geloofwaardigheid in die gemeenskap tot gevolg het.

Gereelde patrollies per voertuig en te voet in risikogebiede asook voorstaandienste in samewerking met die polisie het reeds ’n positiewe impak op misdaadvoorkoming.

Die totstandkoming van die ECPF einde verlede jaar het gespruit uit die nasionale noodweer-

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plan wat die Namibië Landbou Unie (NLU) in al die streke van Namibië uitrol – ’n reuse-taak wat nog aan die gang is. “Die Gobabis Streeklandbou Unie (GSLU) het suksesvolle modelle van ander misdaadvoorkomingsforums as ver­trek­punt gebruik om die ECPF van die grond af te kry,” sê Koos.

Die ECPF is aktief in ’n groot gebied wat strek van wes (Gobabis) na oos (Buitepos) en noord (Epukiro) na suid (Aminuis). Een van die dringende prioriteite is om ’n databasis vir misdaadstatistieke te ontwikkel. Bevindinge hieruit sal onder meer help om gedragspatrone en brandpunte (hot spots) van kriminele aktiwiteite te bepaal.

“Soos in die res van die land ervaar die ooste ook ’n skerp toename in misdaad terwyl die polisie se hulpbronne beperk is om vee- en wilddiewe vas te trek. Gemeenskappe moet eenvoudig betrokke raak,” meen Jan. “Daar word lankal nie meer vir die pot geslag nie. Die verskoning van ‘ons is honger’, is pure bog want dan steel en slag jy nie 19 skape of 23 beeste op ’n slag nie. Dit is uitgeslape georgani­ seerde netwerke wat oral aktief is en ontbloot moet word. By van ons boere word op ’n weeklikse grondslag gesteel.”

Jan wys voorts op die uitdaging om die no­ di­ge bewyse vir inhegtenisneming te kry. “As jy verdagtes betrap, moet die vleis gekry word om as bewysstukke te dien.” Deeglike ondersoeke en waterdigte bewyse ondersteun die regsproses end-uit.

Volgens Jan word wilddiefstal gekenmerk deur strikke wat teen grensheinings van plase gestel word. “Die diewe gaan ook in met honde, as-

January-February 2022

segaaie en selfs gewere om wild van kant te maak.

Vee word weer in krale vasgekeer en daar geslag of aangejaag na ’n beskutte slagplek in die veld van waar dit na ’n sentrale punt geneem word vir oplaai deur taxi’s of ander voertuie.”

Uit ’n gesprek met Koos was dit duidelik dat dit in landsbelang is om ’n teenmisdaadveldtog volhoubaar te bedryf maar hiervoor is borgskappe en finansies nodig. Inkomste uit ledegeld kan ongelukkig nie al die uitgawes dek nie. “Ek dink nou maar aan onderhoudsbehoef­tes van die voer­tuie waaronder bande en batterye, meer gesofistikeerde toerusting soos CCTV-waarnemingstoestelle en ander tegnologiese hulpmiddels. Selfs flitse en batterye is nodig.”

Op die ou end baat die sakegemeenskap ook by so ’n forum wat vir ’n meer misdaadvrye omge­ wing beding terwyl finansiële verliese weens vee- en wilddiefstal net so ’n groot uitwerking op ondernemings se omset het, meen Koos.

Voornemende lede en borge kan met die ECPFsekretaresse, Cheryl Pienaar, by eastcrim@gmail. com of 081 292 5086 in verbinding tree of Koos by 081 127 9958.

(Wat aanvanklik ’n nasionale veiligheidsplan was, het nou ’n NLU-noodweerplan geword om nog uitdagings afgesien van toenemende misdaad aan te spreek. Leiding hoe om proaktiewe strukture en kommunikasienetwerke te vestig is reeds in drie streke – Khomas, Omaheke en //Karas – afgehandel. Forums wat hieruit in omgewings tot stand kom, sal ook aandag gee aan kwessies soos veldbrande en plae. In die nuwe jaar sal die oorblywende streke besoek word.)

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Padlangs met die NLU

Roelie Venter

Terugvoer en beplanning Die jaarlikse beplanningsessie van die NLU en LPO kyk in die eerste plek na die doeltreffendheid van die twee organisasies. By dié onlangse geleentheid is terugvoer gedeel oor die streekkongresse op Otjiwarongo, Keetmanshoop en in Windhoek. Die tema “verander die fatsoen van my wêreld” het die soeklig laat val op ver­ anderende en vernuwende denke.

Op LPO-vlak het voorsitter Thinus ­Pretorius gewys op verandering en aanpassing op produksievlak, terwyl NLU-president Piet ­Gouws gefokus het op vernuwing op organisa­to­riese vlak.

Terselfdertyd is terugvoer uit die NLU-jaar­ verslag gegee oor onder meer mensdierkon­ flik, mynbedrywighede op plase, die toekoms van waterbronne, sinergie tussen landbouunies, grondhervormingskwessies (byvoorbeeld grondbelasting en grondwaardasie), lewenskwaliteit van plaaswerkers, die Landbouhandelsforum, uitvoerregulasies asook die

bosbouwet en regulasies om die veldbrand­ kwessie aan te spreek. Oor laasgenoemde heers groot opgewondenheid deurdat ’n subkomitee onder die vaandel van die grondhervormings­ komitee nou plaasbesoeke gaan doen om ­seker te maak die nodige voorsorgmaatreëls teen veld­brande word getref. Strukture is nou in plek om dié probleem aan te spreek.

Die uitrol van die NLU se landelike veiligheids­ plan, die vordering daarvan en suksesse tot dus­ver was ewe sterk op die voorgrond.

Melding is verder gemaak van Covid-19 se geweldige impak op die land en die ongeloof­ li­ke samewerking binne gemeenskappe wat daaruit gespruit het. Selfs die streekkongresse het nog gebuk gegaan onder beperkte getalle wat toegelaat kon word en voorskrifte soos die handhawing van sosiale afstand. In die geheel is die kongresse in ’n baie positiewe lig ervaar met goeie interaksie omdat lede in die klei­ner, minder formele opset meer op

hul gemak was om vrae te vra. Die groot jaarlikse kongres word wel steeds belangrik geag vir verkiesings van bestuurslede.

Die dagbestuur van die NLU bly onveranderd met Pieter Gouws se herverkiesing as voorsitter, Thinus Pretorius as ondervoorsitter, Martin Hilbert (finansies), Hellmut Förtsch (LWV) en Roelie Venter (uitvoerende bestuurder).

Op streekvlak is twee veranderings aangekondig. Kallie von Kühne van Gobabis word vervang met Wilfried Pack en Piet Stoman van die Grootfontein-Tsumeb-Otavi deur Dawie Kok. Beide die uitgetrede verteenwoordigers het vir baie jare ’n lojale diens aan die boeregemeenskap van Namibië gelewer. Hul bydraes word hoog op prys gestel.

Vordering is taamlik goed, maar van die be­ drywe se vooruitgang word belemmer deur die beperkende uitwerking van sommige re­geringsbesluite of ’n gebrek aan proak28 tiewe optrede.

NLU se ongelooflike reikwydte In ’n neutedop vertel die spinnekop-diagram p­ resies waarmee die NLU hom besig hou. As die stem van die kommersiële boer word aksies op haas elke denk­bare gebied gedryf om waarde toe te voeg tot landbou, maar veral om ’n volhoubare, winsgewende produksie- en bemarkingsomgewing vir boere in die land te bly beding. Selfs NLU se bestuur en perso­ neel was verbaas om te sien by hoeveel verskillende Meatco

Bok

Inkomstebelasting & BTW

Infrastruktuur

NEEEB

Skaapwaardeketting VCF

aksies hulle daagliks betrokke is toe uitvoe­rende be­ stuurder Roelie Venter dié diagram aan hulle voorgehou het. Voorwaar ’n omvattende oorsig oor talryke bedrywighede! Van die aksies en spe­siale projekte word in samewerking met kundiges in verskeie velde gedryf om in die kortste moontlike tyd die beste uitkomste te kry. Uit dié diagram is dit duidelik dat van die funksies van die regering oorskuif na georgani­

Skaapskema

Volhoubare beeswaardeketting

Waterwet & akwiferbestuur

Water

LPO

Finansies en lede

Kommunikasie

(Nuusbrief, AgriForum, Web, Sosiale media, Pers)

2de Grondkonferensie & Ancestral Rights

EPL databasis

Herlewingslandbou Grond

Mensdierkonflik

Olifante

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Bosbouwet, regulasies, veldbrande

Bosbou

Streekmisdaadforums & kameras

JCPF & MOU

Roof- en ander diere

Plaasuitsettings

Arbeidsverhoudinge op plase

Vark

Bemarkingskema

NAPHA

Wildlife Bill

Suiwel

Heropbou

Pluimvee

Eierinvoer

Veiligheid Houtskool

Bedrywe

LRAC & HLC

Regte van eienaars

Vee- & wilddiefstal

Fokus

Land Bill

Gronddatabasis

Leonardville-uraan

Mynwese

Dienslewering staatsamptenare

Belasting

seerde strukture soos die NLU, wat ’n hoër werkla­ ding meebring. Dit het ook onder meer gelei tot die vestiging en byhou van statistieke en databasisse om in ’n groot nasionale behoefte te voorsien. Daaronder tel misdaad in landelike gebiede, grondeienaarskap, mynbou op plase en roofdierverliese. Van die inligting word met die regering op versoek gedeel. By nadere beskouing van al die tentakels is dit voor-diehand-liggend dat die NLU ’n onmisbare rol in die land vervul – op plaas-, streek- en regeringsvlak.

Swakara

Akkerbou

LWV Kapasiteit Minimumloon & Loonopname Plaaswerkersprojek

Regering

Sinergie

Leierskap, life skills, motivering Ekonomiese navorsing

Navorsing, GMO

Korporatiewe lede

Agri Chamber, Trade Forum Farmers Unions:

NNFU, NECFU, PDCFU

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Padlangs met die NLU

Intussen is besoek gebring aan die NLU se korporatiewe vennote om ver­ anderende voorkeure en behoeftes te bepaal, terwyl die LWV nou betrokke was in die proses om ’n nuwe minimum loon vir plaaswerkers te beding.

Die NLU-bestuur moedig boere aan om te­ rug­voer te gee, betrokke te raak en boerever­ enigingvergaderings by te woon, waar gedetailleerde inligting aan hulle deurgegee word.

Die breë publiek kan ook betrokke te raak om 27

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projekte in belang van landbou te dryf. Die vraag moenie wees wat kry ek uit die NLU nie, maar eerder wat kan ek bydra?

Produksiekoste en prystendense Inflasie het verhoog en staan op 8,8%. Die verwagting is dat die persentasie van die vierde kwartaal hoër kan wees weens duurder brandstof en ander prysstygings. Kapitaaluitgawes (styging van 21%) en brandstof (styging van sowat 18%) op ’n jaarbasis was die grootste by-

January-February 2022

draers tot verhoogde inflasie in die tweede en derde kwartaal van 2021. Eweneens het die­ re­medisyne se koste met 11% geklim, onderhoud en vaste verbeterings met 10% gestyg en voer/lek met 7%. Die swakker N$ het voorts ’n negatiewe uitwerking op ingevoerde produkte waarvan pryse ook gestyg het.

Ureum- en fosfaatpryse het die afgelope jaar met onderskeidelik 55,21% en 43,49% gestyg met nog verhogings wat verwag word.

Beespryse het met 18,68% en skaappryse

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padlangs met die nlu

met 21,19% geklim. Koei- en speenkalfproduksie het sy winsgewende voordeel teen­oor osse behou. Die oorskakeling van speenkalwers na osse het wel verbeter, maar is nog steeds negatief op N$-25.87 per ha. Skaapboerdery vaar goed op N$40.93 per ha.

Wat bemarking betref, het die uitvoer van lewende beeste met 18,72% afgeneem teenoor lewende skaap- en bokuitvoer wat onderskeidelik met 21,21% en 38,56% toegeneem het. Die beesvleisuitvoerabattoirs se deurset het met 10,95% verhoog teenoor ’n afname van 34% by Klas C-abattoirs.

Besoek aan ombudsman Die NLU het ’n hoflikheidsbesoek aan die nuut aangestelde ombuds­ man, Basilius Dyakugha, gebring om sy kantoor in te lig oor die NLU-­visie, bedrywe onder sy vaandel, fokusareas en uitda­gings wat ervaar word. Die gesprek het in ’n goeie gees plaasgevind.

Spesifieke kwessies onder bespreking was: • Die kantoor van die ombudsman ontvang klagtes oor arbeidsaan­ geleenthede. Die Landbouwerkgewersvereniging (LWV) is bereid om op dié gebied ondersteuning te gee indien dit nodig geag word.

• Die gebrek aan dienslewering deur openbare instellings wat massiewe uitdagings aan die landbousektor stel om doeltreffend te kan funksioneer. Sekere bevoegde owerhede wat die verantwoordelikheid het om die implementering van regulasies te beheer, blyk nie voldoende bekwaam te wees vir effektiewe dienslewering nie.

• Die beskerming van Namibië se omgewing wat ’n kritiek belang­ rike mandaat van die kantoor van die ombudsman is. Die boor van honderde (indien nie duisende nie) boorgate vir uraan-eks­ plorasie in die Stampriet-waterbeheergebied is ’n groot bekommernis weens lewensbedreigende besoedeling. Die ombudsman is gevra om dié ernstige kwessie dringend te ondersoek.

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Interessante brokkies oor pryse uit NLU-publikasies die afgelope 75 jaar • In die begin sestigerjare was pryse vir beeste 30c per kg, vir kal­ wers 20c en vir varke, skape en bokke 5c per kg.

• In 1976 het geregistreerde Bonsmarabulle vir R1 500 stuks verkoop.

Egte Skotse whisky was toe net ’n rapsie oor die R4 per bottel. ’n Kantelbak 250-sleepwa se prys was R580.50. Bobbejaan-doringdraad kon jy vir R27.50 vir ’n rol van 213 meter koop, T-tipe 1,2 meter ystersparre van Yskor het ’n skrale R15 vir ’n honderd gekos en 1,8 Y-tipe ysterpale was 99c elk. ’n Homelite-waterpomp het toe R375 gekos en ’n geweerkluis R180. Om jou skaaphonde te laat oplei was ’n skrale R20 per plaaseienaar, maak nie saak hoeveel honde per eienaar ingeskryf is nie. Die Nomad, ’n klein Chevvie, was toe ’n gewilde ryding wat berge kon klim en ’n halftonvrag met gemak kon vervoer. In dieselfde jaar (1976) is ’n luukse vier­ slaap­kamershuis in Windhoek met drie badkamers, lugversorging, ’n swembad en buitegeboue vir was en stryk en huishulpkwartiere vir R74 000 geadverteer. Die verkoper was bereid om af te kom tot N$54 000. Boere het toe R8 per nag vir verblyf in die Kalahari Sands Hotel betaal – bygesê ’n spesiale tarief vir drie besprekings.

• In die negentigerjare was Pinzgauer-beeste nog volop en volstruis­ velle hoog in aanvraag met N$400 wat vir ’n eerste graad vel betaal is. Ontbossing, vandag ’n woord op elke boer se lippe, is toe reeds met bosdoders soos Reclaim gedoen waarvan die koste N$91.48 per ha beloop het.

UNAM equipping the veterinarian you’ll need In the School of Veterinary Medicine, in 6 years we professionally train students for both companion and production animal, including wildlife practice.

These veterinarian doctors are educated in the one health approach, to protect the health of animals, people and the environment.

Our Bachelor degree is fully accredited by the Namibian Veterinary Council, and

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all our graduates qualify for unconditional registration as veterinarians, including an additional professional category in wildlife.

To offer our vets-in-training practice opportunities, or if you would like to enrol for studies with us, please contact:: Dr Anna Marais Associate Dean: School of Veterinary Medicine Email: amarais@unam.na Tel: +264 61 206 4146 January-February 2022

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‘Wees positief, dink nuut, gee die stokkie reg aan vir die nageslag’

Só vier Leonard se boerevereniging sy 70ste bestaansjaar

Leonardville het die naweek van 27 NoFoto’s: Annalize Burger vember gewys wat in ’n klein dorpie met min mense steek toe die boere­ vereniging sy sewentigste bestaansjaar luisterryk gevier het. Meer gepas kon die tema nie wees nie – “wees positief, dink nuut en gee die stokkie reg aan vir die nageslag”.

Pieter Martins, voorsitter van die Leonardville Boerevereniging, het in sy terugblik van 1951 tot 2021 vertel van Gert Heyns en sy span wat in moeilike, arm jare die boerevereniging gestig het om die boeregemeenskap te dien. “As kind en jong man onthou ek hoe van die bestuur in die vroeë sewentigerjare op Vrydae-aande Afrikaanse rolprente vertoon het om geld in te samel vir die bou van ’n boereverenigingsaal. Dit het later verander na veilings waar die Lede en gaste klink ’n glasie op die Leonardville Boerevereniging se sewentigste bestaansjaarvieringe. Op die voorboere­vereniging kommissie ver­dien grond in die middel ry is Roelie Venter, uitvoerende bestuurder van die NLU, en regs van hom Pieter Martins, voorsithet ter stywing van fondse.” ter van die boerevereniging.

Vandag nog word kommissie uit vei­ lings verdien nadat die boerevereni­ ging die veilingkrale by Agra gekoop het, sê Pieter. “Een van die vroeë jare se uitstaande veilings was toe 350 volstruise onder die hamer gekom het. Die hoogste prys vir ’n broeipaar was ’n allemintige N$20 000 in die kort tyd bloeitydperk van die volstruisbedryf,” onthou hy.

Die grootste veiling wat Pieter herroep het, was toe 7 000 bokke, van so ver as Outjo, opgeveil is. Kommissie van Gert Martins en Kobus van Wyk, wat as seremoniemeester opgetree, besig met die wynveiling ter stywing van die boere­ 1% het N$15 000 vir die boerevereni­ vereniging se fondse. ging ingebring.

“Danksy groot insette en harde werk spog die Leonardville Boerevereni­ging met een van die mooiste en grootste sale in die land. Daarom kon ons op ’n besondere wyse in ons eie ‘huis’ fees Bart Reed en Elmarie Burger sny die feeskoek wat vier in groot dankbaarheid teenoor voThalene Holz gebak het. rige voorsitters, bestuurslede en lede.

Die oudste huidige lede op ons fees Twee lede en hul eggenotes steek die feesfakkels aan net voor was die Van Tonder-egpaar Tollie en die feesdinee in 2011 ter viering van die sestigste bestaans­jaar.

Hyla op 81 jaar.”

Links is die Van Tonders (Tollie en Hyla) en regs die VermeuPieter het voorts gewys lens (Gert en Joey). op die boerevereniging wat graag ’n hand van hulp uitLeonardville Boerevereniging se ruim, netjiese saal met die veilingkrale regs op die agtergrond. Op die inlasfoto is die ingang na die boerevereni­ reik. So is tien vragte grasging se terrein. Die treffende embleem is met die 40ste bestaansjaarvie­ bale die afgelope twee jaar ringe in 1991 aangebring. geskenk aan boere in nood – weens droogte of veldbrande.

“Ons kyk op na waar ons hulp vandaan kom. Die lewe sterf as jy ophou droom.

Hoop sterf as jy ophou glo.

Liefde sterf as jy ophou omgee. Daarom moet ons elke dag, droom, glo, leef en omgee want elke dag word vir ons geleen,” het hy treffend afgesluit.

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NLU-president se verrykende feesboodskap “Wie onthou nog op die grondpaaie die watersak voor aan die mod­ der­skerm van die Ford F100 of Chev, afhangende van watter poli­tieke party jou ouers ondersteun het? Wie onthou nog die stowwerige, droë smaak van daardie koel water? Ek is oortuig daarvan daardie watersak was deel van minstens 46% van hierdie gehoor,” het die NLUpresident, Pieter Gouws, se inleidende feesboodskap gelui wat namens hom voorgelees is.

“Net toe ek dink die watersak is deel van die verlede en ons nou moet nuut dink oor verkoeling en koel water, adverteer Cymot waaragtig watersakke in hul Kersbrosjure.”

Nou hoe pas dit nou in by “wees positief, dink nuut en gee die stokkie reg aan”? – die tema van die Leonardville Boerevereniging se feesvieringe, het Pieter gevra toe hy die tema deurtrap het.

“Wat het die watersak nodig om effektief te wees? Beweging en verdamping. Die voertuig moet beweeg of die wind moet waai, maar daar moet beweging wees. Beweging lei tot verandering – van punt A na punt B of in temperatuur van warm na koud. Dit is ’n vaste beginsel. Só moet ons denke ook lei tot verandering, vernuwing en verbetering. Sekere beginsels staan vas, maar die verpakking en inhoud mag verander. Die watersak se voorkoms mag meer modern wees, die inhoud hoef nie slegs water te wees nie, maar die beginsels van verkoeling bly dieselfde. As die verpakking te dig is om lugvloei te bewerkstellig, sal die inhoud nie afkoel nie; daarom moet vernuwende denke en praktyke voortdurend aan bepaalde beginsels getoets word. Ondersoek die potensiële voordele van nuwe tekstiele en materiale by wyse van spreke, maar kritiek belangrike beginsels soos skuldlas, verhoudings, verhoogde bestokking teenoor verhoogde omset/inkomste, koste- en finansiële bestuur staan vas. Dit moet egter nie vernuwende sakeplanne, inisiatiewe vir herlewingslandbou en diversifikasie-geleenthede strem nie.”

Dit het Pieter gebring by “gee die stokkie reg aan” in verouderende boeregemeenskappe. “Die gemiddelde ouderdom van Leonardville

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se boerevereniginglede is 58 jaar met net 30% wat jonger as vyftig jaar is. ’n Skrale 12% is tussen 0 en 40 jaar oud. As ons oor 30 jaar die eeufees wil vier, sal ons huidige generasie die stokkie reg vir die nuwe geslag moet aangee.”

Volgens Pieter het elke dekade sy unieke uitdagings en die volgende drie gaan vir seker meer intens wees en meer innoverende denke en vasbyt verg van diegene wat in ons voetspore moet volg. “Inlig­ ting raak by die dag meer en meer beskikbaar, net so vinnig verou­ derd en daarmee saam ook meer verwarrend. Dit raak ook finansieel en emosioneel al moeiliker om die stokkie aan te gee. Mense leef al gesonder en langer en daarom sal ons waarskynlik vir langer, hand op die stokkie, moet saamhardloop en langsamerhand die greep verslap namate die pylvak-atleet die stokkie stewiger vat om die ritme en pas te kry.”

Pieter meen waarskynlik sal die stokkie se oorgee-aksie eerder een van stoot en nie rem moet wees nie. “Dit verg kommunikasie, inoefe­ ning en wedersydse vertroue. Die ouer boere sal saam met die jonge­ res vernuwend moet dink om uitdagings te aanvaar. Daarsonder gaan die stokkie val.”

Hy het van die onderstelling uitgegaan dat vaste, beproefde begin­ sels van die ouer generasie versoen kan word met moder­ner, ver­be­ terde tegnieke en ontwikkelinge van die jonger generasie. “Ons is immers al stadiger van pas en hulle baie meer energiek en lewens­ lustig.”

Oor “wees meer positief” was Pieter se wagwoord om elke dag iets te vind om voor dankbaar te wees. “Dit is baie makliker as wat ’n mens dink want die voorreg om te mag boer, om te poog om die Skepping beter te maak of dan eerder in stand te hou, laat die opgewondenheid in jou are bruis want boer wees bly die edelste beroep. Mag daar oor 30 jaar teruggekyk word en julle uit Psalm 18 kan sê: “Wat ons ontvang het van die Here is vir ons goed. ’n Pragtige deel is vir ons afgemeet. Die meetsnoere het op die regte plekke geval.”

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Stampriet-landboudorp nader Nog net 18 maande en Roots se Stampriet-land­ boudorp is in vol produksie – van groente en vrugte tot vleis. Intussen kan veral suideboe­re uitsien na die bekendstelling van die aftree-­ oord in Februarie volgende jaar. ’n Mediese sen­trum is reeds in bedryf wat huidige inwo­ ners bedien.

Dit is die goeie nuus van dr Johan Rieckert wat sewe jaar gelede saam met mede-direkteur en stigterslid Salomon Kalondo geboorte gegee het aan ’n droom vir die vestiging van landwye landboudorpe. Waardetoevoeging lê die grondslag in die verskeie produksie-arms om nasionale voedselsekerheid te be­vorder en Namibië minder afhanklik van voedselinvoer te maak.

“Die werklikheid is dat ’n mens teen van­ dag se grondpryse moeilik jou belegging in ’n gewone plaas sal kan uitboer,” sê dr Riec­ kert, self al ’n jare lange boer. Hierteenoor maak die landboudorp-model voorsiening vir kleinboere met bekostigbare ­kleinhoe­wes van tussen 10 en 86 ha waarop intensief en we­ten­skaplik geboer word – gerugsteun deur die ver­skaffing van infrastruktuur, opleiding, be­marking en logistiek. Die titelaktes dien as sekuriteit vir finansiering.”

Vir diegene wat nie wil boer nie, maar ’n agrilewenstyl wil geniet, is die 1 ha-opsie gewild – ook vir gesinne met skoolgaande kinders. Die Roots-skool en -koshuis het begin vanjaar sy deure oopgemaak. Die leerlingtal staan reeds op 160 met bykans 20% van die kinders wat inwoners van die Roots-dorpie is.

Só gesog is die eiesoortige landboumodel dat dit selfs onlangs Suid-Afrikaanse bloot­ stelling gekry het op kykNET se Prontuit-aktu­ aliteitsprogram. “Soos die projek gegroei en al hoe meer mense betrokke geraak of aan­ge­ stel is, het ons gaan kyk na die Roots-projek se impak op die plaaslike ekonomie. ’n Goeie voorbeeld is dat die OK Foods-winkel se omset viervoudig toegeneem het soos die mense al meer op die landboudorp word. Van die mense in die omgewing wat nie werk gehad

Die hartland van Stampriet se Roots-projek uit die lug.

het nie, het by die projek ingeval en dra nou by tot die ekonomie van die land,” sê direk­ teur Salomon.

Eintlik werk die konsep eenvoudig, het dr Rieckert op Prontuit bygevoeg: “’n Klomp mense boer saam en sinergie heers om uiteindelik megaboerstatus te verwerf.” Volgens hom duur dit sowat nege jaar om ’n landboudorp te vestig en op te bou, waarvan nog ’n paar in die land op pad is – by Otjiwarongo, Hentiesbaai, tussen Otavi en Tsumeb asook by Eenana. Hy het die versekering gegee dat hulpbronbestuur­ met groot omsigtigheid gedoen word om volhoubare produksie te verseker.

Intussen het ’n moderne verpakkingsaanleg vir vars produkte verrys waarvan die pro­ ses vir goedkeuring aan internasionale voedselstandaarde al ver gevorder het.

Om die omvang van die projek te besef is dit net nodig om na die grootte van die perso­ neelkorps te kyk. Roots het tans 320 permanente werkers onder wie hoofbestuurder

Dr Johan Rieckert voor die kameras vir ’n opname vir die kykNET-program Prontuit. (Foto: Simon Sonnekus) 32

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January-February 2022

Christo Horn en twaalf bestuurders (oorhoofs, vir die verskillende vertakkings, logistiek, finansies en bemarking). Voorts tree twee Namibiese ondernemings, Kunshuis en Nuka­ Nuka, op as konsultante.

Smag jy na ’n plaasaftrede?

Vir boere, dorpenaars en stedelinge wat nog op kleiner skaal aktief en betrokke wil wees, bied die Roots-oord ’n ideale opsie. Die be­ kend­stelling van die 180 wooneenhede is einde Februarie volgende jaar.

“Ons sal die afgetrede, ervare boere se kennis met ope arms ontvang. Hulle het ’n wye keuse om by van die projekte betrokke te raak – byvoorbeeld die verbouing van groente in tonnels en die voer van diere. Vroue kan weer die wol van die merinoskape weef vir muurbe­ hangsels of matte of met hul tuisnywerheid­ produkte betrokke raak by die kafeteria om ’n ekstra geldjie te verdien,” is van die enkele voorbeelde wat dr Rieckert uitgelig het.

Medestigter en direkteur Salomon Kalondo tydens die Prontuit-opname. (Foto: Simon Sonnekus) www.agriforum.com.na

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vinnig vol produksie Vleis en suiwel Op dié gebied is groot dinge aan die gebeur om die volle waardeketting te ontsluit – vandaar die sterk fokus op verwerking. ’n Gevestigde mark is reeds vir hoendervleis deur middel van staatstenders gevestig, terwyl skaap- en varkvleis in Maart volgende jaar aan die beurt kom, sê dr Rieckert. “Daarvoor is ’n sentrale verslagtingsaanleg reeds gebou met voedselstandaard-sertifisering (ISO 2000 en HACCP) vir die Afrika-mark. Ons het reeds begin met ons uitvoer-aansoek onder die internasio­nale GAP-vaandel – ook vir groente en vrugte.”

Volgens dr Rieckert is markte vir versnitte lam- en varkvleis en verwerkte produkte soos spek, ham, maalvleis en wors reeds vasgemaak met die groot kettingwinkelgroepe in die land – Shoprite/Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar en Woer­mann Brock. Sy seun, Jano, is met sy akademiese landbou-agtergrond hier aan die stuur van sake.

Met die oog op verdere waardetoevoeging gaan ’n melkboerdery in die afsienbare toekoms op die been gebring word vir die maak van joghurt en kaas.

Groente en vrugte se vordering Dié vertakking is eerste gevestig en loop glad. Ook hier val die fokus sterk op waardetoevoeging deur van die produkte te verwerk in byvoorbeeld souse en konfyte. Terselfder-

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Omgee vir gemeenskap ... In totaal is 300 ha met die wegspring van die Roots-landboudorp by Stampriet oor ’n tyd­perk van 18 maande ontbos sedert die aanvang van die projek in 2015-16. Die bosse is verwerk tot houtskool en braaihout en aan die informele nedersetting geskenk wat nou nog daarvan gebruik. Heelwat van die werkloses hier lei nou ’n sinvolle bestaan danksy werkge­ leenthede wat Roots geskep het. Bemagtiging geskied ook deur opleiding.

tyd word markdiversifikasie toegepas tussen vars produkte met ’n beperkte rakleeftyd van sewe tot veertien dae en verwerkte produkte met ’n veel langer rakleeftyd.

Selfs uitvoer geskied al. Die eerste produkte op dié lys is songedroogde tamaties wat aan Italië gelewer word, asook pekanneute en rosyntjies wat by Red Sun in Suid-Afrika be­mark word.

Onder die verwerkte produkte tel vier souse wat reeds geregistreer is – drie brandrissie­ soorte (chili) en tamatiesous – en appel­lie­fie­ kon­f yt. “Die plan is om ook perske- en druiwe­ konfyt tot dié reeks by te voeg.”

Die grootste gros van die produkte word

aan die Namibiese mark gelewer.

Wat werk en wat nie Natuurlik is so ’n projek ’n leerskool want al doen ’n mens jou navorsing hoe deeglik, werk dit op papier nie noodwendig in die praktyk nie.

Dr Rieckert sê gewasse wat goed vaar, is appels (lae kouebehoefte), pekanneute, druiwe en perskes. “Sitrus en bloubessies is te rypgevoelig. Laasgenoemde kan wel vir beskerming onder nette verbou word, maar die artesiese waterbron by Stampriet se pH-waarde van sowat 8 is te hoog vir die behoefte van bloubessies se sowat 5 wat produksiekoste sal opjaag om suur by te voeg vir neutralisering.”

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‘Unite red meat industry to seize global opportunities’ The red meat industry should prepare itself for a window of prosperity. Such was the opinion of Jason Strong, managing director of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), at the recently held LRF-Aldam Stockman School. He, however, criticised the global red meat industry for its fractured nature. “The greatest challenge for producers lies in uniting the industry to seize global opportunities.”

Australian red meat is highly regarded the world over. It has a reputation for delivering on excellent eating quality, traceability, sustainability, food safety and taste. In addition, a built-in safety net forms part of the industry’s success as exporters can quickly divert products to different markets.

“Ensuring that customers are aware of the wide range of products we offer has been a strong focus point and forms an integral part of Australia’s ten-year strategy plan, Red Meat 2030.

The plan focuses on communities, livestock, environmental impact and markets.”

According to Jason, people’s perception is that the Australian red meat and livestock industry is attractive and increasingly lucrative.

“People feel good about eating red meat. Customers, consumers and communities recognise the role the industry plays in food production and security. They trust us to deliver high-value, high-quality products at affordable prices.”

Moreover, Red Meat 2030 was designed to focus on improving and setting the standard for world-class animal health, welfare, biosecurity and production practices while demonstrating leadership in sustainability, land, water and climate variability. “Through this strategy, we aim to advance economic resilience by increasing access to existing and new markets. We are a trusted brand that has been built on mutual trust and respect throughout the value chain.

This improves partnerships and ensures information sharing between stakeholders which reduces unnecessary government regulation.”

Jason added that the MLA concentrates on how the organisation can support the industry in creating and maintaining product value. “The objectives in the ten-year plan are centred on

doubling the value of Australian red meat products. The MLA’s five-year strategic plan highlights the organisation’s contribution towards Red Meat 2030 within the context of livestock production and the MLA’s purpose as a rural research and development corporation.”

Market overview Australia represents a small proportion of the global protein landscape. In total, the world consumes about 300 million tonnes of proteins.

Global production stands roughly at 70 million tonnes of beef with Australia’s estimated contribution of just over 1 million tonnes or 4%.

Australia exports red meat to more than 100 countries, supported by a large MLA international network with offices and liaisons in Europe, North Asia, the United States, the Middle East and North Africa, Dubai, Singapore, Southern Asia and China.

“Ten years ago, China was hardly mentioned when discussing Australian export markets. Today it is one of the top four importers of our beef.” Jason added that China has recently received tremendous global publicity due to increased demands for red meat because of African swine fever and the outbreak’s impact on the Chinese pork industry, consequently decimating populations. Although not threatening to human life, the disease is deadly to pigs with mortality rates approaching 100%. China is the world’s top pork producer and home to roughly half of the planet’s pigs.

On the other hand, Europe has traditional-

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“Over the past two decades global meat consumption has been steadily increasing at an average annual rate of 1% for beef, 2% for sheep, 1% for pork and 5% for poultry.” – Jason Strong ly been a long-time market for Australia. The United Kingdom was a big market before it became part of the European Union, leading to restricted market access. However, trade negotiations reached a conclusion in early 2021 when both Australia and the UK finalised new trade agreements.

Jason said that challenges can have either a positive or negative influence on red meat market activities. Over the past 18 months, positive drivers have included increased global retail demand, consumer shifts (health and trust), the outbreak of swine fever in China, domestic supply, exchange rate movements as well as competitor supply. Negative drivers are increased food service demands, economic growth/income, logistical challenges and geo-political landscapes.

“We have to be careful not to become too excited and blinded by one piece of good news or too depressed by really bad news.”

On why the outbreak of swine fever was a positive driver, Jason explained that over the past two years up to 50 million tonnes of pork protein has been pulled out of the market, creating a massive supply gap and an opportunity for beef, sheep and poultry producers. “Many opportunities exist in the global export market, but producers, stakeholders and authorities must show commitment in developing relationships and positioning themselves in these markets.”

Although a small producer, Australia played a big role in beef exports throughout 2020 as one of the four major exporters along with Brazil, the United States and India. Argentina, New Zealand and Canada followed closely. These seven countries each exported more than 453 600 tonnes of beef.

Australia’s total beef export value was estimated at just under A$10 billion (N$111,7 billion) and live cattle exports at A$1,6 billion (N$17,8 billion). North Asia is the largest importer of Australian beef products, followed by 36 the United States, Southern Asia, the

When determining which markets to target, Jason Strong of MLA, stated that population data should be considered but stakeholders should look at a household’s ability to purchase, which is a better indicator.

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‘Unite red meat industry to seize global opportunities’ Middle East and North Africa as well as the EU. With regards to per capita beef consumption, Australia was one of the largest in the world during 2020 with approximately 23,4 kg compared to the global average of 6,4 kg.

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Targeting beef markets When targeting beef export markets, Jason Strong, managing director Jason highlighted important aspects of Meat and Livestock Australia such as household income and consum- (MLA), who gave a presentation er purchase ability. “Population maps on successful strategies implegenerate excitement, but more has to mented by the Australian beef inbe considered than mere high popu- dustry in establishing new interlations. While population data is inter- national markets for well-sought esting, it is important to understand a after red meat products. household’s purchasing power when it comes to imported goods and red meat consumption.”

Due to years of hard work on diversifying red meat markets across the world, the MLA was able to, despite the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, ensure that disruptions were kept to a minimum, stabilising export volumes and values. “The significant hit taken by the global food service sector due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19, left many exporters with high-value cuts destined for these markets. A solution had to be found quickly.”

The MLA’s in-country Korea team worked with exporters to develop new market channels for high-value tenderloins. This was achieved through promotion schemes with retailers, e-commerce and meal-kit providers. “Korea became the largest importer of Australian tenderloin between June and August last year, a 58% increase from 2019.”

Fruthermore, the effects of the pandemic gave the MLA reason to refresh its True Aussie brand strategy, ensuring that it has a more consistent guideline for use in international markets. “We also license True Aussie logos, encouraging brand owners and customers to use them in their own marketing activities.”

Strategic priorities Whenever new markets are negotiated, the MLA investigated whether significant contributions can be made in doubling the monetary value of Australian red meat sales. Priority is then placed on strategically positioning red meat products as the preferred choice for consumers.

The MLA aims to improve economic and technical market access, which is achieved through branding and product promotion. “As our customer base becomes more global, the Australian red meat industry continuously seeks opportunities to align itself under the True Aussie brand identity.”

Producers are encouraged to remain up to speed with the latest breeding technologies, techniques and strategies to improve production standards, ensuring the availability of Australian beef, lamb and goat

meat. The MLA aids in developing educated ambassadors (staff, customers, media and influencers) to spread the word on local beef products.

Commercial facilitation is another aspect the MLA director highlighted, stating that it improves market access while cultivating commercial investments to further develop overall red meat sales and marketing presence. In this regard, the MLA has a dedicated team that looks at the latest in international marketing trends and consumer consumption systems.

“This has helped us to identify and target premium consumer markets.”

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the MLA and its marketing team took note of the fact that most global consumers have become health-conscious, focusing more on safety, quality and origins. These aspects have been priorities for the Australian red meat industry for some time.

Funding Highlighting the importance of funding due to lack of support for development in the Southern African meat industry, Jason shared information on the MLA’s financial structure and how it is funded by producer levies, the Australian government, industry co-investment and levies imposed on live exporters as well as on meat processors. He emphasised that the MLA does not do any political lobbying or advocacy work.

Levies are applied to every livestock transaction. They are then collected by the Australian department of agriculture and allocated to the MLA that, after consulting with industry role players, instruct various committees and councils to invest funds and provide support to necessary research and development programmes on behalf of the industry.

Cattle levies are divided into two categories (grass- and grainfed) where a total of A$5 (N$56.35) is applied per head per transaction. Funds are distributed to the MLA’s research and development, marketing, animal health and national residue survey departments.

The MLA receives additional funding from value-adders, pastoral companies, breeder societies, technology providers, international collaborators, state authorities, universities and entrepreneurs. This is used to improve innovations on automation, new high-value red meat products, animal disease testing and vaccination as well as technologies that foster sustainability, pain relief products, by-products, health and safety tools and digital solutions.

Put to the test Millions will remember the past 18 months for personal and financial hardships that they had to endure, both as employees and employers.

Jason expressed hope and encouraged farmers to remember that hard work, resilience and unity has aided businesses and farmers in surviving wave after wave of the pandemic, climate volatility, natural disasters, pests and diseases, trade tensions, global competition, political uncertainty and the emergence of alternative protein products.

“Our resolve has definitely been tested. Humanity’s way of communicating and our willingness to put other needs before our own made headlines around the globe. Despite being under constant pressure from consumers and activists, the red meat industry continues to remain strong.”

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Namibia’s strategy to target beef markets In an ever-changing world it is vital for the beef cattle industry and producers to understand the behaviour of customers. The industry must alter marketing and production strategies to fit the needs of expanding global markets while choosing preferred premium or economy pricing approaches. Dr Helmke Sartorius von Bach, cattle farmer and associate professor of agricultural economics at the University of Namibia (Unam), shared these expert opinions at the recently concluded Aldam stockman school.

“The beef industry must contend with effective promotion schemes for specific customers and new environments. The importance of finding appropriate sales avenues and the right packaging as well as branding for beef products to convey messages that resonate with evolving markets need to be discussed.”

Beef demands will increase by up to 105 million tonnes for an estimated global population of 10 billion people by 2050, says Dr Helmke. “It is expected that beef consumption will remain high in high-income countries with low consumption in low-income societies. However, beef consumption in China is expected to rise significantly as is already evident.”

He encouraged farmers, especially Namibian producers, to adapt to the latest technologies and farming practices to remain competitive against cheaper alternative protein products such as pork, poultry and fish that are causing disruptions in the meat sector.

However, Dr Helmke predicts that conventional meat and alternative products will co-exist and can complement each other in the foreseeable future.

Cattle farmers were asked to work on improving animal welfare, efficient value chain strategies and traceability systems. “It is important for producers to promote grass-fed and free-range production, guaranteed eating quality, no added hormones and no herd antibiotics.”

With regards to Namibia’s current situation, Dr Helmke provided statistics that indicated how cattle numbers have continued to decrease since 1960. Namibia currently has the same herd population as in the 1930s. He also noted that the relative contribution of livestock has dropped since 2010, which has had an adverse effect on the gross domestic product. Moreover, ox producers have increasingly changed to weaner production systems due to significant differences in price.

He encouraged Namibian stakeholders to keep up to date with international market standards and trends. “This means do not jump around with brand or market identity. We need uniform packaging and standardised products with similar advertising messages.”

In conclusion he reiterated that it is important for the Namibian beef industry to improve beef inspector’s independence while demonstrating transparency and minimising negative publicity.

Dr Helmke Sartorius von Bach, a cattle farmer and associate professor of agricultural economics at Unam, who gave a presentation on Namibia’s strategy to target international beef markets at the twelve Livestock Registering Federation’s (LRF) stockman school. He is wellknown for his work in analysing the Namibian beef industry and its progress when compared to global trends.

The graph above illustrates the changes in meat consumption in selected countries between 1998 and 2018. This indicates how Australia, Japan and the USA have decreased their consumption of beef and veal (per capita) while China and Indonesia have increased theirs.

Over the past three years, China has significantly increased its amount of imported beef products. “Due to animal health concerns in Argentina, which has been the largest exporter of beef to China, a vacuum has been created that must now be filled until Argentina is ready to resume exports.” Dr Helmke von Bach urged stakeholders to take note of these changes in global markets and to strategically adapt marketing plans. www.agriforum.com.na

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Namibia’s traceability success Traceability is indispensable for lucrative market access – something the livestock sector of Namibia had already realised in 1996 after the outbreak of mad cow disease in the United Kingdom.

Three years later, the FANMeat system was declared a national scheme to assure meat quality and safety to the consumer. Today, in conjunction with the NamLITS traceability system, FANMeat serves as a marketing tool, holding the industry to a higher standard and ultimately why Namibia was given access to large import markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Norway, China and South Africa.

In his address at the recent Aldam Stockman School, Paul Strydom, general manager of the Meat Board of Namibia, provided insight into the country’s traceability system. “We investigated several schemes across the world and finally decided on the FANMeat scheme. Namibia could purchase massive traceability schemes across the world, but we started small and developed the software from scratch. It was an absolute necessity to have standards and traceability in place as a quality assurance across the value chain to assist with animal health management in the country.”

The European Union, the Meat Board and the directorate of veterinary services provided the funds to make this scheme possible. In addition, producers finance almost 70% of the traceability system through a levy of N$76 per animal, assisted by abattoirs paying 50% of the levy. Paul said it was through extensive negotiations that producers agreed to pay this levy and another

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one for essential veterinary services sustaining the beef industry with an annual income of approximately N$30 million.

A combination of data collection, an online software programme and the Meat Board helpdesk makes it possible for farmers to register and manage their herds on the central database with the needed assistance. Furthermore, the Meat Board currently works on privately supported extension services to producers across the value chain. “The biggest role we play and where most of our efforts are focused on is support to the directorate of veterinary services to contain animal diseases. Other services include information systems, ear tag distribution, creating awareness and communication,” said Paul.

How does the traceability system work?

It is run by a centralised system and database at the Meat Board, called NamLITS. Radio frequency identification devices (RFID tags) are used to trace animals. Livestock keepers must register themselves and their livestock on the system.

Animals are registered at birth and their movement are tracked from then up to slaughter. According to Paul, livestock needs to be branded, tagged and registered at six months old before they may be moved. Animals need a movement permit and a NamLITS register as well.

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also created different tags for the commercial and the northern communal areas.

The Zambezi region, which is foot-and-mouth disease Paul Strydom endemic area, uses a white tag. For other areas north of the veterinary cordon fence, outside Zambezi, orange tags apply while red tags are for livestock imported from South Africa. Electronic readers make it possible to scan tags. Paul added that this equipment is expensive, but producers still buy it, especially larger ox producers, some weaner producers and auctioneers. It is fast and eliminates reading and transcription errors. Livestock data and statistics received from these readers can deter stock theft and improve animal handling at markets, especially at auctions.

Challenges As can be expected, some challenges arose through the years, especially regarding the accuracy of the system. The Meat Board is now in the process of checking if information on the database is consistent and correspond with the reality on farms.

Meanwhile, new issues are coming to the fore, such as the long-term sustainability of the industry, Paul added. He also mentioned that the compliance and enforcement by the directorate of Tagging requirements veterinary services are not up to standard. “They Animals receive two tags – the RFID tag on the could be stricter. Concurrently, a need for more left ear and the other one on the right. Namibia manpower exists.”

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‘Genomics provides the biggest lift in accuracy’ Progress requires recording genetic traits related to profitability and sustainability.

Such is the opinion of Stephen Miller, director of Australia’s animal genetics and breeding unit (AGBU), who explained the value of genomics in modern day cattle breeding.

“It has made an enormous difference with large breeds in Breedplan and AGBU programmes.”

Stephen, an expert in the field of animal genetics and breeding, said that genomics is likely to improve the efficiency of beef cattle programmes through the incorporation of genomic predictions into traditional genetic evaluations. “The global dairy industry has continued to show significant change due to the use of genomic selection. The onus is now on the beef industry to successfully implement this technology,” he said in his presentation at the LRF-Aldam stockman school.

In several of his research papers, the AGBU director gave credit to the genetic improvement of beef cattle over several decades. He reiterated how gains have been noted in traits that comprise of recording and evaluation. These traits are obtained easily and at low cost. They are useful in cattle management programmes and include birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight and mature cow weight. Furthermore, calving ease, birth dates and breeding dates form the basis of fertility evaluations, he added.

Simultaneously he asked what the main goals of selection are. “Is it to make cattle bigger, give them more muscle or to make them more efficient?” He stressed the main goal should be to achieve true performance prediction at an early age, or near enough for the benefit of the beef industry. “In the past genotyping was king. Now it is being overpowered by genomics. Research suggests that much noise surrounds pheno- and genotyping, while genomics gives breeders the best scenario of cattle performance. It remains important to remember

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footprint they should not stop recording – no measurement means no change. “The American Angus Association has been recording since 1972, but are now doing more genotyping due to its accuracy to continuously improve. Animals with the best phenotype do not necessarily have the best genetic traits. The best way to implement genomic information into genetic improvement programmes is simply to allow genomic information to contribute to an animal’s genetic evaluation (EPD or EBV).”

Stephen explained that there are many ways for this to be done. The simplest and most adopted approach in some countries is a blending of traditional EBVs based on phenotype and pedigree combined with genomic EBVs based solely on genetic markers. This means two sources of information are weighted as a function of the accuracy of two predictions. “This approach has been implemented by the American Angus Association where a panel of markers is used to predict carcass traits combined with an animal’s traditional EPD. Another approach is to include the two sources of information into a multiple trait genetic evaluation model. This has been applied in Australia through Breedplan to generate a tenderness EPD in Brahman cattle.”

In conclusion, Stephen said that genomic information does not necessarily change how cattle will be selected. Selection will still be based on genetic evaluations such as EPD or EBV. Multiple trait selection will not change with the addition of genomics, but be enhanced through combining all genetic evaluations while considering the economic importance of each trait in applying the appropriate weight to determine an overall animal index value for selection. In this way trait accuracy will be increased. Genomics will also enhance EBVs for previously unavailable and difficult to measure traits such as feed efficiency and meat quality.”

Stephen Miller, director of Australia’s animal genetics and breeding unit (AGBU), who gave an overview of the increasing value of genomics in modern day cattle breeding programmes. He served as the director of research for the American Angus Association and as principal scientist with the animal genomics team at AgResearch (Ltd) in New Zealand.

that it is still a best guess.”

The primary challenge for the global beef industry, according to Stephen, is required resource population that relates genomic profiling to phenotypic performance. This is quite large and will require collaboration and significant investment from stakeholders.

“Another challenge is the requirement of genomic predictions to function across beef cattle breeds, which will require den­ ser marker panels. Opportunities to increase genetic progress include increased accuracy of selection, reduced generation interval, increased selection intensity and better utilisation of limited recording capacity such as individual feed intake.”

With regards to electronic recording, Stephen explained that a single genotyping event could provide information throughout the production chain, which will create incentives for genetic change. “Genomics will create new opportunities for reproductive technologies such as embryo transfer, as elite females will be identified with increased accuracy.”

Stephen referenced the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) who first used the single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GTBLUP) method to best calculate estimated breeding values (EBVs).

He warned farmers that although genomics has arrived and is leaving a definitive

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Crucial factors for herd health Biosecurity has long been described as a complex concept that has a large impact on a farmer’s productivity. However, Dr Schabort Froneman, technical manager at Zoetis South Africa, describes biosecurity as the prevention of new diseases in animal herds while efficiently managing the spread of existing diseases. “It is all about decreasing the risk of importing diseases.”

During his presentation at the Livestock Registration Federation’s (LRF) Aldam stockDr Schabort Froneman man school Dr Froneman advised farmers to only buy cattle from breeders who have had their animals tested and can provide relevant documentation. If this cannot be provided, he encouraged farmers to implement appropriate quarantine strategies to test and observe incoming cattle to identify potential disease carriers.

Simultaneously, vaccination protocols must be in place.

Equally important is to monitor neighbouring herds and wildlife such as buffaloes, jackals and rodents for disease outbreaks in the immediate environment. Feed, water, medical supplies, equipment, vehicles and shoes also need to be cleaned regularly when entering pens or other animal facilities such as chicken coops.

Other factors that farmers need to consider to improve herd health includes genetic selection, nutrition and parasite management, he added.

Genetic selection Many breeders are already implementing this strategy, according to Dr Froneman. One such example is the culling of infertile cows or heifers. “This means breeders select for improved animal health by weeding out the weak.”

Selection for high reproduction and increased production were other factors the expert briefly highlighted. This includes adaptability characteristics, culling animals that do not meet breed standards or need repetitive medical treatment or assistance. “Measuring and record-keeping are two extremely important principles that each farmer must have in his arsenal to remain successful.”

about risk mitigation. Vaccinations biologically equip animals to ward off disease. Farmers are encouraged to vaccinate to comply with animal health laws and regulations as set out by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and respective governments.”

Asked why vaccines fail, Dr Froneman stated that body condition, nutrition and stress levels are contributory factors that need to be considered beforehand. Damage to vaccines due to incorrect handling or packaging was also discussed. Other factors he warned farmers about are antigen overload, colostrum and passive immunity levels during vaccination, the concurrent administration of other medicines and neglecting to administer immune boosters.

“It is important to consult local veterinarians to compile and integrate efficient vaccination programmes that are uniquely fit to the specific farm’s environment, geography and production system. Reading the vaccine label for species indication, mixing instructions, dosage, expiry date, special precautions or warnings is also important.”

Nutrition A functional immune system is necessary to sustain life. Healthy immune systems depend on ingested nutrients. Without proper nutrition, the immune system cannot adequately respond to vaccination and is more prone to diseases.

During periods of stress, animals may have higher nutrient requirements. For every degree body temperature above normal, the metabolic rate increases by between 10% and 13%.

“Every farm is however different, with varying animal health challenges. This is why good veterinarians and animal nutritionists recommend supplementation, especially during periods of high stress.”

Parasites The impact of parasites is often underestimated in beef herds, according to Dr Froneman. “Statistically speaking the American industry estimated an annual production loss of close to US$2 billion (N$29,5 billion) due to gastrointestinal roundworms alone.”

Stressed, diseased, undernourished and malnourished animals are often more susceptible to internal parasites, he explained.

With regards to external parasites (ticks, tampans, lice, mites, flies and mosquitos), Dr Froneman said that these are responsible for diseases such as African and Asian redwater, heartwater, anaplasmosis, theileriosis, lumpy skin, rift valley fever, ephemeral fever, pinkeye as well as parafilaria. “The control strategy will largely depend on endemic versus epidemic status and vector distribution.”

Vaccination “We vaccinate to prevent mortalities and decreased productivity. It is www.agriforum.com.na

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Veteraanboere staan steeds hul plek vol Ruhan Bothma

Twee deurwinterde suideboere is ’n toonbeeld daarvan dat ’n mens nooit te oud word om georganiseerde landbou te dien nie. Hoewel die jare al goed aangestap het vir Rainer Ling en Pieter Boltman en hulle nie meer in aktiewe hoedanig­heid by die Namibië Landbou Unie (NLU) betrokke is nie, bly hulle gewillig om raad te gee wanneer hulle genader word. En dit gebeur nog gereeld. Leiers van die Mariental Streeklandbou Unie (MSLU) van die NLU is trots op die twee pio­nier­lede – tot so ’n mate dat Agriforum gevra is om hul storie te vertel.

Chris Smith, voorsitter van die MSLU, sê die twee veteraanboere was albei vroeër in ’n mindere of meerdere mate by die landspolitiek betrokke en beleidmakers vir die streek, veral op die gebied van landbou. “Hulle het breedvoerige kennis en ervaring oor landbou, ver­ al die skaapbedryf, en ons klop graag aan hul deure vir advies, veral in die geval van sake in nasionale belang.” Jako van Wyk, wat namens die MSLU in die uitvoerende raad van die NLU dien, meen bydraes van sulke harde­baarde is van onskatbare waarde. Volgens beide die MSLU-leiers is hulle dankbaar om die twee here in hul geledere te hê wat nie skroom om dié streekliggaam met raad en daad by te staan nie.

Gepas en ter aansluiting hierby het P ­ ieter Gouws, president van die NLU, in sy te­rug­ blik op dié landbou-unie se bestaan van 75 jaar, hulde aan die landbouleiers van ouds ge­bring tydens die onlangse streekvergaderings: “Hulle het die grondslag vir die NLU en die landboubedryf in die geheel gelê. Hulle het hul omgewings ontleed en met innove­ren­de denke elke uitdaging positief aangepak. Dit was nie altyd maklik nie, maar hulle het geleenthede raakgesien. Dit bewys dat die NLU groter is as die individue wat hom gelei het.

Daarom sal hy nog vir 75 jaar staan.”

Kennis oor landbou mag nie verlore gaan nie. Daar is ’n hele aantal ouer boere in die land wat hul kundigheid en ervaring met die jonger geslag kan én wil deel waarvan die Ma-

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Rainer Ling wat sedert 1975 lid is van die Uhlenhorst Boerevereniging. Hy was 30 jaar lank ’n be­ stuurslid van die Uhlenhorst BV, bestuurslid van die KTG (waarvan twee jaar as ondervoorsitter), agt jaar lank bestuurslid van Napha (waarvan hy twee jaar as ondervoorsitter gedien het), vier jaar lank voorsitter van Napha se dissiplinêre komitee en gekoöpteerde lid van die MSLU die afgelope drie jaar. In vroeër jare het hy ook twee jaar lank gedien as sekretaris van die Windhoek Streeklandbou Unie onder voorsitterskap van wyle Theo Lubowski.

Pieter Boltman was sedert 1976, toe hy begin boer het, lid van die Gochas Boerevereniging, waarin hy vir verskeie jare as sekretaris en voorsitter gedien het. Van 1992 tot 2004 kon hy vanweë sy pligte as goewer­neur van die Hardap-streek nie by die boere­ vereniging betrokke wees nie. In 2005 het hy terug­ gekeer na sy plaas en weer ’n aktiewe lid van die boe­ re­vereniging geword. Hy is ook in dié jaar as voorsitter van die streeklandbou-unie se bestuur verkies. Hy het ses jaar gelede amptelik uit die MSLU getree en is se­ dert­dien as gekoöpteerde lid betrokke.

riental Streeklandbou Unie (MSLU) ’n sprekende voorbeeld is.

Só glo Rainer daaraan om aktief positiewe interaksie met die nuwe geslag landbouers te handhaaf op individuele, boerevereniging- en streeklandbouvlak. In die proses word kennis en ervaring oorgedra. Op sy beurt meen Pieter jonger boere moet betrek word by die besluit­ nemingsprosesse en bestuur van georganiseerde landbou-organisasies. Op dié manier word hulle toegerus om leierskap oor te vat en ingeligte besluite te neem.

Beide die suideboere is dit eens dat hulle ingelig moet bly oor landbousake. “Ons volg die wye veld van gebeure wat landbou regstreeks en onregstreeks raak in die media en op die landbou-inligtingskanale. Waar dit van belang en betekenis is, bespreek en debatteer ons dit met die bestuur van die streeklandbou-unie

telefonies of op WhatsApp-groepe. Dié uitruil van kennis en menings dien as klankbord vir die voorsitter, om deur veelvuldige insette beter ingeligte besluite te kan neem,“ sê Rainer.

Pieter sê hulle word gewoonlik geraadpleeg oor dringende kwessies wat aan die orde van die dag is en ’n beduidende uitwerking op die skaapbedryf kan hê, waaronder bemarking, veediefstal en die roofdierprobleem.

Met betrekking tot diversifikasie meen beide die gesoute boere dat opsies in die suidelike dele van die land beperk is, maar baie boere het hulle tot die toerismebedryf gewend om die pot in droogtetye aan die kook te hou. “As ons Covid-­19 buite rekening laat, is toerisme een van die bedrywe waar groei kan plaasvind,“ sê Pieter.

Volgens Rainer het suideboere ná die ineenstorting van die karakoelbedryf in die middel

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tagtigerjare besluit om nie meer al hul spreekwoordelike eiers in een mandjie te hou nie, maar te diversifiseer. “Ons het ook op beeste, wild, trofeejag en meer onlangs gastever­blyf vir toe­ riste en plaaslike mense begin fokus met na­ tuur­uitstappies waar mense die bekoring van die Kalahari kan beleef.”

Skaapbedryf Oor die stand van die land se skaapbedryf sê Pie­ter: “Ek dink die toekoms is rooskleurig, hoewel skaapbemarkingsgetalle in dié sta­dium laag is. Dit kan net beter gaan met ons. Die pryse wat ons nou vir ons skape kry, is goed en bemar­king loop vlot.” Hy meen plaaslike skaapboere is ten gunste van uitvoerabattoirs, maar dit moet in gedagte gehou word dat dié abattoirs hoofsaaklik na Suid-Afrika uitgevoer­ het waar hulle in gevestigde bemarkings­ka­ nale moes meeding.

Pieter glo boere is nie teen plaaslike skaapverslagting en verwerking gekant nie, maar daarop geregtig dat dit teen ’n mededingende prys gedoen word sodat hulle saam met die ander rolspelers voordeel daaruit kan put. Hy is ten gunste van die komende vleisindaba, waar hy meen oplossings en antwoorde vir die land se vleisbedryf gevind kan word.

Rainer benadruk weer die belangrikheid van die relatief onlangse beëindiging van die regering se skaapbemarkingskema. “Die grens vir lewende uitvoer na Suid-Afrika is weer oop sonder beperkings op getalle. Dit moet soos ’n stuk goud opgepas word en die staat behoort

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nooit weer in te meng in die bemarking van vee nie. Dit sluit speenkalwers in. Boonop het nuwe rolspelers die abattoirbedryf betree wat in beginsel bereid is om sake in ’n vrye­mark­stelsel te doen sonder beheermaatreëls.”

Hy glo private entrepreneurskap is onmisbaar om uitvoerplanne na premiemarkte te volvoer sodra skaapgetalle weer herstel. “Ek is vol moed dat ’n dinamiese, vindingryke private sektor uitvoergeleenthede sal aangryp, mits dit lonend sal wees vir hulle en produsente.”

Pieter meen dit gaan drie of vier jaar neem vir skaapkuddes om te herstel en sowat vyf jaar voordat die kerf van ’n miljoen bemarkbare skape weer bereik sal word. In dié stadium word sowat 500 000 skape per jaar bemark weens die droogte en produsente wat uitgetree het toe die omstrede regeringsbemarkingskema nog van krag was.

Nismarkte Beide Rainer en Pieter glo geleenthede bestaan vir buitelandse nismarkte vir Namibiese skaap­ vleis. Uitvoer is volgens hulle noodsaaklik is vir die oorlewing van die bedryf.

“Ek het geen twyfel dat ons mettertyd min­ der afhanklik moet word van die groeiende vraag na en behoefte aan lamsvleis in SuidAfrika nie. Dit was wel jare lank ons naaste en beste mark, maar polities en ekonomies het die omstandighede in Suid-Afrika verander. Die groot ideaal om sogenaamde been-in lams­ vleis na Europa uit te voer kon ongelukkig nie materialiseer nie en indien hierdie vereiste die­

re­gesondheidsmaatreëls in die toekoms onoorkombaar blyk te wees moet ons na ander nismarkte kyk.”

Pieter voeg by dat markte in China en sommige Skandinawiese lande ook ’n opsie vir Namibiese skaapvleis kan wees. Hy maan egter dat die Suid-Afrikaanse mark nie vergeet moet word wat al die jare die Namibiese produsente gedra het nie. “Ons vleis is uniek – natuurlik geproduseer sonder hormone – en ons moet hier­mee volhou.”

Veilings: Konvensioneel versus digitaal Kanse dat konvensionele veilings gaan ver­dwyn, blyk skraal te wees, volgens Pieter en Rainer.

Tydens die Covid-inperkings was baie bemar­ kers en veilingsagentskappe genoop om hulle tot digitale platforms te wend.

Rainer meen beeldmateriaal op skerms is ’n goeie hulpmiddel, maar die ernstige ko­per van slagvee wat aansien wil bou of behou, wil homself op die veiling van kondisie vergewis. “My visie is dat ons in die toekoms meer vee op vei­ lings op sentrale punte moet aanbied om deurlopend aan beide uitvoer-abattoirs en slagters se deursetbehoeftes te voldoen. Dan het produsente immers ’n be­dingingsmag om vee wat te maer, te vet of te jonk is te onttrek vir afronding of verkope aan ’n voerkraal.”

Pieter glo weer die nadeel van ’n digitale vei­ ling is dat diere van ’n foto gekoop word sonder dat hulle behoorlik onder oë geneem kan word.

“Ek dink digitale veilings het nog ’n pad om te stap; dit kan dalk vir stoetdiere werk.”

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‘Agronomy’s success lies in planning’ Over the past three years AgriTurf N ­ amibia has learnt that the best agronomy practices can always be improved upon. Wilhelm de Wet, owner of AgriTurf, believes that the success of the sector largely depends on effective planning and incorporating the latest in technological solutions. “Our team is inspired by our customers. We are able to help them plan superior solutions that make a difference in how they manage water usage and irrigation systems.”

AgriTurf further guarantees that when buying their products, clients are getting quality tools, and additionally receive a Namibian commitment that goes well beyond the purchase. Clients are offered ongoing advice, knowledge, technology and global expertise.

To emphasise this message and show the company’s commitment to the industry, AgriTurf hosted a specialist irrigation day where, for the first time, eight or more suppliers and related companies came together to discuss and debate the way forward – promoting the latest in equipment and machinery. The event was hosted at AgriTurf’s head office in Windhoek’s southern industrial area in November.

Marco, Wilhelm’s eldest son, has helped expand the company to include fertilisers

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Participants during AgriTurf Namibia’s first specialist irrigation day where several suppliers exhibited. Specially invited guests and related companies came together to discuss the latest in industry technology and equipment.

and solar system options that were not previously available to Namibian farmers. During the specialist irrigation day, he gave a brief overview on Agri-Boost which is an organic fertiliser manufactured from Ceres certified sterilised cattle blood and bone.

The product is then fortified with sea kelp, fulvic and humic acid, nano micro elements and soil micro-organisms 48

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Wilhelm de Wet, owner of AgriTurf Namibia, who encouraged all agronomic industry stakeholders to work together wherever possible to the benefit of customers across Southern Africa.

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AgriTurf Namibia has its own team of specialist pivot installers that can assist farmers across the country. They have completed several projects in areas such as Gobabis (left) and Witvlei (middle and right) where these pictures were taken.

‘Agronomy’s success lies in planning’

to ensure a well-balanced food source for plants as well as for soil. Blood is a high protein source, rich in peptides and L-amino acids and is the main supply of carbon and nitrogen in AgriBoost. Bone is the main source of phosphorus and calcium.

Since its establishment in 2018, AgriTurf eagerly took on the daunting challenge of putting together a team of installers for projects such as solar and various irrigation as well as pivot systems. AgriTurf has completed over 140 projects, offering clients design services incorporating over 3 300 products for agricultural irrigation, sport, solar, residential, water pump, mining, commercial, filtration and hydroponic systems.

Exhibitors who promoted their wide range of products during the irrigation day included Hunter Industries, Senninger, ElectroMechanica, Reinke, TORO Ag, RovicLeers, DAB, LEO Pumps, Gebco, Agri-boost, SafeQuip, Expert Mining, Kaleidoscope and TACHO Namibia.

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AgriTurf can offer Namibians unique solar systems, catering for every farmer or home-owner’s needs.

HEALTHCARE • EDUCATION • AGRICULTURE S TAT I S T I C S F O R D E V E L O P M E N T

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A proud heritage of innovation For generations, New Holland has set the gold standard for haymaking. In fact, New Holland’s reputation for innovation and quality began with the small square baler, a machine that revolutionized hay and straw harvesting and put New Holland on the map. When New Holland introduced the first successful automatic hay baler in 1937, farmers immediately recognised its value and rushed to buy it. Eighty years later, New Holland is still the leader in balers, with a well-earned reputation for quality, reliability and engineering excellence. There have been more New Holland small square balers sold than any other brand with good reason — New Holland is the haymaking specialist.

In 2009 New Holland celebrated its 700 000th small square baler built since 1997. As distributor of these machines in Namibia, Africa Commercial Vehicles is honoured to be part to this proud heritage. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the BC5070 has become one of the most popular balers in the country.

A wider pickup and more baling capacity for large farm operations With the widest pickup, more tines and heavyduty features throughout, the BC5070 is sized for serious bale-making. It has a 75-inch SuperSweep™ pickup, a Class 6 heavy-duty driveline to push more power into bale formation and a plunger that moves at 93 strokes per minute to densely pack the crop. The rotary

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Ed Nolt, inventor of the first successful automatic baler, field tests an engineering prototype in the mid1940s. His design revolutionized hay and straw harvesting and earned New Holland a place of honor in the history of agricultural machinery.

The first production units of the New Holland Model 73 baler started coming off the assembly line in 1937.

The first baler (restored to its original condition) was an instant success, with more than 20 000 balers of the original design made in the next several years.

feeding system is also standard.

Contact Africa Commercial Vehicles today to get ready for the coming hay-making sea-

son. Or visit their showroom at 37 Shali Industrial Park, Brakwater, next to the B1 Highway and opposite Bokomo Namibia.

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The role of a pure breed in a crossbreeding programme Crossbreeding in South Africa is often, and without reason, viewed with some suspicion.

This can be partly attributed to South African stud breeders’ preoccupation with breed purity. Nevertheless there are many commercial producers who benefit from crossbreeding by improving productivity and profitability in their herds.

Crossbreeding involves the mating of different breeds of the same species. The success of crossbreeding lies in hybrid vigour, or heterosis. This is a phenomenon in which crossbred animals’ performance levels exceed the average performance of their purebred parents.

Crossbreeding can improve production levels in two ways, namely breed complementarity and heterosis. Complementarity is when one breed’s strengths complement the other breed’s weaknesses.

Complementary crossbreeding allows the breeder to combine desired traits of two or more breeds to create a more appealing animal, while heterosis increases the performance levels of different traits.

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Two breeding scientists take an indepth look at crossbreeding and the various production systems in this article. They are Prof Frikkie Neser (left) of the University of the Free State (department of animal, wildlife and grassland science) and Dr Michiel Scholtz (right), specialist researcher in applied animal breeding, Agricultural Research Council.

The genetic effect of crossbreeding is the opposite of that of inbreeding. Crossbreeding increases heterozygosity and decreases homozygosity, whereas inbreeding has the opposite effect. In general, the traits that exhibit the greatest inbreeding depression (slowdown in productivity due to inbreeding), for example fertility, are the same traits that have the greatest degree of heterosis.

Requirements for heterosis There are two primary requirements for a trait to show heterosis.

Firstly, the breeds utilised in a crossbreeding programme must be genetically diverse. Secondly, some degree of non-additive gene action (dominance and epistasis) must be present.

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Pure breed in a crossbreeding programme The greater the genetic separation between breeds (more diverse), the higher the heterosis in the progeny.

Crossbred calves born from Taurus x Zebu or Taurus x Sanga parents will have higher levels of heterosis than, for example, Taurus x Taurus parents, which in turn will increase weaning weights and profitability.

A crossbreeding system is often more difficult to manage than a pure-breeding system. Such a system must therefore be thoroughly planned and designed. The production environment and objectives will dictate which breeds to use in the system. These aspects must therefore serve as basis for selection. Indiscriminate crossing of breeds does not provide the benefits of a well-organised, well thought-out crossbreeding system and is doomed to fail.

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Important factors • Maintain high levels of heterosis by crossing breeds with a diverse genetic makeup, as their offspring will show more overall heterosis at both maternal and individual levels.

• Consider breeds that complement each other. Choose a sire line known for fast growth and excellent carcass traits, and a dam line that produces enough milk for a fast-growing calf and rears a robust, healthy calf every year.

• Maintain a higher level of management to maximise benefits.

• Use animals that will adapt to your environment.

• Meet current market requirements. All animals produced in the system must suit local market conditions. Crossbred, commercial cattle must be able to adapt to changing markets.

• Give consideration to purchase costs and available breeding material. There is usually a limited supply of especially top-class firstgeneration (F1) replacement heifers from selected, proven, purebred parents. This must be taken into account when deciding on a crossbreeding system.

When crossbreeding, it is important to utilise breeds that complement each other. This calf was bred from a Bonsmara sire and a Simmentaler cow. (Photo: Simmentaler SA)

Benefits of crossbreeding Crossbreeding maximises performance without much extra input. Applied correctly, it is one of a few management mechanisms that increases productivity and improves progeny without significantly raising input costs. The complementarity and heterosis that go along with crossbreeding, serve to intensify production over a shorter period of time than when selecting within a particular breed.

The degree of heterosis depends on the crossbreeding system used, while some traits tend to respond better to crossbreeding than others. The degree of heterosis for traits with lower heritability, such as fertility and adaptability, also tend to be greater.

In a well-structured programme, heterosis can increase the productivity of a beef cow herd by 20 to 25%, compared to a normal purebred breeding programme. To maximise the crossbreeding 52

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programme’s benefits, the cows must be crossbreeds (F1s). Compared to purebred cows, the calves of crossbred cows are around 15% heavier at weaning, which can be attributed to maternal heterosis.

Maternal heterosis is usually greater than individual heterosis for traits influenced by female animals (milk production, reproduction, health and heifer mortality). Crossbred cows tend to live longer, have a longer productive lifespan and shed their teeth at a much older age than purebred cows. Crossbred animals will also be better adapted than their purebred parents.

CROSSBREEDING SYSTEMS Crossbreeding systems are divided into two categories: A system that produces its own female replacement animals (rotation as well as a combination of a rotation and terminal system) and a system that only produces terminal crossbred calves.

In a rotation system one must give priority to selecting bulls with outstanding maternal, growth and carcass traits, as the replacement heifers are retained in the herd.

In a terminal system the focus is on selecting bulls with outstanding growth and carcass traits, as replacement heifers can be obtained from outside the herd. The genetic merit of a terminal bull for maternal traits is less important, since its female offspring are not used for breeding. However, avoid dystocia at all costs, regardless of the type of crossbreeding system utilised.

Rotation systems In a rotation system the aim is to establish two or more breeding herds. There are two types of rotation systems: Two-breed rotation system Two groups of crossbred cows are established in this system, namely cows from breed A that are mated with purebred bulls from breed B, and female animals from breed B that are mated with purebred males from breed A. A series of alternative backcrosses are utilised in the two-breed rotation system. After several generations, approximately two thirds of the genetics will originate from one breed and the remaining third from the other.

The main advantage of rotation crosses is that the system produces its own replacement heifers. The major disadvantage is that a portion of both the individual heterosis and maternal heterosis is lost. Since cows share roughly one third of their breed composition with the bull with which they are mated, a third of the potential heterosis is lost. Managing this system can be complex and even more heterosis is lost if incorrect matings or inbreeding occurs.

Three-breed rotation system This system is similar to a two-breed rotation system, except that a third breed is introduced. Almost 86% of the possible heterosis is retained if this system is managed correctly. As more breeds are introduced into the system, the retained heterosis will increase.

The disadvantage of this system is that it is more difficult to manage than the two-breed rotation system, and that at least three breeding herds are required if animals are not artificially inseminated.

Breeds must be selected judiciously to take advantage of the complementarity among breeds. The diverse genetic profile of some breeds may cause calving problems, as well as additional changes that could give rise to problems relating to the feeding and marketing of calves.

Composite or synthetic breeds A synthetic breed is composed of two or more different breeds and is adapted to exploit hybrid vigour, without crossing animals with other breeds. Synthetic breeds usually incorporate a combination of breeds, each with a sought-after trait in terms of performance and/ or adaptability.

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Pure breed in a crossbreeding programme bred breed). A certain level of heterosis can be maintained in a synthetic breed if there are enough unrelated sires that can be utilised in each generation to prevent inbreeding.

The main disadvantage of synthetic breeds is that inbreeding can eventually diminish heterosis, as they are bred from a small genetic pool. Be careful not to select for specific traits such as growth, up to a point where the genes of one of the breeds in the combination are reduced over time.

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Terminal system This crossbreeding system makes use of a specific pattern in which a specific pure bull breed is continuously mated with a pure or crossbred cow and all progeny are sold. Replacement heifers are bought in. As far as the sire line is concerned, preference should be given to pure breeds with high growth potential and excellent carcass traits.

The benefits of heterosis are maximised when a crossbred cow (F1 female animal) is mated with a purebred sire of a third breed.

In this system, female animals are selected to adapt to the environment and resources, whereas male animals are selected for end-product targets, such as growth and carcass traits. One of this system’s greatest obstacles is obtaining a sustainable source of topquality replacement heifers.

Rotation terminal system This system combines the best aspects of traditional rotation and static terminal systems. The rotation portion of the system provides the replacement heifers, while the terminal section allows fastgrowing bulls to produce most of the marketable calves.

Cows are kept in the system’s rotation section until the age of four years, after which they are moved to the terminal part of the system and all their calves are marketed. This system’s greatest disadvantage is that a large herd of at least 100 cows is required and

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To maximise the benefits of a crossbreeding programme, the cows themselves must also be crossbred. This cow is a Simmentaler x Bonsmara type. (Photo: Simmentaler SA)

that it demands a high level of management.

The success of any of the aforementioned systems depends on how well the system is managed, as well as the quality of the animals in the system. Breeding values are available for all breeds in South Africa, which simplifies the selection of male animals. However, obtaining top-quality crossbred replacement heifers is much more difficult.

Perhaps the time has come for contract mating, according to which heifers with a certain genetic composition can be ordered from a producer who has top female animals.

For references and enquiries, contact the authors at email NeserFW@ufs.ac.za or GScholtz@arc.agric.za. (SIMM-BIOSIS, Issue 1, May 2021).

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Feed efficiency: A trait that is synonymous with the Simmentaler Dr Michael Bradfield CEO Livestock Registering Federation (LRF)

Speak to any of the older South African producers, and they will tell you that it was the performance of the Simmentaler in the Phase C tests that put the Simmentaler on the map in South Africa. The Simmentaler consistently outperformed other breeds over a long period of time. It has been a case of maximising output while minimising input or, differently put, doing more with less.

Economic impact Over 80% of weaners in South Africa are finished in feedlots and 70% of production costs of cows are tied to feed. Basarab in 2002 calculated that a 5% improvement in feed efficiency could have an economic impact four times greater than a 5% increase in average daily gain (ADG). Fox et al in 2001 showed that a 10% improvement in feed efficiency returned a 43% increase in profit and a 10% improvement in ADG by comparison returned an 18% increase in profit.

For the South African feedlot sector the economic impact is profound. The Australian researcher Dr Paul Arthur showed that it is realistic to save at least R495 over a 120day feed period in a selection line selected for improved feed efficiency. If, for example, we feed two million cattle in South Africa (three million are slaughtered), the saving is easily worth R1 billion per annum.

Measurement of feed efficiency The traditional measurement of feed efficiency is to measure the feed conversion ratio (FCR). FCR is an input/output ratio, i.e. feed consumed divided by the lifetime gain of the animal. FCR is a commonly used measure of feed efficiency in the feedlot.

Residual feed intake (RFI), also called net feed intake (NFI), is defined as the difference between an animal’s actual feed intake and its expected feed intake, based on its size and growth. It is independent of the level of production (growth) of the animal, and the lower the value, the more efficient the animal is. For example, if two animals both weigh 500 kg and animal A eats less than animal B, we can rightly assume that animal A is more efficient, independent of growth.

The fact that NFI is independent of the level of production means that the selection for animals for a good, i.e. negative NFI, will result in more efficient animals, also from smaller cows. NFI has also been found to be independent of carcass quality and fertility. In other words, selecting for NFI will not have a negative effect on these traits.

A practical example The practical example in Table 1 describes the factors used to calculate the NFI of an individual animal. Bull A’s starting weight is 12 kg heavier than that of bull B, and he ends up with a final weight that is also 12 kg heavier. The expected feed intake is similar, but the actual feed intake is 2,5 kg per day less. When converted to an RFI value, the NFI of bull A is -0,68 kg compared to bull B of +2 kg. Hence we can expect bull A to eat 1,32 kg less than bull B for the same growth.

In another practical and actual example (Table 2), Simmentaler bull UG11-209 of Tendele Simmentalers has an NFI of -0,52 kg compared to the breed average of -0,03 kg. This means we can expect his progeny to consume 0,5 kg a day compared to the breed average.

Heritability NFI is moderately heritable (30 to 40%) and this means that selection for low NFI will result in progeny that consume less feed for the same level of production as the progeny of high NFI cattle.

Traits measured Breedplan produces two estimated breeding values (EBVs) relating to feed efficiency. They are NFI post weaning and NFI feedlot finishing.

Both EBVs are calculated from information collected at feed efficiency stations. While there is a positive relationship between the two EBVs, some animals do rank differently for feed efficiency in the two different scenarios. To date, Breedplan has been producing NFI post weaning for the Simmentaler breed.

Benefits of the GrowSafe system The GrowSafe system requires a 21-day adaptation period, followed by a 70-day testing period, compared to the Calen Gate system that has a 28-day adjustment and a 84-day testing period.

A minimum contemporary group size of five animals with a minimum of two 60 sires’ progeny per group (it is rec-

Table 1: Factors used to calculate the net feed intake (NFI) of an individual animal.

Trait

Bull A

Bull B

Starting weight (kg)

398

386

End weight (kg)

581

569

Growth rate (kg/day)

1,54

1,54

Fat deposition (mm)

10

9

Expected feed intake (kg)

13,9

13,7

Actual feed intake (kg)

13,2

15,7

Residual feed intake (kg/d)

-0,68

+2,0

Efficient animals have lower RFI values

Table 2: NFI of Simmentaler bull UG11-209. (Source: Breedplan February 2021) Calving ease DIR (%) EBV Accuracy EBV

Calving ease DTRS (%)

Gesta� on length (days) -

Birth weight (kg)

200day weight (kg) +23

400day weight (kg) +41

600day weight (kg) +45

Mat. cow weight (kg)

Milk (kg)

Scrotal size (cm)

-

+1,8

Days to calving (days) -

Carcass weight (kg) +28

Eyemuscle area (cm2)

Rib fat (mm) -

Breed average EBVs for 2019 born calves -

-

Rump fat (mm) -

Retail beef yield (%)

IMF (%)

NFI-P -

Traits analysed: BWT, 200 WT (x2), 400 WT (x2), 600 WT. Statistics: Number of herds: 47; Progeny analysed: 441; Scan progeny: 76; Number of daughters: 54.

Selec�on index values (rand) Market target Index value

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Feed efficiency: Synonymous with the Simmentaler ommended that one sire is a link sire) is recommended. For the postwean trait, Breedplan recommends the minimum age of the animal in the GrowSafe system is 200 days and the maximum age is 300 days. For the feedlot finishing trait, the minimum age is 300 days and the maximum age is 400 days.

In the GrowSafe system, each animal is fitted with an RFID (radio tag) responder and can eat from any of the feed bunks. Usually, 10 to 12 animals per feed bunk is recommended. GrowSafe also offers a walk-over weighing system, i.e. each time an animal drinks water it is weighed. This provides an accurate weight measurement compared to the norm of weighing animals only once every two weeks.

Measuring and collecting these massive volumes of real-time data provides insight into animal behaviour, for example which breeds or individual animals are aggressive feeders and which breeds or animals eat when it is hot in the midday sun, or colder at night.

South Africa now has three GrowSafe systems. In Kwazulu-Natal, Koos Kooy has established a system at Mooi River. So did Thys and Pieter Meyer in Lindley, the Free State, while the ARC in Irene has its own facility at the research station. The first GrowSafe station in Africa, called GentecSol, was established in the Hochfeld area, Namibia, by 58

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Each animal in the GrowSafe system is fitted with an NFID responder and can eat from any of the feed bunks.

Mecki Schneider and Ebbi Fischer.

In summary The old Phase C test stations are what put the Simmentaler on the map in South Africa. Given the fact that 80% of weaners go through feedlots, and given the new technologies available along with shortened

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tests, it would make much sense for the Simmentaler to again focus on this economically important trait that can make a major difference in the profitability of the South African beef industry.

For more information, contact the author at email michael@lrf.co.za. (SIMM-BIOSIS, Issue 1, May 2021)

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Telers trek saam by die Harmse Martin en Connie Harms van die Imkerhofomgewing het vanjaar as gashere opgetree vir die jaarlikse Simmentaler-telersdag.

Op dié telersdae is dit insiggewend om te beleef hoe telers hul kuddes bestuur en Simmentaler-genetika tot voordeel van die ras gebruik word. Martin en Connie het hul Simmentalers mettertyd opgeteel en vandag is dit een van die mees belowende kuddes.

Wanneer ’n teler sy diere weeg, oor betroubare en kor­rekte teelwaardes beskik en bulle vir netto-voerinname op die NFI-stasie toets, lok dit altyd besprekings uit onder telers.

Afgesien van die lekker saamkuier en gesels is die Outeesim Simmentaler-kudde besigtig. Kinnear Geldenhuys, tegniese adviseur van die Simmentaler Genootskap van Suider-Afrika, en Paul Klein van Agra het die besprekings in die kraal gelei waar hulle die goeie en swak punte van die Simmentaler as ras uitgewys het. By die koeikudde is dié met besondere “dik” kalwers uitgewys waar korrektiewe paring toegepas is.

Voorts is ’n kort vergadering gehou waar aktuele genootskapsake bespreek is.

Die bulle wat Martin en Connie Harms vir bespreking uitgehaal het.

Simmentaler-telers volg die bespreking van vroulike diere en kalwers.

Kruisteling met Simmentaler bly ’n uitstekende opsie Die feit dat die Simmentaler ’n dubbeldoelras met ongelooflik goeie eienskap­ pe vir melk en vleis bring mee dat kruisteling met die Brahman goeie resultate oplewer.

Hendrik Botha wat in 1977 met beeste op die plaas Agagia oos van Okahandja begin boer het, sê oor die wenkombinasie in ’n ekstensiewe omgewing hy is ’n osteler wat sy diere op die ouderdom van dertig maande bemark.

“Die dekseisoen strek van Desember en Maart met doelgerigte kruisteling tussen die Simmentaler en die Brahman. Brahman-koeie word deur Simmentaler-bulle gedek en die nageslag weer deur ’n Brahman-bul wat by die F1-kruisverse en -koeie gesit word. Op die F2-kruisings word weer Simmentaler-bulle gebruik om ’n 50:50-verhouding so­ver as moontlik tussen die twee rasse te behou.

Hy skryf die kalfpersentasie van 90% in sy kudde toe aan goeie seleksie vir aangepaste, vrugbare diere.

Osgewigte op die hoef is op 20 maande gemiddeld 445 kg en op 30 maande gemiddeld 580 kg. Dit beteken die osse groei oor ’n tyd­ perk van 22 maande teen tussen 300 g of 470 g per dag in ekstensiewe toestande. Uitslaggewigte wissel tussen 280 tot 300 kg. Die gesogte AB-grade (tweetand) maak 70% van sy slagdiere se gradering uit teenoor 30% B-grade.

Hendrik glo ’n speenkalf moet op agt maande sowat 50% van sy ma se gewig weeg. Dit kom neer op sowat 280 kg. Beide die Simmentaler en Brahman beskik oor baie positiewe eienskappe wat hulle ideaal maak vir speenkalf- en osproduksie in ’n kruisteelprogram.

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’n Wyer blik op die tipe Simmentalers uit die Outeesim-stoet van Imkerhof se Harmse.

Telers in ’n vergadering waar aktuele genootskapsake bespreek is. www.agriforum.com.na

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Simmentaler: The red meat industry’s broiler chicken Izak Hofmeyr Plaasmedia

The Simmentaler’s conformation, fertility and milk production are the pillars on which the value of this breed is built. Because it is a latematuring type with excellent feed conversion ability, Simmentalers can be kept in the feedlot for longer, producing much heavier carcasses than the average. In other words, they possess the ability to generate much more value prior to slaughter.

“It is all these qualities that truly make the Simmentaler the broiler chicken of the red meat industry.” This is according to Martiens de Jager of the farm Vlaknek in the Koster area. Martiens is also the owner of the Gulland group of companies which includes the Gulland Simmentaler Stud consisting of 450 producing animals, a feedlot, the Koster Abattoir as well as Hyper butcheries in Rustenburg, Ridder Park and Pretoria.

Knowledge of the value chain After having initially worked as a mechanical engineer at the former Pelindaba near Pretoria and farming part-time, Martiens is now in the fortunate position where he can farm fulltime, while his son and son-in-law manage his other interests in the red meat value chain. His son, Martiens Jr, manages the retail butchers, while his son-in-law, Ruan Janse van Rensburg, manages the abattoir and wholesale section.

He is therefore well informed to express himself as to which type of cattle are profitable across the entire value chain. “The Simmentaler has been adapted in the country for more than 100 years. However, much has changed. I think the biggest change that has taken place, and should have taken place, is the farmer himself,” Martiens says.

To be able to farm in a truly meaningful way, he believes one must first develop the area at your disposal for farming to the maximum to increase on-farm turnover. “The only way to do this is by selling more products. In the context of red meat this simply means more kilograms of meat. So, if the fertility in your herd is correct and the weaning percentages are top notch, then the way to produce more kilograms of meat is to ensure that your calves grow optimally so that you can gain maximum benefit from each calf.”

Getting the best advantage “When you wean a calf at the age of seven months, and for argument’s sake it fetches R8 000, it does not mean that you will be enjoying maximum benefit from that calf’s potential. Intensive feeding over the next six months can double that calf’s value. It is true that your profits won’t double, but you can 66

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easily make an additional 10 to 15% profit after those six months, which you would not have generated had you sold the calf at seven months,” he says.

After 35 slaughter sessions with an average of 120 cattle per session which he rounded off in his feedlot, his average net profit in the feedlot came to 20%. This, he says, is a good example of how to maximise the existing space at your disposal so that you can generate the greatest possible profit from it.

The difference between a conformation of 3 (left) and a conformation of 5 (right) on the hook.

He believes unequivocally that the Simmentaler is an extremely valuable ally in this endeavour. His herd currently consists of 450 producing animals and 100 replacement heifers which he is rearing. He says that with such a large herd, he gets enough calves every year to supply good bulls and females to the market and round off the excess in the feedlot.

“The foundation of cow performance,” he says, “is good nutrition. Fertility and milk production are both functions of good nutrition.

The Simmentaler’s well-known milk production trait only comes into its own with good nutrition, but we know how our calves perform when they get enough milk.

“Add to that the fact that we farm a breed known for its excellent feed conversion ca-

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pacity, while giving your calves creep feed, then the benefits of pre-weaning growth truly start to shine. Our calves are weaned quite easily at 300 kg. Surely it stands to reason that such a calf will make a major contribution to the total number of kilograms you can wean on your farm.”

Improved conformation One aspect Martiens believes should receive more attention in the pursuit of more kilograms of meat is conformation. He uses the scoring system as a yardstick on which carcasses on the hook are judged.

“The average conformation of all the cattle in the country is 3. This is measured on a scale of 1 to 5 for the front section’s conformation, the middle part and the rear third. The ideal is to have the same conformation score for each third. A breeder should focus on improving conformation in his herd, as this will put money in his pocket.

“Just consider the difference in what a conformation of 3 and one of 4 will put in your pocket at slaughter. There is a weight difference of between 6 and 9% that differentiates a conformation of 3 from one of 4. This means that a carcass in the 300 kg class, which has a score of 4 for conformation, will weigh approximately 18 to 27 kg more than one with a conformation of 3. In monetary terms, this means that at a price of R51 per kg, you can realise between R918 to R1 377 more per animal in the feedlot.”

Although width, depth and length are all essential when evaluating conformation, height is the most important as it contributes the most to carcass weight, he explains. In the Simmentaler, the average conformation score is a 4, because a 5 would represent the extreme.

“If one considers the difference in monetary value between a conformation of 3 and one of 4, it is even more obvious – the reason why I regard the Simmentaler as the broiler chicken of the red meat industry.”

Broad female animals, he says, also calve more easily than their weaker conformed counterparts. “You will see that these animals are much more adaptable and last much longer during times of drought. The broad, adapted cows also wean their calves better. Samic’s carcass weights have been adjusted from 280 to 300 kg to accommodate the late maturing cattle as well.

“However, the dressing percentage of our Simmentaler oxen is more than 350 kg, so it is somewhat difficult for us to participate now, unless we slaughter them very early. During the ALFA week our own four oxen had an average dressing percentage of 63% with a carcass weight of 380 kg.” www.agriforum.com.na

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The role and value of shows Martiens stresses that shows, despite the negative perceptions that prevail in many circles, play an extremely valuable role in the industry.

“Over the last three years I received the highest marks for participation in both the Vryburg and Lichtenburg shows. This performance is of much importance to me as I don’t select for show performance. I select for adaptability, fertility and conformation. These are the traits that make my herd profitable. However, I can select animals from this herd that can compete at any level.

“Because the Simmentaler has such a good feed conversion ratio, the money I spend to get an animal ready for a show is never wasted, as that feed is converted into meat.”

Shows, he believes, allow participants to compare their breeding and feeding methods with those of others. In this way one can identify and correct one’s mistakes.

Profitable in the feedlot The fact that the Simmentaler can be fed profitably in the feedlot for much longer offers a huge advantage, according to Martiens.

“Despite the Samic grading system that favours carcasses of up to 300 kg, I know from experience in the red meat value chain that the modern trend is strongly focused on deboning. The reason for this is simply that the consumer’s buying patterns have changed drastically in favour of specific cuts. This makes the need to not produce too large carcass-

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He says a study, conducted by Phillip Oost­ huizen for his master’s degree dissertation on the optimal profitable feeding periods of different cattle breeds in the feedlot, clearly showed that the Simmentaler can be fed profitably for much longer than many other breeds. For those who would like to read this study, his dissertation is entitled The profit-maximising feeding period for different breeds of beef cattle.

Simmentalers in the feedlot.

es largely superfluous. The more weight you can put on a Simmentaler in the feedlot while keeping it profitable, the more money that animal contributes to your pocket. In addition, the Simmentaler is one of few breeds where bulls and heifers perform equally in the feedlot.”

From stud farmer to meat producer Martiens firmly believes that Simmentaler producers must shift their focus from being stud farmers to becoming meat producers.

“Our breed is an outstanding one whose value is determined on an abattoir hook at the end of its lifetime. The deboning market has developed to such an extent that large carcasses have a much better meat-to-bone ratio. Deboning does lower the carcass price, yes, but profits are made from favourable feed conversion where cattle are fed for longer.”

However, the breed does offer breeders the opportunity to make money from a number of links in the value chain.

“We can profit from the Simmentaler breed by focusing on breeding cows, growing out heifers up until mating, growing out bulls up to 400 kg, as well as growing out breeding bulls. But most important of all is the Simmentaler’s value at auctions, at the abattoir and in the butchery.”

For more information, call Martiens de Jager on 083 306 3304. (SIMM-BIOSIS, Issue 1, May 2021)

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“Nog ’n Suksesverhaal”

Rente se mense boer in pas met natuur ‘Meetsnoere val reg’

Met die meetsnoere wat volgens hom reg geval het, en die feit dat hy ’n rol in die boere­ vereniging, gemeenskap en kerk speel, skryf Simmentaler-teler Marius du Plessis van die plaas Rente in die Summerdown-distrik sy sukses toe aan genade. Hy het begin 1990 die boerdery by sy pa oorgeneem. Op groot dele is indringerbos heeltemal uitgeroei ter­w yl ’n skerp oog deurlopend op hergroei gehou word. Volgens Marius is veldherstel, bewarings­boerdery, lae bestokking en “meet om te weet” vir hom van die belangrikste prioriteite in ’n boer­dery.

Voorts meen hy boere moet byhou by tegnologiese ontwikkeling. “As ek byvoorbeeld nie die NamLITS-aanlynstelsel gebruik het nie, moes ek elke keer dorp toe ry om permitte te gaan kry en vorms in te dien. Wat aanlyn gedoen kan word, doen ons om tyd en koste te spaar.” Ruhan Bothma van Agriforum en Richard Peens, Feedmaster se tegniese adviseur in die ooste, het ’n dag saam met Marius en sy vrou Rienie deurgebring om te vertel en te wys hoe hier geboer word.

Rente se mense ... Die Du Plessis’s is van links Rienie, haar ma Aggie Labuschagne, seun Markus en sy vrou Janetta, pa Marius en dogter Agnes en haar man, André Engelbrecht.

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Sommer met die groetslag op die plaas Rente van Marius en Rienie du Plessis kom ’n mens agter dat jy met ’n gedugte span te make het en hier hande gevat word om van boerdery ’n sukses te maak.

Simmentalers vorm sedert einde 1959 die kern van die boerdery – aanvanklik vir kruisteling met die Afrikanerras wat later met Brahmane vervang is vir Simbra-tipes. Ná amper ’n dekade in die boerderytuig het Marius oorgeskakel na Simmentalers vir stoetteling. “Ek het sedert 1999 van hulp­ stamboekdiere gebruik gemaak om my kudde te bou. Die bulle was volbloed. Dit verg egter baie geduld en uithouvermoë as jy met hulpstamboekdiere die langer pad na stoetteling aandurf,” sê Marius.

Die waarde wat hy aan rekordhouding heg, bring mee dat hy elke einde Januarie en Julie getrou sy diere weeg op 200, 400, 600 dae. Soos die kalwers aankom, word hul geboortegewigte ook aangeteken. “Hoe omvattender jou deelname aan prestasietoetsing is, hoe akkurater is die syfers wat in die kopersmark ’n groot rol speel,” glo Ma­ rius.

Rienie voeg by dat ’n mens soveel as moontlik kennis moet inwin oor die ras waar­mee jy teel. “Jy moet bereid wees om elke dag van die ras en by ander telers te leer, te kyk en te luister. ’n Mens moet ook ander boere besoek en kyk hoe hul diere lyk.”

Op sy beurt het Marius die beginnerkursus in Simmentaler-keuring voltooi omdat hy veral strukturele korrektheid van ’n ras as belangrik ag. Net daar het hy be­ sluit om die grootkop diere te teel. Hy moes ook besluit of hy Simbras of Simmentalers gaan teel. Reini Rusch en wyle W ­ illie Grobler was die aanbieders van die kursus. “Ek het hulle genader vir meer inligting en tot die slotsom gekom dat die Simmentaler uitstekende kruisteel-eienskappe het.

Die feit dat dit ook ’n dubbeldoelras is met ­goeie melk- en vleiskwaliteite was bepalend in my uiteindelike keuse. Daarby is dié Europese ras oor ’n tydperk van meer as ’n eeu en kwart reeds bitter goed aangepas in Namibië se halfwoestyn ekstensiewe toewww.agriforum.com.na

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’n Klein stoetfamilie ... bul, koei en kalf.

stande,” vertel Marius.

Rienie sê hul seun, Markus, het ’n groot liefde vir die Simmentalers. Hy het baie navorsing oor die ras gedoen wat hul stoetteling ’n hupstoot in die regte rigting gegee het. “Ons het in ’n stadium ophou weeg en weer begin nadat Markus daarop aangedring het. Hy gee die opdragte en pa voer dit uit. Hy is werklik ’n inspirasie vir ons,” voeg Marius by. Wat hom opgewonde­ maak, is die wetenskap wat dit deesdae moontlik maak om diere se goeie eienskappe te bevorder deur middel van genetiese verfyning. Saam met die regte voeding

Marius en Rienie du Plessis.

reageer die diere goed.

Aanvanklik het Marius sy Van die Simmentaler-bulle op Rente. stoetdiere hoofsaaklik aan kommunale boere en kommersiële boere in Teelbeleid en seleksie die omgewing verkoop, maar bemark sedert Vrugbaarheid is die belangrikste eienskap verlede jaar ook op die Hochfeld gesament­ wanneer dit by seleksie van diere op Rente like veilings. kom. Sowat twee maande nadat die bulle Las van roofdiere is daar nie eintlik nie. “Die by die koeie uitgehaal is, word dragtigtyd toe die luiperds en wildehonde ons kop­ heidsondersoeke gedoen en ’n beleid van sere besorg het, is gelukkig verby.” ­Marius geen toleransie gevolg deur nie-dragtige voeg by dat grensdrade gereeld as teenvoe­ koeie uit te skot. “Op dié manier kry ’n mens ter teen veediefstal gepatrolleer word. Op basies ’n kunsmatige kalfpersentasie van die huurgrond woon werkers by poste om ’n 100%. Genoeg verse word aangehou om die waken­de oog oor die diere te hou. uitskotkoeie te vervang vir optimale bestokking,” sê Marius.

Siende dat sy koeikudde op sowat 75 diere­klein is, volg Marius twee dekseisoene – in die somer (Januarie, Februarie en Maart) en winter (Julie, Augustus en September) – waartydens ’n goeie teelbul sy werk moet doen. Nog ’n uitdaging is dat hy nie werklik selektiewe paring kan doen nie – die rede waarom hy in Januarie volgende jaar met kunsmatige inseminasie (KI) gaan begin. Hy het reeds met KI op kleinskaal begin eksperi­menteer en beplan om dit vir die eerste maand en ’n half van die jaar te doen vir selektiewe dekking en die vestiging van nuwe bloedlyne.

In dié verband wys hy op ’n goeie gebruik onder Simmentaler-telers om onderling saadstrooitjies uit te ruil. Hy het nou saad van drie bulle by teler Kaspar 70

Klein begin, groot gewin ’n Ou huisie, drie kampe en ’n enkele boorgat het op Markus du Plessis, Marius se pa, gewag toe hy die plaas einde van 1959 deur die destydse landboukredietskema bekom het. Van 1960 tot 1990 het pa Markus gespook met ontwikkeling – die opdeel van die grond in 22 kampe ná oorlegpleging met die destydse voorligtingsbeamp­ tes, die sink van nog boorgate en ’n nuwe woonhuis.

In 1990 het Marius die leisels op sy grootwordgrond oorgeneem, maar eers nadat hy sy BRek-graad aan Universiteit van Pretoria voltooi en sy beurs by die kantoor van die ouditeur-generaal terug­ gewerk het. “Ons het ’n onderlinge koopooreenkoms aangegaan en ek het die beeste by my pa gehuur. Maar soos die geval by baie boer­seuns is, het ek reeds ’n klein beeskudde van my eie gehad.”

Rienie en Marius, wat saam op Gobabis op skool was, is in 1991 getroud waarna sy die onderwys vaarwel toegeroep het en plaas toe is. Sy behartig die boekhouding en sekere administratiewe take terwyl hul seun Markus, tegniese adviseur van Feedmaster se braaikuiken-vertakking, verantwoordelik is vir die Simmentaler-stoet.

“Die plaas is 3 764 ha groot en dis hoekom ek nie megaboer is nie, maar eintlik ’n kleinboer. Ek en my pa het maar deurentyd rond­om ons grond gehuur. Op die oomblik huur ek nog 1 800 ha by,” sê Ma­ www.agriforum.com.na

Die netjiese woonhuis op Rente.

rius. Sy eie stukkie grond bestuur hy in harmonie met die natuur­.

Oor die bietjie wild wat daar is, word jaloers gewaak met dalk ’n koedoe wat een keer per jaar gejag word.

So terloops noem Rienie hulle was gelukkig om ’n goed ontwikkelde plaas by Marius se pa te kon oorneem. Om weidingbestuur te vergemaklik het Marius nog twee kampe gespan en ’n paar ander boorgate laat sink. Die boorgate staan nou op sewe en die 24 kampe­wissel tussen 150 ha en 210 ha. Nog infrastruktuur sluit ’n bestuursgang in van die mees noordelike na die mees suidelike pos.

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Identifikasie op oorplaatjies help om kruisteling te laat vlot.

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’n Kommersiële koeikudde.

Rente se mense boer in pas met natuur Günzel gekry. Voorts het hy nog heelwat strooitjies van ’n teelbul Neu-Heusis Silvio wat aan hom en Martin Harms behoort het en die Suid-Afrikaanse bul, Mokka.

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Kommersiële beesboerdery In die geval van die twee kommersiële kuddes word ’n spesifieke metode vir identifikasie op oorplaatjies gevolg. Die Simmentaler-koeie wat by die Brahmanbul was se verskalwers word met ’n “S” gemerk. Só weet Marius die dier moet na ’n Simmentaler-kudde gaan, want die pa was ’n Brahman. Die verskalwers van ’n Simmentalerbul word met ’n “B” gemerk, wat weer na die Brahman-kudde gaan om die volle potensiaal van kruisteling te ontsluit. Marius verduidelik hoe langer ’n mens met die tipe teling volhou, hoe sterker die Simbra-tipes met ’n 50% Brahman-invloed.

Die Du Plessis’s hou op hul huurgrond hoofsaaklik bulle, verse en osse aan. In die stadium word speenkalwers oorwegend bemark, “maar ons het altyd ook ’n klompie­ osse om voordeel te put uit die produksie­ stelsel wat op ’n bepaalde tydstip die wins­

ge­wendste is. Só is slagpryse nou goed wat osproduksie stelselmatig meer aanloklik maak, maar speenkalfprodusente is prysgewys nog so 25% beter af as die osboere”, sê Marius. Hy meen Feedmaster-produkte help op aanbeveling van die tegniese adviseurs met makliker oorskakeling van speenkalwers na osse.

So van die os op die jas, glo Marius daar moet geensins aan die vryemarkstelsel vir bemarking gepeuter word nie. “Van die kommunale boere is heeltemal afhanklik van speenkalfboerdery en as die Suid-Afrikaanse voerkraalmark toegemaak word om byvoorbeeld binnelands waarde toe te voeg kan dit rampspoedige gevolge inhou.”

Weidingbestuur en bosbeheer Die afgelope klompie jare is Marius b ­ esig om indringerbosse selektief uit te roei met bosdoderkorrels, veral om die poste en langs die paaie om grasgroei te stimuleer en dra­krag te verbeter. Hy glo bosbeheer baan die weg vir optimale weiding vir ’n meer intensiewe boerdery.

Bykomend kap een van die wer­kers die indringers af vir kleinskaalse houtskool-

Bosuitdunning word volgehou om goeie weiding te verseker.

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produksie. Geelhoutbosse word weer vir die maak van droppers gebruik. Dit vorm deel van diversifikasie om inkomste aan te vul.

Waar van die gekapte bosse weer uitloop, benut die beeste dit. Geelhoutbosse is goeie­kos vir die diere, veral in die droë najaar voor die reën kom. “Dit is daarom ’n bos wat bestuur en nie uitgeroei moet word nie. Ons gee hoofsaaklik die haakbosse pak, maar selfs hier moet balans gehou word,” glo Marius.

In die somer roteer diere sowat elke twee weke tussen kampe, afhangende van kampgroottes. “Dan is die bulle ook in die koei­ kuddes en moet die kampe so gewissel word dat hulle nie teen mekaar loop, b ­ aklei en heiningskade aanrig nie,” sê Marius. In die winter wissel die diere elke maand van kampe.

Marius maak van die vierkampstelsel gebruik. Hy het op aanbeveling ook verlede jaar begin om een kamp per jaar vir die hele groeiseisoen te laat rus totdat die gras saad afgooi. ’n Voorvereiste vir hom is lae bestokking – sowat 17 ha per grootvee-eenheid.

“Dit gee ’n mens net meer gemoedsrus as jy nie druk bewei nie.”

Hegte verhouding met Feedmaster Die Du Plessis’s het ’n noue band met Feedmaster en gebruik vir solank as wat hulle kan onthou net Feedmaster-produkte. Marius sê afgesien van die lekke en voeraanvullings gebruik hulle ook Feedmaster se lêmeel vir hul lêhoenders. In die somermaande maak hulle gebruik van Futterfos en sout en gaan nou Enermol byvoeg. Die winterrantsoen is normaalweg Beesmix 4:1:5, maar in droogtetye wanneer die diere bosse en r­ ankplante benut weens ’n tekort aan gras, word Bosverteerkonsentraat, gemeng met sout, ook vir die diere uitgesit.

Vir die afronding van sy bulle gebruik Ma­ rius Feedmaster se HPK 30 en chop gemeng.

Marius praat met groot lof van die goeie­ diens van Feedmaster se Richard Peens en Lourens Swart wat stoetkeurings doen.

“Daarby is Feedmaster ’n Namibiese maatskappy wat produkte vir plaaslike behoef­tes ontwikkel.” www.agriforum.com.na

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Richard Peens, Feedmaster se tegniese adviseur in die ooste, saam met Marius en Rienie du Plessis by een van hul Simmentaler-bulle.

Diversifikasie op kleiner skaal Afgesien van die droppers wat aan boere in die omgewing verkoop word, vul die Du Plessis’s hul inkomste aan uit lemoene en lêhoenders.

“Die lemoen- en eierbedryf is gebore toe ons kinders privaatskool toe is. Dit is wel op klein skaal, maar het gehelp om die skoolgeld te betaal. Ons het toe ook houtskoolproduksie op groter skaal gedoen, maar die beperkte hoeveelheid indringerbosse wat oor is, laat dit nie meer toe nie,” sê Rienie.

Die lemoenboord is op 1 ha gevestig en die vrugte word direk aan verbruikers bemark.

Voorts word voeraanplantings van 10 ha elk onder mielies en akkerbone vir eie gebruik gedoen. Marius sê ’n plantery is nie by hom ’n voorliefde nie; daarom is die be­stuur daarvan ook nie so goed nie. “­Diversifikasie moenie jou hoofvertakking nadelig raak nie. Ek glo dit moet eintlik 120% werk voordat jy diversifiseer. As jy ten koste van jou hoofbron van inkomste diversifiseer, is jou voet nie in die kraal nie maar op die trekker­ pedaal in die landerye,” sê Marius.

Bella, die werfhond, neem ’n middagslapie tussendeur die bedrywigheid op die plaas Rente.

Die rol van georganiseerde landbou Die Du Plessis’s is nou betrokke by die Summerdown Boerevereniging sedert hulle aan die begin van die negen­tigerjare plaas toe is. Marius het sedertdien net twee jaar nie in die bestuur gedien nie. Hy was in totaal reeds vyf en ’n half jaar in die voorsitterstoel in twee ampstermyne. Op haar beurt het Rienie vir lank as sekreta72

Bespaar so, sê Marius Namibiese beesboere se inkomste moet jaarliks met 7% groei om dieselfde lewenstandaard te handhaaf. Dan het daar nog nie nuwe ontwikkeling of besparing plaasgevind nie.

Só het Marius du Plessis onlangs in ’n lesing by ’n boereverenigingsaamtrek gesê. “Aan die een kant moet ons ekstra inkomste genereer deur te diversifiseer en aan die ander kant moet ons uitgawes beperk en probeer spaar. Besparing is egter ’n uitdaging as ’n mens nie genoeg bedryfskapitaal het om grootmaat te koop en vir beter pryse te beding nie. Om bankgeld te gebruik, moet goed deurdink word, veral wanneer rentekoerse opwaarts beweeg soos dit tans die geval is.”

Teen sy rekenkundige agtergrond het hy studiegroepe onder boere vir gesonde finansiële bestuurspraktyke aanbeveel. Van die riglyne wat hy bespreek het, is soos volg: Begroting: Stel een op en hou daarby om beheer oor uitgawes uit te oefen. Dit is ’n algemene finansiële beginsel. Hou jou boeke maandeliks op datum en kontroleer of jy by die begroting hou. ’n Bedryfsreke­ ning vir ’n nuwe vertakking is van groot belang om, in die geval van verliese, nie ’n las op jou hoofbedryf te plaas nie.

Boekhouding: Doen jou eie boeke. Kyk na ’n maklike stelsel, hand of rekenaar, en bemagtig jouself of jou vrou om daarmee te kan werk. Dit stel jou in staat om daagliks op hoogte van uitgawes te wees. Flikker die gevaartekens, kan jy vinnig halt roep en jou besluitneming aanpas om die probleem aan te spreek.

Onderhoud: Dit is belangrik om in jaarlikse begrotings vir onderhoud voorsiening te maak. Op die manier hou jy die infrastruktuur in stand en word die verval nie later so erg dat jy herstelwerk nie meer kan bekostig nie. Maak soveel as moontlik van eie materiaal, bv. droppers en pale vir vervanging gebruik.

Arbeidsuitgawes en bestuur: Kyk na gesonde, menswaardige arbeidspraktyke. Doen navorsing oor hoe om werkers tot hoër produktiwiteit te motiveer sonder ekstra uitgawes. Laat jou werkers kursusse bywww.agriforum.com.na

woon want dit gee hulle selfvertroue en bevorder verantwoordelikheid.

Beplan kapitaaluitgawes: Ons praat nou van voertuie, trekkers, implemente en toerusting. Kyk na brandstofverbruik per kilometer en kilowatt wat nodig is en neem die grootte van die gebied wat bewerk moet word in ag. As ’n ding nog goed werk, hoef dit nie vervang te word nie. Dit hoef ook nie duurder as die buurman s’n te wees nie.

Sonkrag: Gebruik sonkrag om krag in die nasionale netwerk terug te sit. Dit is ’n eenmalige groot uitgawe, maar op die lang duur word baie geld gespaar.

Samewerking en bedinging: Deur saam aankope op grootmaat te doen, kan beter pryse beding word vir bv. kunsmis, saad, lek en brandstof. Boere kan ook saamspan om diere met een vragmotor na veilings en slagplase te vervoer. Dieselfde geld vir veeartsbesoeke waar boere in dieselfde omgewing reiskoste kan deel.

Voorrade: Beplan vooraf wat nodig is vir ’n spesifieke projek. Daarsonder kan jy maklik iets koop wat jy nie gou of ooit gaan gebruik nie.

Koop in grootmaat om ritte te beperk.

Persoonlike uitgawes: Hiervoor moet ook begroot word. Wees versigtig om nie bo jou vermoë te lewe nie. Heelwat produkte kan vir eie gebruik geproduseer word, maar hou koste in gedagte. Dit help nie jy het 20 hoenders wat eet en jy kry net 5 eiers nie. As jy ’n surplus produ­ seer, kan jy die produkte aan vriende en familie verkoop of dit verwerk vir latere gebruik of verkope. Pasop vir die hoeveelheid diere op die werf wat net eet en nie ’n inkomste inbring nie.

Bankkoste: Vergelyk jou bankkoste met dié van medeboere en onderhandel met jou bankbestuurder vir ’n gunstiger koers. Doen al jou transaksies elektronies, hetsy met die rekenaar of met debiet- en krediet­ kaarte. Vermy groot bedrae kontant.

Ter afsluiting het hy spottenderwys erken dat hy soms faal om te spaar waar hy moet. “Die pa het mos vir sy seun gesê ‘maak soos ek sê, nie soos ek doen nie’.”

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Die sitrusboord op Rente.

Stapels gekapte sparre wat deel uitmaak van diversifikasie op die plaas. Die werkers doen dit oor naweke om ’n ekstra inkomste te verdien.

Rente se mense boer in pas met natuur resse gedien. “Ons hou daarvan om betrokke en ingelig te wees. As ’n mens nie deel van die bestuur is nie, mis jy uit en weet jy nie noodwendig van alles nie.”

Die egpaar glo boereverenigings moet deesdae ook die rol van die destydse voorligtingsbeamptes vervul om jong boere te adviseer. “Ons boerevereniging hou gereeld inligtingsdae waar kundige sprekers optree.”

Voorts dien ’n boerevereniging as ’n forum waar boere bymekaar kom om kennis uit te ruil. “Omdat ons so ver van alles is, is dit ook die plek van samesyn. Ons boerevereniging het ’n sportklub wat een keer per maand vergader om vlugbal en pluimbal te speel en lek­ker saam te kuier. Ek is seker daarvan dat ons die beste boere­ vereniging in die land is,” voeg Marius trots by.

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Oor die moederorganisasie, die Namibië Landbou Unie (NLU), voel Marius ewe sterk want daarsonder kan landbou in die land nie voortbestaan nie. “Die NLU doen ongelooflik goeie werk vir boere.

Dit is ook nie net ’n kantoor in Windhoek nie. Ons lede is die NLU. Soos ’n mens ’n lid is van ’n kerk en skool is, moet jy lid van ’n boere­ vereniging en die landbou-unie wees. Dit maak jou deel van die besluitnemingsproses.”

Arbeidsake loop glad Marius het op hoërskool ’n rugbybesering opgedoen wat sy beweeglikheid beperk. Hy praat van hy boer tot ’n groot mate by die venster uit. Om dié rede skram hy weg van ’n baas- en klaas-verhou­ ding – nou nie dat dit in sy aard is nie.

Werkers val hier in om te bly. “Ons, hulle en hulle onder mekaar kom goed oor die weg. Die een voorman is reeds sedert 1985 op die plaas. Eintlik is ons een groot familie – dalk die rede vir feitlik geen personeelwisseling nie.”

Die Du Plessis’s sê hul lojale werkers is deel van hul sukses. Marius het ook ’n goeie verhouding met mense in die kommunale gebied wat teen sy grond grens. Hy volg die protokol van die hoofman, wat byvoorbeeld in die geval van veediefstal neerkom op ’n besoek aan hom sodat hy sy mense kan aansê om te help soek na jou diere.

“Ons arbeiders is baie gewillig om te help wanneer ons hul hulp nodig het. Maar dit is ’n tweerigting-straat. Ons deur moet ook vir hulle oopstaan.”

Goeie salarisse en bykomende geld vir vleis wat hulle op die plaas kan koop of kan gebruik as hulle dorp toe gaan, word betaal. As deel van hul droë rantsoen word melk gratis verskaf. Water en elektrisiteit word ook gratis voorsien.

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Dordabis couple explores alpacas’ potential Teneal Koorts

The Barnards of the Dorbabis area are in the process to add value to Namibia’s already attractive tourism landscape by developing an alpaca retreat garden.

Their Schaap Rivier Alpacas is one of a few herds in Namibia. Elsewhere in the country numbers of these camelid mammals are limited. Only a few are kept as pets or tourism attractions.

Alpaca breeder Annika Funke-Barnard says they started off in 2018 with 23 alpacas from Alpaca Loom in the Paarl, Western Cape, a year after they bought farm Sandwerf.

The current herd size is 34 females and 17 males.

“Our intention is to utilise the old traditional karakul fibre carpet weaving mill that was on the farm for weaving workshops and tourism products. Visitors can look forward to create something special while enjoying being surrounded by the calm, positive energy of these fluffily, loving and intelligent animals,” Annika says.

Sandwerf is still in a developing phase and will be open Schaap Rivier alpacas on farm Sandwerf in the Dordabis area cleanly sheared for their soughtto Namibians in a few years’ time to learn more about after fine fleece. these curious animals. The Barnards’ vision is to establish an agri-tourism company, agricultural retirement village, Appaloosheep wool but is double as warm. Virtually anything can be made sa horse stud, equine therapy and social volunteer and communifrom the wool – from clothing to bedding. ty project.

All Schaap Rivier alpacas have names and unique personalities.

“On our priority list is an alpaca park where guests can relax in These animals make excellent pets and are only sold to approved hammocks surrounded by these friendly creatures. They can walk homes with enough space for at least two alpacas. Annika says they with them and knit their own scarves from the wool of their favourdo not sell single animals because alpacas need to be among their ite alpaca.” kind. Otherwise these extremely social animals can die of loneliAlpaca wool is a globally sought-after luxury and in the top price ness. Prices vary from N$12 000 to N$30 000 per animal.

74 range for wool because it is so soft and fine. It weighs a third of The typical Namibian veld is not suitable for alpaca fleece

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Precision farming

Alpacas’ potential

Alpaca breeders Annika and Leon Barnard and employee Moses Rooinasie, whom they had sent to South Africa for training on how to shear these camelids.

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production. Grass seeds and bush can damage it significantly. “We keep them on kikuyu grass as far as possible, which is a challenge in Namibia’s climate. They would do well on more open veld, but then you need shade structures or trees to protect them against heat during the day.”

Alpacas are known to involuntarily guard sheep, and sometimes goats, as they are naturally antagonistic to dogs and predators such as jackals and caracals (rooikatte). However, their ability to do this depends on the animals’ personality and one is not enough.

At the Goanikontes Oasis Rest Camp near Swakopmund, two alpacas are part of a small zoo. René Baard says they are kept strategically with other zoo animals at night as they are extremely protective of their territory and will defend it against small predators.

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biomass utilisation

agriforum

B2Gold’s vision on rehabilitating degraded ecosystems “Bush thinning plays an important part in reThis article is part of a series focusing on bush biomass utilisation and innovative proturning functional ecosystems to environjects developed by Namibian farmers and industry stakeholders such as the bushments, especially near the Otjikoto mine in control and biomass-utilisation project (BCBU) of the GiZ and the De-bushing Advicentral Namibia.” Such is the opinion of Miya sory Service (DAS). More information on the biomass sector and latest developments Kabajani, a research co-ordinator for B2Gold can be found on these institutions’ respective websites – www.giz.de and www.das­ Namibia. On the nature reserve bush thinnamibia.org. For this issue Kirsty Watermeyer interviewed Miya Kabajani, a research ning is done manually and mechanically through contractors with strict adherence to co-ordinator for B2Gold Namibia at the Otjikoto mine, to discuss how rewilding has forestry regulations. played a key part in rehabilitating degraded ecosystems.

Miya points out that the area near the mine was previously used for cattle farming but has lost a great deal of its biodiversity due to overgrazing and bush encroachment. This continues to affect the way in which animals move and what they eat. Plant diversity in the area is also affected. “We inherited a system that was not functional. We decided to rewild and align it to B2Gold Namibia’s vision for the reserve, ensuring that all animals have enough space to move freely with an abundance of grazing.”

Miya studied nature conservation at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and has a deep passion for flora and fauna. She completed her master’s degree, with a focus on valuable woody species, and joined the environmental education centre at B2Gold, located on the Otjikoto nature reserve.

As part of NUST’s internship programme, students annually join the centre and are assigned projects as part and parcel of their work Miya Kabajani, a research co-ordinator for B2Gold Namibia’s Otjikoto mine, is an integrated learning experience. Gleanings are fed back and incoravid botanist with a great passion for nature conservation. She is part of a dediporated into B2Gold’s management strategy. This year students cated team at the Otjikoto nature reserve responsible for research into improving were tasked to look at factors affecting grass in areas that had been wildlife habitats, creating large open spaces for animals to roam and graze. thinned.

“It was interesting to see the differences in terms of species was the importance of aftercare. It is something that a lot of farmers growth. In general there was diversity in grass biomass and woody overlook.” species density, however, less variety was noted in areas that had Another successful project the B2Gold team is proud of is the renot been thinned. This goes to show that when bush thinning is habilitation nursery where over 5 000 trees have been planted from applied, farmers are creating more space for grass to grow. When seedlings within a year. This remarkable feat was recently rewarded the areas are thick, it is like putting an umbrella over the grass. Not by the Botanical Society with the tree award. much happens because the plants cannot see the sunlight.”

Miya explains that previously animals were kept close to the open Future plans clay pan. Unfortunately, the pan runs dry at a certain point of the Concentrating on land use and experimenting with bush control year, becoming a giant dust ball with no vegetation. Last year the measures has been an important endeavour for the Otjikoto mine. research department did a study and found that animals started to Wildlife numbers have continued to increase in the area, promptmigrate through the northern areas that had been thinned. “They ing B2Gold Namibia to double its efforts in improving available habhave not done this before. This has significantly reduced the impact itat space. on the pan because animals have different grazing options availa“One of our most ambitious projects is the establishment of the ble. This is the ripple effect of activity.” greater Waterberg park. This is essentially a rewilding project which Surveys also indicated that a change in grass species had taken will connect the B2Gold farms with neighbouring farms through a place during 2018, especially after a veld fire had destroyed 18 ha corridor all the way to the Waterberg national park. This will create in one of the camps due to a fallen power line. After a few thunder one big park, a people’s park. It will be a vast open system with free showers, it was noted that the turpentine grass, which animals did roaming wildlife.” not like to eat, was not growing as much.

B2Gold is also looking at commercialising some activities to sus“What we have done has worked, we have seen successes. We tain the future of the reserve, even after the mine closes. In the have taken lessons from failure and constantly adapted our stratmeantime, the education centre has many exciting research proegies and management plans. One of our most valuable lessons jects, including one that focusses on succulents and could hold possibilities for future biomass projects. “Looking at the industry itself, there is still a lot that has to be explored. We have only considered charcoal, which has turned Namibia into one of the top five exporters in the world. It would be interesting to see what else we could do.”

B2Gold, founded in 2007, is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. It has three operational gold mines and numerous development and exploration projects in various B2Gold Namibia’s education centre located on the Otjikoto nature reserve is working on a rewilding project to countries including Mali, the Philippines, Naestablish a greater Waterberg park, which aims to connect B2Gold property with neighbouring farms, creatmibia, Colombia, Finland and Uzbekistan. ing a corridor for wildlife movement.

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boerevereniging-projekte

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Boerevereniging-projekte op die voorgrond Boereverenigings of individuele lede van boereverenigings is nou betrokke by hul onderskeie gemeenskappe. So het hulle oor die jare heen talle projekte aangepak – welwillendheidswerk op voetsoolvlak wat dikwels nie wyer as die bepaalde omge­ wing bekend is nie, maar ’n beduidende verskil in mense se lewens maak. So word sosio-ekonomiese bydraes ook op nasionale vlak gelewer. Om erkenning te gee aan hierdie uitreik-aksies en ander aan te spoor om ook so te maak, word in elke uitgawe oor ’n bepaalde projek verslag gedoen. Dié keer word berig oor die Karasberge Boerevereniging wat vanjaar tot aksie oorgegaan het om hul gemeenskap in moeilike tye te ondersteun. Vir voorstelle oor blootstelling aan projekte kan Agriforum by 061-256023 gebel word.

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Saamstaan vir bystand in ’n jaar van uitdagings Die Karasberge Boerevereniging beskryf 2021 as ’n jaar van vele uitdagings, maar ook een van seën. Dié jaar het afgeskop met welkome reën ná ’n uitgerekte droogtetydperk en selfs vloede wat skade aan infrastruktuur aangerig het.

Skaars het die vreugdevure hoog gebrand en sommige oor die skok van verliese gekom toe maak die sprinkane hul opwagting wat boere tot vroeg in die winter laat bontstaan het.

Nou is hulle weer doenig, sê lede van die boerevereniging in ’n gesamentlike skrywe aan Agriforum. “’n Tekort aan kennis oor sprinkaanbestryding, gif en spuittoerusting het die be­stuur gou laat besef om lede te hulp te snel. Heelwat later het ons ook gif geskenk gekry uit verskeie oorde, meestal te danke aan Ina van Tonder van Kanaal 7.”

Tussendeur die sprinkaanplaag het Covid-19 gevalle in die omgewing ontplof wat ernstige tekorte aan hospitalisasie, verpleërs, suurstof en voedsel meegebring het. Dié boerevereni­ ging het vinnig gereageer deur ’n suurstofmasjien te koop, vleis en voedsel te skenk, etes voor te berei en ’n helpende hand uit te reik na die Patmos-kliniek op Keetmanshoop wat uit sy nate gebars het.

Einde Oktober het dié boerevereniging besluit om tydens die jaarvergadering ’n loslitdagviering te hou. “Lede het betaal om soos werkers in die voorste Covid-linie aan te trek met ’n hele paar kreatiewe idees wat aandag getrek het. Die geldinsameling was ten bate van Kanaal 7 wat dit op hul beurt weer aan Adonai Trust geskenk het om ouetehuise te ondersteun.”

Lede van die Karasberge Boerevereniging wat soos werkers in die voorste Covid-­linie Nog projekte van dié boerevereniging is jaarlikse vleis- en aangetrek het vir geldinsameling vir loslitdag. Van links is Brian Coetzee, Karalina de voedselskenkings aan die Ons Tuiste-tehuis vir bejaardes op Keetmanshoop. Op Aroab word die twee koshuise (Rooms-Ka- Scande, Leatitia Esterhuyse, Hansie Esterhuyse, Izel Ross, Carla Coetzee en Brian Coetzee (voor). toliek en staat), die private skool Excelsior en die sopkombuis Die boerevereniging bestaan uit 23 lede en 13 bylede van wie vir behoeftiges ondersteun. Dit word moontlik gemaak met geldinmeer as tien langer as 15 jaar lede is. samelingsveldtogte en bydraes van borge.

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stockman school

Cultivating relationships, nurturing growth

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Let us help you grow from strength-to-strength with our customised financial solutions.

Contact your nearest FNB branch or the FNB Business Agri division on (061) 299 7293.

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Vrouevereniging hou

63ste kongres

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Die Namibiese Vrouevereniging (NVV) het vroeg November lede by Heja Game Lodge digby Windhoek verwelkom vir hul 63ste kongres met die tema “vlieg hoog”. Die eerste aand is heerlik en deftig saamgekuier met rooi tapyt en ’n fotohoekie, gevolg deur die kongres die volgende dag.

Soos gebruiklik was die marktafel ’n treffer wat vir ’n stewige opbrengs van N$10 188 gesorg het. Voorts is ’n elektroniese weergawe van die NVV-nuusbrief, Vonkel, bekend gestel by die geleentheid.

Die Namibiese Vrouevereniging (NVV) se onlangse kongres is deur 72 lede ondersteun, waar suksesse van die afgelope twee jaar gevier is. Weens Covid-19 is die kongres nie verlede jaar aangebied nie.

Jaarprojek bereik honderde landwyd Die NVV se vier streke het vanjaar die projek ’helpende hande’ uitge­ rol. Te midde van die Covid-19-pandemie het dié vroue saam­ge­ staan om ’n hand van hulp uit te reik na gesondheidswerkers en slagoffers van dié virus. Die Ametis-streek in die suide het N$31 000 ingesamel met ’n WhatsApp-veiling wat aan die twee vrouedokters op Keetmanshoop oorhandig is vir hul onbaatsugtige diens. Die Saffier-streek in die suide het bederfpakkies by families besorg wat deur die virus geraak is, terwyl geestelike ondersteuning gegee is waar nodig. In die Akwamaryn-streek in sentraal-Namibië het NVVlede mandjies gebrei met klein bederfies daarin vir pasiënte en gesondheidswerkers. In die Toermalyn-streek van die kusdorpe is 120 bederf- en kospakkies by die Cottage-hospitaal op Swakopmund en Lifelink op Hentiesbaai afgelewer.

Verkiesing van vise-presidente

NVV-president Hermien van den Berg (middel) stel die twee nuut verkose visepresidente bekend. Links van haar is Annette la Cock, die tweede vise, en regs is Gerrie Scholtz (regs), die eerste vise.

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NVV-president spreek haar trots uit In haar verwelko­ mings­­toespraak by die 2021-kongres van die Namibiese Vrouever­ eniging (NVV) het presi­ dent Hermien van den Berg haar trots uitge­ spreek oor welwillendheid wat hoogty ge­vier het tydens die derde golf van die Covid19-pandemie.

“Die projek ’helpende hande’ is dwarsoor die land uitgerol en NVVlede het onverwyld mense in nood by­ ge­staan. Die moue is omtrent opgerol om bederfpakkies, etes en finansiële bydraes te maak. Ons het erkenning en ondersteuning gegee aan dokters, hospitaalwerkers en ambulans- en brandweerpersoneel,” het Hermien gesê.

Sy meen 2020 en 2021 sal bekend staan as die jare van die Covid-­ 19-pandemie waartydens die wêreld gekonfronteer is met siekte, dood en hartseer, maar ook terugveg en oorlewing. “’n Groot dan­ kie aan elkeen van die streke wat ’n verskil in hul gemeenskappe gemaak het. Ek is trots op elke NVV-lid wat in moeilike tye saamstaan, mekaar ondersteun en ’n verskil in mense se lewens maak. Mooi loop, sprei jul vlerke en vlieg hoog.” www.agriforum.com.na

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Ietsie soet, fyn, sout, klein.

Met Bakpro is alles piekfyn!

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Vonkel-vrou van die jaar

agriforum

Kompetisiewenners

Magda Heunis van die Dramekaar-tak wat aangewys is as die 2021 Vonkelvrou vir haar ongelooflike bydraes tot die helpende hande-projek. Dit is die eerste keer dat so ’n toekenning gemaak is.

Karien Marais van die Keetmans­ hoop-tak is die lid met die hoogste puntetelling vir 2021. Sy het ook derde plek behaal vir haar gemmerkoekies.

Die kompetisiewenners van 2020 en 2021 is by vanjaar se kongres aangekondig, waar hul handwerk ook ten toon gestel is.

Jacky Koorts van die Grootfontein-­ tak het namens Christine van Wyk ’n eerste prys medalje gevat vir haar smul­lekker gemmerkoekies (2021).

Linda Lombaard van Marientaltak is aangewys as die lid met die hoogste puntetelling in 2020 se kompetisies. Sy het onder meer ’n eerste plek in makramiewerk en ’n tweede plek in hekel behaal.

Dr Marina Muller van die Kenmekaar-tak, die wenner in die masjienwerk-kompetisie. Sy was ook die naaswenner met haar borduurwerk en vir he­ kel het sy die derde plek ingepalm. Beide toekennings was vir 2020.

Amelia van Rooyen van die Aroabtak het die eerste plekke vir hekelwerk (2020) en Dot Art (2021) op haar ver­ enig.

Soothing farmers’ wounds Naartjie and ginger beer-glazed gammon Jingle your way into your family’s hearts this Christmas with a mouth-watering golden brown and glossy naartjie and ginger beer-glazed gammon.

Pure Delight would like to make a donation of their sought-after marula oil to those affected by burn wounds during the recent veld fires. Marula oil is high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids. It has excellent healing, anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory properties. Therefore, it is extremely helpful in the healing of wounds and diminishing of scars. “We are proud to live in a country where we look after each other. Thank you to the firefighters and citizens that have worked so hard. Our hearts go out to anyone affected.” Call Pure Delight on 081 270 8567 to get your marula oil.

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Ingredients 2 to 3 kg cured and smoked gammon with bone left in 2 ℓ ginger beer 5 rind and juiced naartjies (tangerines) 1 peeled and halved onion 3 star anise 1 cinnamon stick 45 ml (3 tbsp) muscovado sugar 1 garlic clove Method Preheat the oven to 150°C. Place the gammon skin-side down in a large oven dish. Pour over 1,5 ℓ of the ginger beer, add the naartjie rind and juice from three of the naartjies, the onion, star anise and cinnamon stick. Cover the

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roasting dish with foil and place in the oven for about 3 hours and 30 minutes or until the ham is tender. Pour off the cooking liquid and allow the gammon to cool. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the remaining ginger beer, naartjie rind and juice and the sugar until dissolved.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for about five minutes until slightly thickened to form a glaze. Increase the oven temperature to 200 °C. Lift the skin off the gammon, making sure to leave a layer of fat, then score the fat into diamond shapes. Press pieces of garlic clove into the tip of each diamond shape, then return to the oven dish. Brush with the glaze and roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes until caramelised, basting every now and then until golden brown and glossy. Caramelise naartjie slices in a pan with a little muscovado sugar and serve with the gammon (Source: Food and Home). www.agriforum.com.na

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Plaasvroue span saam vir Kersmarkte

Van die verre suide tot die verre noordweste het plaasvroue saamgespan om Kersmarkte aan te bied. Agriforum het foto’s van die voorslagvroue op Kamanjab en Karasburg foto’s ontvang. Verblydend was die deelname van die jonger geslag. Talle stalletjies is beman waar ’n magdom produkte gekoop kon word

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... pannekoek, handgemaakte juwele en Kersversierings, gehekelde lappies en poppies, kerse, hondebedjies, vars groente en ’n verskeidenheid van plante. Op Karas­burg het die Kokerboom Kwiltersvereniging ook deelgeneem. Albei die gemeenskappe spog met goeie bywoning en beoogde uitbreidings vir Kersmarkte.

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woordfokus

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As al die deure toeklap ...

Dr André Olivier, NG-gemeente Aranos

Elvis Blue se liedjie kom draai in my kop toe ek voor die rekenaar inskuif en wonder hoe begin ek met ’n Kersfeesboodskap. “Al die deure was toe, maar die Hemel was oop ...” Dit is waar ek gaan begin.

Oor maande al word tasse gepak, en die vliegtuigkaartjies lê en glimlag breed vir ons.

Die dag breek aan. Ons pak die lang pad aan Kaap toe. Daar wag die vliegtuig wat ons oor die groot waters moet neem – na ons kinders in die Verenigde Koninkryk waar almal wag op die geboorte van ’n seuntjie. Die nuwe seun­tjie van ’n pa vir wie so baie mense amper veertig jaar gelede gebid het en wat vandag ’n helder ligstraal en liefling in ons almal se lewens is. Vir hierdie nuwe seuntjie is ook baie gebid.

Uiteindelik is ons op pad ... Toe klap die deure toe. Alle vlugte na Engeland is met onmiddellike effek opgeskort. Dit is mos nie in ons aard om dit sommer so te aanvaar nie. Allerhande ander planne gemaak. Vlieg na een of ander eiland waar ons kan wag om daarvandaan na Engeland te vlieg. Daardie eilande se deure klap ook die een na die ander toe. Daar was niks aan die saak te make nie.

Al die deure was toe. Hierdie is maar net ons gesin se klein verhaal in die see van duisende sulke verhale. Die mensdom is kollektief in dieselfde bootjie. Deur op deur klap toe, fami­lies en gesinne word uitmekaar geruk. En dit ge-

beur juis in die seisoen van welwillendheid wanneer ons bymekaar wil wees.

Watter sin vind ons hierin? Vinnige antwoor­ de gaan ons ook nêrens bring nie. Die verhaal van Josef kom in my kop. ’n Seuntjie is vir sy bederf-pa en ma gebore. Hy kry selfs ’n veel­ kleu­rige mantel om te wys hoe verhewe hy lyk in die oë van sy ouers. Hy was ver­on­der­stel om as seuntjie in sy ouerhuis groot te word en sy lewensdoel sonder toe deure te bereik. Dit is wat ons sou verwag, maar dit verloop anders.

Hoeveel deure het nie in sy gesig toegeklap nie. Selfs ’n onverdiende tronkdeur.

Dan breek die mooiste uur aan waarvan ons lees in die Bybel. Josef maak hom aan sy broers bekend. Sonder verwyt, sonder om vergifnis te verwag. Sommer só. Onvoorwaardelike versoening en vergifnis. Ja, al die deure was inder­ daad toe vir Josef, maar die Hemel was altyd oop! Hy het direk volgens die bestiering van God geleef sonder om te kommer en te kla. In totale gehoorsaamheid. God se bestemming vir hom was volmaak – evangelies volmaak. So was dit met die verhaal van die verlore seun, en so was dit met die geboorte van die Nuwe Testamentiese Josef, die Christus. Hy kom uit die oop Hemel na ons sonder ver­w yt, sonder om vergifnis van ons te vereis, net om te kom versoen en te vergewe toe ons nog niks daarvan verdien het nie.

Ons sien net sinlose toe deure, maar God sien ’n groter doel. Die versoeningsoomblik tussen Josef en sy broers ontsluit ’n nuwe toekoms vir God se vasgeloopte volk en ’n nuwe begin tussen die vader en die verlore seun – van ’n paleislewe teenoor ’n lewe tussen die varke. Die versoeningsoomblik aan die kruis, moontlik gemaak deur die geboorte van God se Seun in ons gebroke wêreld, is die begin van die Herskepping. Alles word nuut gemaak.

Die toe deure is nie toegeslaan deur ’n wrede noodlot nie. God weet waarheen Hy ons lei. Hy weet wanneer watter deur vir ons moet oopswaai. Hy is met ons elkeen perfek op pad.

Die vlug na ons seun en kleinseun is toe, maar die Hemel is altyd oop. Waar ons ons ook al bevind, sal ons nie verhinder om die her­den­king van die geboorte van Sy Seun te vier nie. Dit is vir ons elkeen beskore, met die belofte dat God se bestemming vir Sy gehoorsame kinders altyd perfek sal wees. Die deur na die Kind in die krip kan deur niemand ge­ sluit word nie. Stap in en ervaar Hom opnuut.

Dit is ’n voorreg bo alle ander kosbare voorregte. Die herdenking van Sy geboorte kan die geboorte van ’n nuwe begin in jou lewe wees. Gryp dit aan.

Mag jy ’n geseënde Kersfees en gelukkige nuwe jaar geniet. Jou Hemel is altyd oop, al is al die deure toe.

Mahindra, the no 1 tractor company in the world by volume, now at home in South Africa November marked a milestone for Mahindra as it officially took over all tractor and farm equipment operations in South Africa. This means that the company now offers a complete range of Mahindra tractors and farm equipment through a network of dealers with technical and customer service support directly offered by its head office and parts distribution centre in Gauteng.

To provide the farmer with this wide range of products, the local arm of the Indian group announced the opening of seven dealers across South Africa and Namibia – situated in Randfontein, Brits, Strand, Nigel, Malelane, Groblersdal (with a satellite branch in Middelburg) and Windhoek. Mahindra SA says it will soon announce the appointment of additional dealers and will further expand its farm equipment range to include more products from global subsidiaries in a phased manner.

Mahindra first launched its range of farming equipment on local soil in May 2019. For two and a half years, it has partnered with regional resellers to help create a footprint in major agricultural hubs, establishing relations with farmers and organisations to offer customer support.

“With the rapid growth in interest in our range 84

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of tractors and other equipment and given our ambitious plan to firmly establish South Africa as Mahindra’s second home outside of India, we decided to take full control of our agricultural division. This means that where we assisted a third party to sell, service and support farmers in the past, we will now do so directly. After careful consideration and market assessment, we have decided that one of our most important customer segments – the farmers – would be better served by Mahindra distributing the product range. This decision aligns with Mahindra’s vision of establishing itself as a household name in the Southern African market,” says Rajesh Gupta, chief executive of Mahindra South Africa.

Mahindra is the world’s largest manufacturer of tractors by volume, and they have a strong following in large agricultural markets such as the USA and Australia. These markets in many ways mirror the agricultural sector in South Africa, which will allow Mahindra to lean on insights to best serve its local client base.

“The Mahindra range of farming equipment has proven reliable and highly popular in many harsh environments across the world. Equally

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the case in South Africa, where tractor owners report unmatched levels of durability, ease of maintenance and fuel efficiency,” says Rajesh, adding that Mahindra is the recipient of the prestigious Deming Prize and Japan Quality Medal.

At a special virtual launch event on 18 November 2021 Mahindra SA introduced its product range and several service and support innovations. The range includes products from Sampo Rosenlew of Finland, Mitsubishi Mahindra Agri Machinery of Japan and Hisarlar and Erkunt equipment from Turkey. Together with the Mahindra EarthMaster Yellow Metal and Mahindra Powerol generators, these products make for exciting offerings to the South African farmer.

Mahindra says it will provide an up to threeyear, 3 000-hours mechanical warranty and a two-year, 2 000-hours service kit that is to come standard with all tractors. The manufacturer promises minimum tractor downtime through a three-working day turnaround for tractor breakdowns. This process will be tech-enabled through the MZanzi App, which already offers a suite of services to Mahindra’s automotive customers and has now been extended to the company’s farm equipment customers. www.agriforum.com.na

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NLU-president se Kersboodskap Hoe neem ’n mens afskeid van 2021? ’n Jaar wat so ongenaakbaar geoes het onder ons landbougeledere en breë Namibiese volk? Waar soveel plekke­leeg gaan wees om die Kerstafel? Só sal 2022 opnuut ’n jaar van eerstes wees?

Net toe ons wil-wil normaal begin leef en toeristevoertuie ’n meer algemene gesig op bekende roetes raak, Kersbome versier word onder begeleiding van Kersmusiek, kom maak die omicron-variant sy op­ wag­ting en krap weer alles deurmekaar. Dit is dan wanneer die besef deurdring dat ons mensekinders dikwels so roekeloos die lewe as van­ self­sprekend leef sonder om te besin oor sekerlik dié belangrikste aspek van die lewe ... die Ewige Lewe.

Wat is ons waardes en waarmee vul ons die dag se 24 ure en die 12 maande van die jaar? Leef ons God se gebooie of verwag ons net Sy liefde, vergifnis en voorspoed? Die boek Jesaja leer ons van beide – ongehoorsaamheid wat vandag steeds relevant is, maar die geboorte van ons Verlosser en Saligmaker en daarmee hoop vir môre.

Daarom kan ons, wat die onbeskryflike voorreg het om op ’n daag­ likse basis met die Skepping om te gaan, die boere en boerinne van

hierdie harde maar ontsaglik dankbare heimatland vir 2021 groet en met groot verwagting na 2022 uitsien. Ons verlede hou ons nie meer gevange nie, ons hartseer en pyn word vervang met troos en visie en ons leef ons roeping om nie net die liggaam van broers en susters te voed nie, maar ook sielskos uit te deel omdat ons die geboorte van die Jesus-kind en Sy latere sterwe aan die kruis vir ons sondes verstaan.

Mag elkeen in hierdie feestyd opnuut verstom staan voor die wonder van die krip, dankbaar kniel daar op die plaas voor jou beeste of skaap se krip omdat ons deur Hom uitgekies is om Sy skepping te bestuur. Besef ons die verantwoordelikheid volkome?

Geseënde Kersfees en mag 2022 ’n wonderlike landboujaar wees!

Kantoorjolyt so in die gees van feestyd

Lofdig aan boere Daar is ’n gesegde wat lui “eenmaal in jou lewe het jy ’n prokureur nodig, eenmaal in jou lewe het jy ’n dokter nodig, eenmaal in jou lewe het jy ’n predikant nodig, maar drie keer op dag het jy ’n boer nodig.”

Politici mag dink hulle heers oor land en see Korruptes mag hulle verbeel hul aksies bly in duister gehul Soldate mag slagvelde wen en vredesverdrae smee Seevaarders mag oseane tem en nuwe wêrelde onthul Oraloor is ’n bietjie van dié en ’n bietjie van daai Maar sonder die boer wat saai en maai Kan hulle planne beraam en antwoorde soek Want sonder die Boer is hulle nie gevoed.

Skrywers kan stories uitdink en verhale skryf Digters kan woorde vleuels gee en sangers lirieke laat sing Beeldhouers kap weg wat nie deel is van die lyf Onderwysers doen verantwoordelik altyddeur hul plig Oraloor is ’n bietjie van dié en ’n bietjie van daai In geloof gaan die boer aan om met verwagting te saai Die ontwikkeling gaan voort, onverpoos en verwoed Want die boer moet hulle almal voed Dokters kan genees en sny en heel Regslui kan verdedig en vonnisse vel Mens kan besig wees van dag tot dag of hom dood verveel Van konings se weelde tot bedelaars se dae van hel Oraloor is ’n bietjie van dié en ’n bietjie van daai Die boer moet altyddeur sorg, ongeag wat Toesien dat sy vennote – grond, lug, reën en wind – Mekaar in harmonie vind en ontmoet Om só die hongeres te voed Mag God julle seën wat saai en plant en diere veredel in geloof Mag jul harte lig wees en jul beursies swaar raak Mag positiewe denke en passie vir jul gesinne en plase Die handrem losmaak en voet op pedaal sit Sodat daar vorentoe beweeg word met resultate Gebou op stewige fondasies (Uittreksel uit NLU-president Pieter Gouws se feesboodskap by die Leonardville Boerevereniging se sewentigste bestaansjaarvie­ringe – sien bl 31) 86

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Wat ’n joligheid! Personeel van die NLU en Agriforum het saamgespan vir ’n vinnige jaareindfunksie oor ’n middag-etensuur net voordat die meeste na hul vakan­ siebestemmings begin vertrek het. Omicron se opwagting het planne vir ’n defti­ ger partytjie elders bederf, maar nie die vrolike gees nie. ’n Groot boks met Kers­versierings is na hartelus verken om opgetof die afsluiting van ’n uitdagende jaar op te vrolik. Agriforum wens lesers en adverteerders ’n voorspoedige feestyd toe. Die NLU dra ook sy feesgroete oor aan sy lede, koöperatiewe lede en borge.

Agriforum se span is 10 Januarie 2022 weer op hul pos.

BOERETROOS In Kersfeesluim • Wat is elke ouer se gunsteling Kerslied? Stille Nag • Ek het begin verwag dat, op die ouderdom van ses jaar, my ondersoekende seuntjie sal begin twyfel oor Sinterklaas. Hy sê: “Mamma, ek dink ek het iets oor Sinterklaas, die Paashaas en die tandmuis ontdek.”Ek skep diep asem en vra hom: “Wat is dit?” Hy antwoord: “Hulle is almal nagtelike besoekers.”

• Wat het geword van die dief wat ’n Kerskalender gesteel het? Hy het 12 maande gekry.

• Jy doen al die werk vir die vieringe en een of ander vet ou in ’n pak kry al die eer.

• Sinterklaas se skip het teen ’n rots gevaar en ’n gat is uit die romp geruk. Een van die Piete kom haastig aangestap en begin nog ’n gat langsaan boor. “Wat doen jy nou, Piet?” vra Sinterklaas verskrik.

“Wel, nou kan die water weer na buite stroom.”

In nuwejaarsluim • Hierdie nuwe jaar is die een waar ek by my voorneme gaan hou … geen dieet die hele jaar lank nie!

• Ek sou al my slegte gewoontes vir die nuwe jaar wou los, maar toe onthou ek niemand hou van iemand wat tou opgooi nie.

• Dit is belastingtyd. Ek weet dit, want ek staar na dokumente wat vir my geen sin maak nie, maak nie saak hoeveel biere ek drink nie.

Ware woorde “Diegene wat nie Kersfees in hul harte het nie, sal dit nie onder ’n boom vind nie.” Roy L Smith www.agriforum.com.na