By: Kelvin Chiringa
Meatco has committed to keep slaughter prices stable for beef midst a crippling drought that is already affecting the quality of livestock, as cattle begin to deteriorate.
A recent management meeting of the Livestock Producers Organization (LPO) was dominated by discussions regarding the critical condition in which many livestock producers are currently finding themselves due to the ongoing drought.
According to regional representatives reporting, there are few parts in the country that have received good rain and whose pasture conditions are sufficient to carry livestock through the winter.
The Namibian Agriculture Union has expressed that in all regions most producers are busy with emergency marketing as auctions are under pressure and feedlots and slaughter allocations are fully booked.
The management invited Meatco representatives to attend the meeting so that they can ascertain how this abattoir can assist producers in the drought.
NAU said as of this month, Meatco makes provision to slaughter at maximum level.
“The abattoir is fully booked and there is a waiting list. They are investigating to possibly also slaughter on the remaining Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate the additional animals. There is a concern about the quality of the animals that are deteriorating now.”
“Meatco requests producers to have all documentation in place so that animals can be slaughtered as quickly as possible and there are no delays. They have also committed to keeping the price as stable as far as possible,” said the union.
In the meantime, NAU said the member meeting of the Agronomic Producers Association (APA) as well as the master agronomist day will take place on 17 April 2019 at the Schützenverein (Shooting Club) outside Tsumeb.
NAU remarked that the day will mainly deal with more effective management of crops, with the emphasis on maize farming.
Said the union, “Speakers are Jaun van Loggerenberg from GeoSpace, Erwin Schimper from Aqualand and as well as Willem Smit from Netafim on effective water consumption. As usual, the day is concluded with a farm visit at Ludwigshaven of Mr Hansie van der Merwe, the master agronomist of 2019. There will be a braai the evening at the Schützenverein.”
This month, the Poultry Producers ‘Association (PPA) is also bracing to holds its members’ meeting and an information day at the Hall of the Dutch Reformed Church in Diaz Street Suiderhof on March 20.
“The members meeting starts at 08:30 and the information session will start shortly after 10:00. The main speaker of the day, Dr Frank Travers of AVIMUNE will address poultry diseases, vaccination programs and biosecurity, with special emphasis on bird flu and ILT.”
“Other speakers are Dr. Klingelhoeffer about the importance of vaccination programs as well as a quick overview of NPI on industry support and Feedmaster about their new diagnostic laboratory that opened in April 2018,” NAU said.
