WINDHOEK – Following the good rains this season, the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) has cautioned members and especially charcoal burners against veld fires. Charcoal burners are requested to take the following precautions when starting to burn charcoal, among others:
- all bordering neighbours must be notified 14 days before charcoal burning begins
- a six-metre fire break should be scraped around the camp where the kilns are
- arrange with neighbours that they scrape a fire break along the border fence
- burning in kilns may only be done under supervision of a charcoal burner
- no burning should be done when the wind blows and
- a fire beater should be present when burning is done in the kilns
Farmers are requested to take the following precautions against veld fires:
- scrape fire breaks
- clean under 3-phase electrical power lines
- keep fire fighting material together in one place
- select a water tap point at your own homestead early
- keep you dams full during times of veld fire danger
- keep simple maps of the farm available where all camps, water points and gates are indicated which can be given to fire fighters
- ensure that enough oil is in the pump appliances
A complete set of rules for charcoal burners as well as a fire plan for veld fires is available at the NAU office.
D-Day for Swakara reception!
Participants have only today to register the Swakara reception which takeing place on April 23 in Keetmanshoop at the Canyon Hotel.
Those interested can kindly confirm their attendance with Twaku Kayofa today, April 15 via Email twakuk@agra.com.na or by Tel 061 – 290 9364.
Agra ProVision will host an evening reception to provide feedback to industry stakeholders on the April Swakara auction.
At the event, Swakara industry experts will share auction results and industry reports; the latest fur market trends and global market acceptance of Swakara.
The evening reception takes place on April 23 at the Canyon Hotel, in Keetmanshoop at five O’clock.
FA and other news
The members’ meeting of the Poultry Producers Association is tomorrow at 08:30 at the NAU board room, 114 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek.
Witvlei FA is holding a general and re-organisation meeting tomorrow at 14:00 at the farmer house at Witvlei. Guest speaker is Johan Engelbrecht from the Meat Board who will talk about Namlits. For further details contact Monica Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.
A Sakata Vegetable Farmers Day is held on April 24 at 08:30 at Farm Windpoort of Hannes Grobbelaar and hosted by Aqualand. Speakers are Erwin Schimper of Aqualand and Christa Maritz and Jan van der Merwe of Sakata. At 08:45 a farm sightseeing will be held. Please register before this Friday with Dirk, Tel 081 2434077, dirk@aqualand.com.na.
Keinab FA is hosting a shooting day on April 26 at 07:00 at the FA hall. There are five categories which can be entered at Competition 1, namely hunting rifle, hand weapon, .22 rifle, airgun and kettie and Competition 2 is clay pigeon shooting. Registration fees for Competition 1 are N$200 and enquiries can be addressed to F Jordaan, Tel 063 683487, frikjordaan@yahoo.com, J van Niekerk, Tel 063 683485, jacovn@afol.com.na of K Visser, Tel 063 683491, sdoorn@afol.com.na.
The Outjo Game Festival and game auction will be held on May 2 & 3 at the Sophienhof Lodge. On May 2 the programme starts at 08:00 and at 19:00 Ray Dylan performs and at 21:00 die Broers. On May 3 the programme starts at 07:00 with a target shooting competition and prizes worth N$7 000 can be won. At 10:00 a rodeo will be held and at 19:00 Theuns Jordaan will perform and at 21:00 again die Broers. Registration for each day will be N$100 per adults and N$50 for children. A weekend ticket, thus for both days, will be N$180 for adults and N$80 for children. For further details contact Fanie Heimstädt, Tel 081 2053909 or Albie van Niekerk, Tel 081 2413710. The game auction is held on May 3 at 14:00 and further details can be obtained from Heidi, Tel 081 1281606 or Beate, Tel 081 1248230.
Kalkplato FA is hosting a Braai Day at Witbooisvlei on May 3. This is a rib and sausage braai competition and the theme is “Braai on Safari”. For further details contact Grete Wiesner, Tel 081 1276103, glh@mweb.com.na.
Dorsland FA is holding a general members’ meeting on May 7 at 15:00 at Saambou. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2116611, franseli@iway.na.
The Limousin Breeders Association of Namibia is hosting a judging course at Hochfeld on June 11 & 12. The course is offered by Messrs Willie Grobler and Barend Dorfling and the costs are N$750 per person. For further details contact Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2116611, franseli@iway.na.