Windhoek
It has been a difficult year for Meatco to produce good quality beef due to the debilitating drought, Thokozile Mdlalose, communication officer of Meatco says.
As Namibia’s biggest slaughtering house and only exporter of beef to the Norwegian market, Meatco has focused on its different marketing initiatives and competitive advantages this year to counter the effects of the drought.
“In terms of Meatco Owned Cattle (MOC), our producers have been under pressure because of limited grazing. There will be fewer animals to slaughter from the field and since available grazing is limited, farmers won’t purchase animals under current conditions.
However, the feedlots are marketing initiatives that can help producers market their animals. Due to the pressure of the drought, Meatco is assisting farmers by accommodating their excess cattle in our feedlot,” Mdlalose says.
Some of the cattle Meatco is currently buying would have been slaughtered next year, but due to the drought, farmers do not have enough feed/grazing and Meatco is helping them by taking excess cattle to its feedlot.
According to Mdlalose, in future – and with the other feedlots currently being built in Gobabis and Kombat – Meatco will take excess cattle should the drought situation continue.
Due to the effects of the drought, some of the cattle received at the moment are in a poor condition, which has also brought about an increase in mortalities.
“Meatco is lucky to have enough feed for the excess animals and will slaughter approximately 32 000 cattle this financial year (February 2015 to January 2016).
“Through the feedlot Meatco has been able to secure good quality beef for the markets to satisfy customer needs. However, farmers must plan ahead and book their excess cattle in advance if the drought continues. Bookings can be done through the Meatco Procurement offices,” Mdlalose said.
Meatco requests that producers ensure their permits comply with all requirements to avoid the disappointment of cattle being returned to the farm. Because cattle are also received from the belt area (two rows of farms along the Veterinary Cordon Fence, Meatco abattoirs are issued Red Cross permits from time to time, as is the case at the moment.
This means that cattle sent back to the farm of origin, are also sent back with a Red Cross permit. Therefore, no animal movement permit will be issued to the specific farm for 21 days.
Please take note of the following:
• Handwritten permits will not be accepted. If a permit cannot be printed, contact your veterinary office or the Meatco office in Okahandja for help.
• No changes may be made on the printed permit.
• Ensure that the farm of origin’s name is printed on the permit correctly and that it corresponds with the information on the compulsory 90/40 day verification that must be handed in when the animals are delivered.
• Make sure the permit is taken out for the right abattoir.
• The permit must be filled in completely and be signed.
• Make sure the truck and trailer registration is filled in correctly on the permit, as well as on the wash certificate.
• Should the transport truck break down and the animals be reloaded: make a note at the bottom of the permit, stating that the animals have been reloaded and
for what reason; and ensure the wash certificate of both the first and second transport truck is sent along with the second vehicle.