Namfarmers Magazine March

Namfarmers Namibia’s Farmers Magazine | www.namfarmers.com.na | March 2021

N$25 (VAT Inc.)

THE RIGHT WAY TO HATCHING AND RAISING DAY OLD CHICKS - CHIMATI POULTRY SUCCESSFULLY FARMING WITH SHEEP, IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF NAMIBIA THE VITAL ROLE OF EMPLOYEES ON A FARM

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Namfarmers

CONTENTS

Published by Wernock Investment Tel: 085 709 0 370 Po Box 23875, Windhoek www.namfarmers.com.na

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Sales/Advertising Hilfa Hilifa Cell: +264 81 231 5 299 Email: info@namfarmers.com.na Accounts manager Werner Shimbamba 085 709 0 370 accounts@namfarmers.com.na Editorial Editor: Ismael Shilongo ihshilng@gmail.com +264813245612 Design & Layout Senior designer: Pyranam Group Investment CC Tel:+264 85 735 5672 | +264 81 8337830 Email:designbypyranam@zohomail.com ISSN2026-8726

Disclaimer All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the publishers. The information provided and opinions expressed in this publication are provided in good faith but do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher or editor.

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IFAT AFRICA, ANALYTICA LAB AFRICA AND FOOD & DRINK TECHNOLOGY (FDT) AFRICA SET FOR NOVEMBER 2021

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AMINIUS CROP FARMERS, DETERMINED TO SECURE SAFE & STABLE MARKET. HOEKOM FASEVOEDING BY BRAAIKUIKENS? THE RIGHT WAY TO HATCHING AND RAISING DAY OLD CHICKS

SUCCESSFULLY FARMING WITH SHEEP, IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF NAMIBIA.

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FARMING IS ALL ABOUT TEAM WORK. THE VITAL ROLE OF EMPLOYEES ON A FARM. FARMERS’ COOPERATION HIGHLY REQUIRED AS THE FIGHT TO CONTAIN FMD OUTBREAK CONTINUE.

SKAAPBOERDERY IN DIE SUIDE VAN NAMIBIË

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THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR NEEDS SOME TIME, TO REBUILD HERDS

TOP PERFORMER LEARNER GIVES HIS VIEW, TOWARDS THE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE

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YOU NEED TO GIVE YOURSELF SOME TIME (PATIENCE).

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, patience is the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient.

Patient is defined as the ability to not be hasty or impetuous and bearing pains or trials calmly and without complaint. Patience is a very critical component and key ingredients that farmers need to have during their farming journey. Patience is very much needed as farmers start off and it is even more vital throughout the process once they have taken off.

There is a very thin lining between being patience and wasting time. We do not condone farmers to waste their time on petty items, however if a farmer have fully identified, what they strive to do and achieve, they would then be required to have patience before this materialise. Patience is that component that farmers need to hold on, the day they realise their vision on farming and their path towards attaining that. This component is needed throughout the journey by farmers until they pass on the baton to the next generation. At the same time, they should not lose their zeal & enthusiasm towards farming.

Almost, everything in farming takes time and one have to be very patient. Farming does not necessary entail one, coming now and getting your return now. This would be against the rule of the game, one would have to work and wait. Furthermore; in-between as farmers practice their farming initiative, they will encounter different experiences and challenges. Ordeals that would require famers to display the token of patience.

The old saying, “Rome was not build in a day” applies here; it takes time to grow your farming venture.

Most importantly, one should stay focused and keep on pushing with their farming practice. Farmers should give themselves some time & consistently keep on doing what is necessary (day in and day out). Eventually as time goes by, things will start coming and falling in place.

Happy reading..

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IFAT Africa, analytica Lab Africa and food & drink technology (fdt) Africa set for November 2021

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Co-located industry trade show to be hosted in November 2021

FAT Africa, analytica Lab Africa and food & drink technology (fdt) Africa set for November 2021 Co-located industry trade show to be hosted in November 2021

Messe Muenchen South Africa, presenters of analytica Lab Africa, IFAT Africa and food & drink technology (fdt) Africa, are gearing up to present the three events in a mega co-located trade show at the end of this year.

The three events, traditionally co-located to give industry stakeholders access to networking and markets across integrated sectors, have been rescheduled from mid-2021, and will be hosted in South Africa in November.

Suzette Scheepers, CEO of Messe Muenchen South Africa, says: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have postponed these trade shows from July 2021, to 2-4 November 2021. This will allow us time to implement global best practice health and safety measures and design exhibition area layouts that

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enable in-person networking while still maintaining the required social distancing,” she says.

The measures will align local and international Covid-19 safety measures throughout exhibition areas, forum areas, catering areas and transport, with new approaches to managing venue capacity, ventilation, staff safety training, contact tracing and disinfection of stands.

Scheepers says that while virtual events have proven beneficial in connecting delegates throughout lockdown, nothing offers the fullsensory experience required for business development and decisionmaking as exhibitions do. “Many business partnerships begin as encounters on the exhibition floor or over lunch. Therefore, we are bringing back the real-life event to help pan-African and international stakeholders get back to business.”

A comprehensive marketing strategy has been designed and is already being implemented to support exhibitors’ marketing efforts

to their prospective customers via an integrated digital marketing solutions package. This will enable exhibitors to develop and maintain market awareness and industry networking from the time that they sign up to participate.

IFAT Africa, food & drink technology Africa and analytica Lab Africa, to be staged at Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, will highlight the synergies and address the challenges across the water and wastewater, food and beverage processing, laboratory and analytical industries.

IFAT Africa is the leading trade fair for water, sewage, refuse and recycling in Southern Africa, featuring solutions from around the world and a high-calibre forum programme addressing trends, challenges and solutions from the water, sewage, refuse and recycling sectors.

A new highlight at IFAT Africa will be the Renewable Energy Zone – Powered by IFAT, which will present solutions and opportunities across www.namfarmers.com.na

the key renewables sectors. These include solar, wind, hydropower, biomass and bio waste technologies and services.

Analytica lab Africa is the only trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, biotechnology and diagnostics in South Africa.

Food & drink technology Africa (fdt Africa), presents food and beverage manufacturing solutions from innovative developments for resource conservation to raw materials, through to processing, filling and packaging machines.

The three events, traditionally co-located to give industry stakeholders access to networking and markets across integrated sectors.

For further information visit www.ifat-africa.com; www.analytica-africa.com and www.fdt-africa.com or to showcase your solutions contact Messe Muenchen at info@mm-sa.com.

Aminius crop farmers, determined to secure safe & stable market.

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variety of crop farmers throughout the country have been experiencing the harsh reality of the lack of formal markets. Producing fresh produce is one factor and securing safe formal market for the produce is another critical factor.

Aminius crop farmers within Omaheke region hosted a farmers` session day on the 18th of February with officials from AMTA. The farmers session day was carried out, as farmers implore ways on finding common ground with AMTA in securing formal market for their fresh produce.

Some of the products that farmers produce includes; cowpeas, onions, butternuts, cabbages, pumpkins, Maize, Spinach and watermelons.

During the farmers’ information session day, AMTA officials briefed the farmers of their services (how they operate), their roles and what they expect from farmers as they strive to secure www.namfarmers.com.na

formal market for them.

Speaking to Carlos Tjiho an agricultural technician based in Aminius, he says that it was very critical for these crop farmers to host such a day with officials from AMTA. According to him, crop farmers within Aminius always faced an uphill battle in marketing their fresh produce & securing formal markets of where to sell them. With the help of AMTA, the farmers will be assisted under the umbrella of farmers’ cooperative where they would then be added

on AMTA`s database and enter into some agreement. It is through this agreement or contract, which would ensure that the farmers are able to sell their fresh produce to AMTA.

Previously, the farmers would normally market & sell their produce to the locals, however the local market within their surrounding is too small to fully absorb their entire produce. As with the help of AMTA, for future purposes they would be able to secure stable market of where to sell their produce.

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HOEKOM FASEVOEDING BY BRAAIKUIKENS? Deur Carlien Dames – Monogastriese voedingskundige

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et verloop van jare het die koste om ‘n braaikuiken groot te maak tot slaggereedheid, al duurder geword.

Die toename in koste kan toegeskryf word aan heelwat faktore, onder andere duurder voerkoste (toename in die koste van rou materiale), krag en water asook medikasie koste en ander. As gevolg van hierdie styging het die belangrikheid toegeneem om kuikens so effektief moontlik groot te maak om die laagste insetkoste te verseker. Voer is die grootste koste van die totale insetkoste om braaikuikens uit te groei, daarom die druk om die voer so effektief moontlik om gesonde, optimale groei te verseker. Van laasgenoemde kom die hele idee van fasevoeding.

WAT IS FASEVOEDING? Fasevoeding is die voer van verskillende voere, met verskillende nutrient waardes, tydens die verskillende groei ouderdomme van die kuiken. Hierdie praktyk word so gevolg aangesien die kuiken tydens sy opeenvolgende groeifases verskillende nutrient behoeftes het. Hoe ouer die kuiken word, hoe stadiger is die relatiewe groeitempo.

Dit beteken dat die relatiewe hoeveelheid voedingstowwe wat benodig word, afneem namate die ouderdom toeneem. Wanneer slegs een tipe voer deur die kuiken se totale lewe gevoer word, sal daar slegs aan www.namfarmers.com.na

die gemiddelde nutrient behoeftes van die kuiken voldoen word en nie aan die spesifieke nutrient behoefte nie. Die kuiken sal dus groei maar nie teen maksimale genetiese potensiaal nie. Wanneer fasevoeding gevolg word, verkry die kuiken presies sy nutrient behoefte tydens elke fase en sal die kuiken maksimale genetiese groei potensiaal kan bereik. Die oorvoeding of ondervoeding van nutriënte word ook dan vermy.

Fasevoeding wissel meestal van 3 tot 5 fases. Hoe meer fases hoe beter moet die bestuur daarvan wees, aangesien daar ‘n spesifieke dag aangedui word waarop die kuiken moet oorskuif na die volgende fase. Die standaard fasevoeding program bestaan uit 3 fases; Aanvangskrummels, Groeikorrels en Afrondkorrels.

Aanvangskrummels word gewoonlik gevoer van dag-oud tot ongeveer dag 13. Die vorm van die voer is fyner as dié van die groei – en afrond korrels. Die rede hiervoor is dat die kuiken nog baie klein is en nie noodwendig groot partikels effektief sal kan op-pik nie. Die eerste twee weke van die kuiken se lewe is die periode waar die vinnigste skelet-, spier- en immuunsisteem ontwikkeling plaasvind. Om hierdie rede is die aanvangskrummels die nutrient digste voer van al die fases.

Dit het onder andere ‘n hoër protein en minerale waarde as die ander

fases.

Die groeikorrels word gewoonlik gevoer vanaf dag 14 tot minimum 3 dae voor slag. Hierdie voer is minder nutrient dig, maar verskaf wel alle nodige nutriënte nodig vir verdere effektiewe groei.

Minerale persentasies is ook minder as in die aanvangskrummels, aangesien oorvoorsiening van minerale soms nadelig kan wees vir die kuiken, en ook dan natuurlik onnodige ekstra kostes dra indien dit steeds in die voer gevoeg sou word.

Die afrondkorrels word die laaste 3-5 dae vir die kuiken gevoer. Die is die minste nutrient dig van al die fases. Die hoof rede vir die voer van hierdie fase, is om voorsiening te maak om enige medisinale produkte uit die voer, en uit die kuiken te onttrek voor slag. Die medisinale produk soos genoem is byvoorbeeld die koksidiostaat. ‘n Koksidiostaat voorkom koksidiose in groeiende kuikens. Koksidiose is ‘n geïnfekteerde dermtoestand van die kuikens, veroorsaak deur protozoa (enkelsel parasiete). Dit is die siekte wat reg oor die wêreld die meeste aangemeld word in hoenderhuise. Simptome van hierdie siekte kan insluit bloederige mis, hoë mortaliteit en ‘n daling in voer inname. Dermskade kan aanleiding gee tot ander bakteriese siektes om pos te vat in die kuiken en verskeie verergerende gesondheidstoestande 05

veroorsaak.

Dit is dus van groot belang om hierdie siekte te voorkom om groot finansiële verliese te keer.

Tesame met die fasevoeding word daar ook voerprogramme deur Feedmaster verskaf wat presies aandui hoe die fasevoeding aangewend moet word om suksesvolle groei van jou kuikens te verseker.

Wanneer jy egter jou eie program volg en nie die vooropgestelde voorskrifte soos verskaf nie, kan onsuksesvolle groei nie noodwendig aan die voerverskaffer toegeskryf word nie.

‘n Aanduiding van hoe die lisien (‘n bousteen van protein) en Kalsium se

behoefte afneem namate die kuiken ouer word.

VIR VERDERE NAVRAE, KONTAK VOERMEESTER : 061 290 1300

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THE RIGHT WAY TO HATCHING AND RAISING DAY OLD CHICKS – CHIMATI POULTRY.

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he poultry industry is a big sector consisting of different and interconnected supply value chain. Often when people hear about the poultry industry, the first thing that comes to mind is either a picture of layers or broilers.

However, before the chickens fully reaches maturity stage as layers or broilers, there is an interesting and initial process of hatching and raising the chicks.

Spearheaded by Lisias Ashipala, Chimati poultry is a farming venture that hatch and raises day old chicks. Lisias Ashipala is a Marketing specialist by profession and founded Chimati poultry, while he was in his 1st year studying at the International University of Management (IUM).

This was in 2016.

All the magic of hatching and raising the chicks occurs in one of their compound based in Windhoek.

Chimati Poultry focuses on producing two breeds; the boschvelder and the layers. The boschvelder are the native traditional chicken, this are hatched and raised at Chimati poultry. The layers are imported from South Africa, while they are still very small chicks. “We get our eggs from the farm, one of our farm entities that we work with. From the farms, the eggs are transported to Windhoek, since that is where the hatchery is based,” says Lisias. www.namfarmers.com.na

THE PROCESS OF HATCHING According to Lisias, the first steps to ensuring success in your hatching process is to acquire quality eggs.

The success of the chicks highly depends on the quality of the eggs.

Once the eggs are ready from the farm, they gets transported to Windhoek. Upon arrival, the eggs are inspected and then placed into the hatchery machine. It is within the hatchery machine where the eggs are incubated and hatched.

“Our hatchery machines, that we are currently using are 4000 setter meaning they can take up to 4000 eggs”, says Lisias. It takes around twenty one (21) days to incubate & hatch the eggs.

FROM THE INCUBATION MACHINE, TO A VERY GOOD COSY SHELTER. Once the eggs are hatched, the chicks are removed from the machine and placed into a comfortable, warm and relaxed shelter. At this stage, the chicks are very small, vulnerable and they need to be well handled and taken care of. Every time, after a cycle of eggs are hatched or incubated, the incubation machine will be disinfectant to prepare it in advance for the next intake of eggs. “The shelter where we keep our chicks, we use the material for tents, simply

tent like structure. This material is very good as it traps the heat which is very much needed by the chicks”, says Lisias. The chicks needs a certain amount of heat and an environment of about ± 36 °C so that they may not suffer from coldness.

Depending on the size of the coop, it should consist of a light bulb or several light bulbs. According to Lisias, these bulbs needs to be switched on (day & night) from the very first day the chicks are hatched until they are around 4 to 5 weeks.

As a result, because the light are on (throughout), it also means that the chicks will be eating every now and then hence more feed have to be provided. The light bulbs do play a vital role as they provide warmth and that needed suitable temperature for the environment.

After some time, Lisias and his team will then vaccinate the chicks before they supply them to clients. “The most important thing that we tell our clients, it`s that they should take care of their chicks, as they are vulnerable and exposed to a lot of items. Hence, bio-security and hygiene is highly emphasised when dealing with chicks,” says Lisias. The chicks also needs to be fed the right diet (nutritional), should receive the necessary vitamins and be getting a regular health inspection. At Chimati poultry, their top priority is supplying 07

Chicks needs to be well handled and taken care of. top quality chicks to their clients.

They believe that supplying top quality chicks is the magic that make clients to come back. “The moment you begin to supply unhealthy chicks, that`s a sure way of chasing away the customers,” says Lisias.

DAILY ROUTINE According to Lisias, morning time is always the busiest time as it is during this time that they ship out most of their chicks to clients in various parts of the country (most clients often hails from the north).

“The first thing that we do when we wake up; we come observe the chicks, how they are doing & how they are reacting. Observation is one of the most important thing in raising chicks”, says Lisias.

Afterwards, they then feed the chicks. A proper diet or nutrition is very critical for the chick and clean water is essential. They then check on the data or checklist for clients that have put in orders, plan out the shipment route and finally send off the chicks.

As they are dealing with small chicks, the chick coop is cleaned after every 3rd day.

Hygiene is highly number one (1) priority, when hygiene is well practiced, diseases will be kept at bay.

FROM 100 CHICKS TO A 1000 CHICKS PER WEEK According to Lisias; initially when they started off, they were only producing 100 chicks per week.

Today, that number has changed as they are producing 1000 chicks per week. In the nearby future, their aim is to expand so that they can start producing ± 10 000 chicks per week.

“At Chimati poultry, we try to cater for every one out there. For instance, some people just call & they are interested in having three (3) or five (5) chicks. To cater for them, we have

Their incubation machines can takes up to 4000 eggs 08

to make provision so that they can have that chance & feeling of raising chickens in their backyard or farm “, says Lisias.

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE POULTRY INDUSTRY Lisias believes that the future of the poultry industry is brighter and looks very promising. He encourages those that would want to venture into farming, let they have faith, hope and consistency. He also encouraged farmers that are already involved in the profession to keep their excitement and enthusiasm, which they initially started with from the beginning. Lisias believes that, the moment one loses hope and excitement, they will start draining their energy out.

Finally, Lisias advised the youth to get involved in farming, because that is the ideal time to get involved; as they are young, they have the energy, time and freedom. “When you start farming while you are old, firstly you do not have the same energy compared to your younger self and time is very much limited. Farming in essence, takes time”, says Lisias. Lisias also encouraged the elderly and parents to support the youth especially when they come up with initiative and ideas on farming. According to him, the reason why youths often fails is because they are not backed up and given the necessary support as they start with their initiative.

Lisias ends by saying, one doesn`t necessarily need to own a farm to run a farm. One needs to own the market.

For top quality and healthy chicks, reach out to Chimati poultry at: +264 817897484 Email: lisiashipala@ gmail.com

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SUCCESSFULLY FARMING WITH SHEEP, IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF NAMIBIA.

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he geographic features and seasons, plays a critical role with the type of farming activities that we endeavour.

Donaven Losper farms on the Nukois farm, in the Karasburg district. The farm is located ± 160 km Southeast of Keetmanshoop and ± 90 Km north of Karasburg on the eastern edge of the great Karas Mountains. “I occupied the farm in January 2018 and started a mixed farming of sheep, cattle and goats”, says Donaven.

During that same year (2018), Donaven noticed that the farm was not very suitable for cattle farming. “I then got rid of the cattle and enlarged the sheep farm. At this point, I was already working on the Meatmaster sheep breed”, explains Donaven.

This breed is bred for its exceptional characteristics, such as high fertility, adaptability and hardiness. Within the first year, the “Meatmaster” convinced for Donaven that they deserve a place on Nukois. With this, Donaven realised that he was on the right track.

In addition to the “Meatmaster”, Donaven is now also practicing goat farming. The reason for this, is because the farm has a

The Meatmaster is progressing very well in extensive farming conditions. good combination of grasses, shrubs, bushes and trees. The “Meatmaster” sheep breed is a breed that has been bred to easily adapt to drought conditions and to be able to continue producing with a minimum of additional supplementation in drought conditions and therefore fertility and hardiness are also continually selected. Further in the development of the breed, efforts were made to develop a carcass that is acceptable to both our formal and informal markets.

The “Meatmaster is progressing very well in extensive

The Meatmaster are very resistant to diseases. www.namfarmers.com.na

farming conditions. Lambs are born in the field and grow rapidly. The ewes have very good maternal characteristics and therefore protect their lambs very well. Lambs are weaned between 90 days and 110 days. “Following this, I follow a selection program in which the first selection of ewe lambs are marketed together with ram lambs”, says Donaven.

The “Meatmaster” are very resistant to diseases and therefore two vaccinations and two doses per year are sufficient. The vaccination should be given before the rainy season, however a vaccination against blood kidney is important. On the farm, there are poisonous plants such as the wild onion, snakes` head and other wild bushes. To prevent possible poisoning, Donaven often gives an application of “Hypo” in the drinking water of the sheep and if some cases of poisoning occur, the sheep’s are treated with charcoal.

To further enrich his knowledge of the “Meatmaster” sheep, Donaven attended a course in Stampriet, in 2019. “Particular emphasis was placed on the breed standards and selection criteria was laid down by the Meatmaster 09

breeders` association in South Africa”, says Donaven.

According to Donaven, rainfall remains one of the biggest factors to consider when planning on the farm. Farming in the South can be very harsh, but yet under these volatile conditions, the Meatmaster performs excellent. The water distribution network on Nukois is very well developed, an advantage to Donaven that enables him to make full use of the whole farm. Boreholes

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are very strong and water levels in boreholes are currently between 5 and 10 m from the ground level.

In his closing remarks, Donaven says that; due to the fact that the Meatmaster has repeatedly proven to be the ideal sheep for Namibia. He would recommend any young farmer to start farming with the popular breed. As far as marketing is concerned, unselected ewe lambs and ram lambs are sent to an abattoir in Springbok- SA for

slaughter. Donaven believes that the Meatmaster is the sheep that the market desires as its returns are profitable and it is very adaptable.

Donaven Losper is a mentor and work for the Agribank advisory service division within the //Karas region.

For further information, on the Meatmaster sheep breed; contact: losperdj@gmail.com

www.namfarmers.com.na

FARMING IS ALL ABOUT TEAM WORK. THE VITAL ROLE OF EMPLOYEES ON A FARM.

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here is a famous saying that, behind every successful man is a woman. In farming; behind every successful farming venture, is not only the owner alone who deserves the credit but the team behind him/her. Without a strong team or task force on the farm, the entire activities will come to a halt.

Speaking to Fillemon, a farmer who farms with cattle and goat within Otjozondjupa region, he shared with the Namfarmers team of the vital role that employees have on the farm.

believes that all employees` feedback and recommendations should be highly considered and reviewed. According to him, this is where communication kicks in. One only gets to receive the feedback and recommendation from your staff members, once you regularly communicate with them. Hence, the culture of openly communicating with your team should be highly developed.

with a tendency of working alone are pruned and trained so that they can learn to work and interact with others.

Fillemon also emphasised that, employees have to fully understand their scope of work. “If your employees do not know their work, then nothing will get done”, says Fillemon.

CULTURE OF RESPECT “Respect starts with one self, if you respect yourself you will also be able to respect others”, says Fillemon. Fillemon values respect and he treats all his staff members with respect. Apart from that, he ensures that the welfare and well-being of his staffs is number one. “When the welfare and wellbeing of your employees is at its best, employees tend to be more productive”, says Fillemon.

Fillemon encouraged his fellow farmers to always look after their staff members and to respect them. His philosophy is that, when employees are at their best, they will produce overall best results on the farm.

IT`S ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK “Whenever we get a new staff on our farm, the first thing that we do is to take them through their role THE ROLE OF EMPLOYEE EXTEND & duty on the farm. Afterwards, BEYOND THEIR TASK & DUTIES. we then take them through some At the farm, the role of employees protocols and rules that needs to be goes beyond the normal duties and adhered and we give them a warm task assigned to them. Employees welcome”, says Fillemon. According plays an integral role, when it to him, the warm welcome is to comes to recommending and giving make the new staff to get the feedback on processes, systems and feeling of belonging. how operations are carried out.

“Because of their

According to Fillemon, you background and life experiences, have to listen to your employees` no two staff members are the feedback and recommendation, as same. Hence, their approach they have full knowledge of what towards working is also different”, is happening on ground level. By says Fillemon. For some other listening to the employees and reasons, some staff, members often working together with them, you have a tendency of doing things are able to come up with very on their own and in in their own For more information, reach out to innovative solutions to the problems way. However; when working on a AkaFille farm at: and challenges that you faces farm, it is critical to work in a team shipenaedison@gmail.com on the farm. Therefore, Fillemon setting with others. Employees www.namfarmers.com.na

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FARMERS’ COOPERATION HIGHLY REQUIRED AS THE FIGHT TO CONTAIN FMD OUTBREAK CONTINUE.

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arlier in February; the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein paid a courtesy visit to farmers within the northern region. This was done to access the situation and condition of how farmers were coping with the www.namfarmers.com.na

outbreak of foot and mouth disease in these regions.

Accompanied by a delegation from the veterinary department, Schlettwein expressed sympathy with the affected farmers, and further urged them and the

regional government to ensure that regulations to contain the FMD were adhered to by all.

“We need to be strict and firm and ensure that regulations are adhered to. We have officials and police officers manning roadblocks 13

which are there to restrict movement of animals during this period. Further infection is risky for farmers and the economy, so we appeal for your cooperation to get the vaccination done efficiently”, said Schlettwein.

The outbreak of the FMD disease started in the two Kavango regions. The northern regions were later affected, as some farmers were smuggling cattle into the region from affected areas. Schlettwein revealed that the ministry intends to vaccinate about 800 000 head of cattle in the Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kunene, Kavango West, Kavango East and Zambezi regions.

To ensure that this number of cattle are vaccinated, the ministry intends to purchase about 1.7 million vaccine doses from neighbouring Botswana.

Each vaccine dose is said to cost about N$ 40.00.

Schlettwein also revealed that, the cost of containing the disease is quite high because of the officials working in the field and the vehicles running up and down. All this, involves payments. According to the minister, the FMD is not so fatal and animals do not die out easily, however if it is not well contained, it may spread further and have severe effects on farmers and retailers.

The minister encouraged farmers to improve their farming practices to ensure that their cattle are free from disease. The disease have a direct impact on retailers, vendors and the markets.

The ministry has however lifted the restrictions on the movement of goats and sheep as they do not pose any risk of spreading FMD.

Schlettwein urged farmers to take all their cattle for vaccinations, while also warning farmers with cattle posts in Angola to avoid moving cattle until the situation has returned to normal.

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SKAAPBOERDERY IN DIE SUIDE VAN NAMIBIË 14

ie geografiese kenmerke en seisoene speel ‘n kritieke rol in die tipe boerdery wat ons beywer. Donaven Losper boer op die plaas, Nukois in die Karasburg-distrik.

Die plaas is geleë ±160km suidoos van Keetmanshoop en ±90km Noord van Karasburg op die oostelike rant van die Groot Karasberge. “Ek het in Januarie 2018 die plaas okkupeer en met ‘n gemengde boerdery van skaap, bees en bokke begin,”sê Donaven.

Gedurende dieselfde jaar (2018) het Donaven opgemerk dat die plaas nie baie geskik is vir beesboerdery nie. “Ek het toe van die bees ontslae geraak en die skaapboerdery vergroot. Op hierdie stadium was ek reeds besig met die “Meatmaster” skaapras,”sê Donaven . Hierdie ras word geteel vir sy uitsonderlike eienskappe, nl.

Hoë vrugbaarheid, aanpasbaarheid en gehardheid.Binne die eerste jaar oortuig die “Meatmaster” vir Donaven www.namfarmers.com.na

dat hulle ‘n plek op Nukois verdien.

Hiermee besef Donaven dat hy op die regte pad is.

Benewens die “Meatmasters” beoefen Donaven nou ook bokboerdery. Die rede hiervoor is omdat die plaas beskik oor ‘n Goeie kombinasie van grasse, struike, bosse en bome. Die “meatmaster” skaapras is ‘n ras wat geteel is om maklik by droogtetoestande aan te pas en met minimum addisionele byvoeding in droogtetoestande te kan bly produseer en daarom word daar ook deurlopend geselekteer vir vrugbaarheid en gehardheid. Verder in die ontwikkeling van die ras was daar gestrewe om ‘n karkas te ontwikkel wat aanvaarbaar is vir beide ons formele en informele markte.

Die meatmaster vorder baie goed in ekstensiewe boedery omstandighede.Lammers word in die veld gebore en groei vinnig.

Die ooie beskik oor baie goeie moedereienskappe en beskerm dus hul lammers baie goed. Lammers word tussen 90 dae en 110 dae gespeen.

“Hierna, volg ek ‘n seleksie program

waarby eerste seleksie ooilammers gehou word vir teel en die res saam met ramlammers bemark word”, sê Donaven.

Die meatmasters is baie bestand teen siektes en daarom is twee inentings en twee doserings per jaar voldoende. Voor die reën seisoen is ‘n inenting teen Bloednier egter belangrik. Om moontlike vergiftiging te voorkom gee ek ‘n toediening van “Hypo” in die drinkwater en indien enkele gevalle van vergiftiging voorkom word hulle met charcoal behandel.

Om sy kennis van die vleismeester-skaap verder te verryk, het Donaven in 2019 ‘n kursus in Stampriet bygewoon. “Daar was veral klem gelê op die rasstandaarde en seleksiekriterea wat neergelê is deur die meatmaster telersgenootskap in Suid-Afrika”, vertel Donaven.

Verder steek ek ook kers aan by ons vooruitstrewende Meatmaster telers in Namibia.

Volgens Donaven, bly reënval een van die grootste faktore wat in ag geneem moet word wanneer

daar op die plaas beplan word. Die boerdery in die Suide kan baie hard wees, maar onder hierdie wisselvallige omstandighede is die vleismeester uitstekend.

Die waterverspreidingsnetwerk op Nukois is baie goed ontwikkel, ‘n voordeel vir Donaven wat hom in staat stel om die hele boerdery ten volle te benut. Boorgate is baie sterk en watervlakke in boorgate staan tans tussen 5 en 10m vanaf die grondvlak.

“Weens die feit dat die “meatmaster” hom herhaaldelik bewys het as die ideale skaap vir Namibia, sal ek enige jong boer aanbeveel om met die gewilde ras te begin boer”, beklemtoon Donaven. Wat die bemarking betref word ongeselekteerde ooilammers en ramlammers na ‘n slagpale in Springbok – SA gestuur vir verslagting.

Volgens Donaven is die vleismeester die skaap wat die mark wil hê, want dit is winsgewend en dit is baie aanpasbaar.

Vir meer inligting oor die vleismeesterskaapbree, kontak: losperdj@gmail. com

WHY PHASE NUTRITION IN BREEDING CHICKENS?

By Carlien Dames - Monogastric Nutritionist

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ver the years, the cost of raising a broiler to slaughter readiness has become more expensive. The increase in cost can be attributed to many factors, including more expensive feed costs (increase in the cost of raw materials), power and water as well as medication costs and others. As a result of this increase, the importance of raising chicks as effectively as possible www.namfarmers.com.na

to ensure the lowest input costs has increased. Feed is the largest cost of the total input cost to grow broilers, hence the pressure to feed as effectively as possible to ensure healthy, optimal growth. From the latter comes the whole idea of ​​phase nutrition.

WHAT IS PHASE NUTRITION? Phase feeding is the feeding of

different feeds, with different nutrient values, during the different growth ages of the chick. The older the chick gets, the slower the relative growth rate. This means that the relative amount of nutrients needed decreases as age increases. When only one type of feed is fed through the chick’s total life, only the average nutrient needs of the chick will be met and not the specific nutrient 15

need. The chick will therefore grow but not at maximum genetic potential. When phase feeding is followed, the chick obtains exactly its nutrient needs during each phase and the chick will be able to reach maximum genetic growth potential.

The over-nutrition or malnutrition of nutrients is also avoided.

Phase feeding usually ranges from 3 to 5 phases. The more phases the better its management should be, as it indicates a specific day on which the chick should move to the next phase. The standard phase nutrition program consists of 3 phases; Starting Crumbs, Growing Pellets and Rounding Pellets.

Initial crumbs are usually fed from day-old to about day 13. The shape of the feed is finer than that of the growth - and rounded grains. The reason for this is that the chick is still very small and will not necessarily be able to pick up large particles effectively. The first two weeks of the chick’s life are the period when the fastest skeletal, muscular and immune system development takes place. For this reason, the initial crumbs are the nutrient densest feed of all the phases. Among other things, it has a higher protein and mineral value than the other phases.

The growth pellets are usually fed from day 14 to a minimum of 3 days before slaughter. This feed is less nutrient dense, but does provide all the necessary nutrients for further effective growth. Mineral percentages are also lower than in the initial crumbs, as oversupply of minerals can sometimes be detrimental to the chick, and also

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then naturally carry unnecessary extra costs if it were still added to the feed.

The rounded grains are fed to the chick for the last 3-5 days. It is the least nutrient dense of all the phases.

The main reason for feeding this phase, is to provide for any medicinal products to be extracted from the feed, and from the chick before slaughter. The medicinal product as mentioned is for example the coccidiostat. A coccidiostat prevents coccidiosis in growing chicks.

Coccidiosis is an infected intestinal condition of the chicks, caused by protozoa (single parasites). It is the disease that is most commonly reported in chicken houses around the world. Symptoms of this disease

may include bloody dung, high mortality and a decrease in feed intake. Intestinal damage can lead to other bacterial diseases to take hold in the chick and cause various aggravating health conditions.

It is therefore of great

importance to prevent this disease from preventing large financial losses.

Along with the phase feeding, feeding programs are also provided

by Feedmaster which indicate exactly how the phase feeding should be used to ensure successful growth of your chicks. However, when you follow your own program and do not follow the pre-set prescriptions as provided, unsuccessful growth cannot necessarily be attributed to the feed supplier.

An indication of how the need for lysine (a building block of protein) and calcium decreases as the chick gets older.

For further inquiries, contact Feedmaster: 061 290 1300

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THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR NEEDS SOME TIME, TO REBUILD HERDS

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fter extensive and harsh periods of drought that the country have been experiencing over the past years, this have significantly reduced the population of livestock within the country. In 2020, farmers across the country were requesting the government to assist them with a serious program of re-stocking. This was after, most of their livestock perished in the 2019 drought.

The total number of livestock within the country has drastically dropped due to the drought over the past few years, and there are even further threats with the ongoing FMD outbreak.

Head of Marketing and Sales at Meatco, Andre Mouton, estimated that there would be very few slaughter cattle available this year (2021). Mouton said that after seven years of drought, farmers have barely managed to keep their cows 18

alive. Mouton further highlighted that Namibia`s shortage of slaughter cattle is a problem only to be solved with a long-term vision.

Mouton shared this with the Namibia Agricultural Union in his outlook for the meat industry for 2021.

With few cattle being available, Meatco would have to juggle about which market to supply and worse, export market might be forfeited to ensure local supply.

“The priority in this battle is the local market, so very few cattle will be available for export”, said Mouton.

According to Mouton, the main challenge for Meatco in 2021 is meeting Norway`s quota for the year.

The requirement is between 20 000 and 22 000 head of cattle “if only high-value cuts are to be exported”, he said. However the scary part is that, Mouton revealed that at this stage, it appears that the

country does not have more than 30 000 slaughter cattle available.

With less cattle being available in the country, Meatco would be left with no option but to obtain cattle from neighbouring country such as Botswana. So far this year, about 900 herds of cattle were imported from the neighbouring country.

He said that the alternative plan is to market cattle from the north through a quarantine system in the South, or to put them on the world market. Meatco hopes to launch this initiative this year, which would make extra meat available for the local market.

Mouton said that the industry is still recovering from the drought.

“If they manage the problem and the industry comes together to speed up and improve the process, Meatco feels it may take five years”, he said. www.namfarmers.com.na

Top performer learner gives his view, towards the involvement of youth in agriculture

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s in February this year, the results of grade 12 learners were released. The results ranged from learners who performed badly, to good and to others who performed very well. Among the multitudes of learners throughout the country, there was some that performed exceptionally very well.

Namfarmers team caught up with one of the learner who performed exceptionally very well to give his view on agriculture. Simon Fernando Dala Francisco matriculated at Jakob Marengo Secondary School and he was the second best grade 12 learner in the country (NSSCO Ordinary level, Science Fields). He obtained an A* in agriculture.

Simon who have a strong love towards agriculture is planning to further his studies with the Namibian University of Science & Technology (NUST) and he have already enrolled & registered for Bachelor of Engineering: Electronics and Telecommunications. “I won`t be directly involved in agriculture, however through the course that I will be studying, I can still positively contribute towards the Agri-sector in the future. As through this course, I can come up with innovative technological solutions that can alter the agricultural industry”, says Simon.

Simon believes that, the reason why most young people are not yet involved in agriculture is because of the concept they have towards it.

According to him, most young people still hold the view that agriculture is a dirty profession of those that are uneducated.

“For more young people to get involved Simon believes that, the reason why most in agriculture, we need young people are not yet involved in to change the concept agriculture is because of the concept they around agriculture”, have towards it. emphasis Simon.

He further change the way we think & the way says that if we change the concept we act”, says Simon. around it and make it more fun

and desirable, then surely younger people will get involved. Simon also applauded schools that have “school Simon advised his fellow learners gardens”, as they enable learners to who didn`t made it, to rise up and gain first practical basic application try again. The top performer learner of agriculture especially in the area also gave out an open invitation to of crops. sponsors and good Samaritans out

According to Simon, the there, to help him further fund for secret to his top performing results his studies. He can be reached at: is highly attributed to the type of simonfrancisco@outlook.com or mindset he have and his outward +264813898687. look towards life. “We need to change our mindset because true change begin within us. We need to

MONTHLY TIP: NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF THE CHICKS WHILE THEY ARE IN THEIR INITIAL STAGE The first two weeks of the chick`s life are the period when the fastest skeletal, muscular and immune system development takes place. Hence, the nutritional value of the chicks at this stage, should be of higher protein and mineral value compared to other phases.

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