Small-stock scheme hotly debated
The Livestock Producers' Organisation (LPO) last week successfully held its annual congress with a wide range of topics impacting the sector, that were discussed.
The Small-Stock Marketing Scheme (SSMS), which brought the small stock industry to its knees, brought about a heated debate with representatives of the sector who felt that recommendations made the ombudsman, John Walters, should be implemented. The ombudsman's recommendation to the Meat Board was that the scheme should be abolished and that the ratio requirements must be waived for a period of no less than three years in order for the Meat Board to monitor the impact on the restoration and economic recovery of the sheep sector.
Walters, who also visited the congress, could not indicate whether the agriculture ministry had responded to his report.
Meat Board's Goliath Tujendapi spoke about livestock marketing, while acting CEO of Meat board Jannie Breytenbach informed the congress about the company's turnaround strategy and performance.
Dr Johannes Shoopala from the agriculture ministry's veterinary services gave feedback on diseases and Namibia's animal health status.
The Namibian Agricultural Union's (NAU) commodity manager Harald Markgraaff also informed and motivated producers to comply with FANMeat standards, while the newly appointed agricultural economist at the NAU Bertha Ijambo presented the Cost Production Index and indicated that the high weaner prices are currently putting cattle producers in a better position, but that effective farming is still needed to survive.
Wildlife issues were also on the agenda with Dr Pauline Lindeque of Agra Provision who gave an insightful talk about the initiatives launched to realise more value on game meat.
Piet Gouws was been re-elected as the chairman of the LPO.
STAFF REPORTER
The Small-Stock Marketing Scheme (SSMS), which brought the small stock industry to its knees, brought about a heated debate with representatives of the sector who felt that recommendations made the ombudsman, John Walters, should be implemented. The ombudsman's recommendation to the Meat Board was that the scheme should be abolished and that the ratio requirements must be waived for a period of no less than three years in order for the Meat Board to monitor the impact on the restoration and economic recovery of the sheep sector.
Walters, who also visited the congress, could not indicate whether the agriculture ministry had responded to his report.
Meat Board's Goliath Tujendapi spoke about livestock marketing, while acting CEO of Meat board Jannie Breytenbach informed the congress about the company's turnaround strategy and performance.
Dr Johannes Shoopala from the agriculture ministry's veterinary services gave feedback on diseases and Namibia's animal health status.
The Namibian Agricultural Union's (NAU) commodity manager Harald Markgraaff also informed and motivated producers to comply with FANMeat standards, while the newly appointed agricultural economist at the NAU Bertha Ijambo presented the Cost Production Index and indicated that the high weaner prices are currently putting cattle producers in a better position, but that effective farming is still needed to survive.
Wildlife issues were also on the agenda with Dr Pauline Lindeque of Agra Provision who gave an insightful talk about the initiatives launched to realise more value on game meat.
Piet Gouws was been re-elected as the chairman of the LPO.
STAFF REPORTER
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