2015-03-03Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK – An animal livestock census concluded at the end of 2013 showed that the number of all livestock species declined during 2013 from the 2012 figures. The main reason for this was the drought in 2013 which cause many farmers to destock. This trend is set to be continued this year as Namibian livestock producers are faced with another drought while reserve grazing has been depleted in the past two years. The situation caused the Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) to declare a state of emergency two weeks ago. Cattle numbers have been steadily dropping since 2012 from 2.904 million to 2.634 million in 2013, which represents a decrease of nine percent. Sheep numbers dropped from 2.67 million to 2.188 million in the same period, which represents a decrease of 18 percent while poultry numbers showed a decline of 30 percent and dropped from 940 765 to 650 033. These numbers exclude that of Namib Poultry Farm Windhoek. Donkey numbers are also on the decrease and dropped from 174 946 to just 124 120, which represents a decline of 29 percent while pig numbers dropped by three percent from 69 430 to 67 054. Horse numbers came down from 46 643 to 40 265. 2015-03-03Staff Report 2
