April 2019
NWKV Nuusbrief 72 / NWGA Newsletter 72

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HUIDIGE SITUASIE VIR BEK-EN-KLOUSEER
 
i) Boodskap aan produsente
Voor die onderstaande mediavrystelling deur DAFF en na aanleiding van inligting deur Cape Wools SA (CWSA) rakende die bek-en-klouseersituasie in Suid-Afrika, het die nasionale voorsitter, Guillau du Toit, die volgende boodskap aan produsente oorgedra:
  • Produsente moet daarop let dat die afhandeling van die proses om die bek-en-klouseersituasie tot normaal terug te bring, tyd gaan neem weens onderhandelinge tussen die regerings van Suid-Afrika en China.
  • Indien moontlik, moet produsente poog om die wol so lank moontlik op die rug van die skaap te hou, indien vetwol korter as 65 mm geskeer word.
  • Dit is veral kortwol wat onder prysdruk verkeer.
  • Bespreek die opsies met jou makelaar.
 
ii) Extract from March disease report
According to the March disease report as released by the Ruminant Veterinary Association of SA (RuVASA), the most important news regarding the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) spill-over in the Vembe district of the Limpopo province is the following:

There have been no new cases of FMD detected in the disease-management area declared in Limpopo in the past ten weeks and hence three incubation periods have lapsed. Intensive surveillance demonstrated that the virus has not spread and that the outbreak has been contained.
 
iii) Joint media statement by DAFF and the livestock industry
On 18 April, it has been 14 weeks since the first case of the FMD outbreak in the high-surveillance area of South Africa’s FMD-free zone was detected. South Africa lost itsFMD-free status, as recognised by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on 7 January 2019.
 
Status of the outbreak
There have been no new cases of FMD detected in the disease-management area declared in Limpopo in the past ten weeks and hence, three incubation periods have lapsed. Intensive surveillance demonstrated that the virus has not spread and that the outbreak has been contained.
 
Foot-and-mouth disease-free zone status
Strict movement controls remain in place in the disease-management area and everyone is encouraged to adhere to these regulations even though roadblocks will most likely be discontinued by the end of April 2019.
 
No animals may move into, out of, through or inside the disease-management area without state veterinary approval. No unprocessed animal products of cloven-hooved animals are allowed out of the disease-management area without the necessary state veterinary permits. These movement controls will remain in place for the next few months, until the outbreak can be fully resolved. A full animal identification and traceability system is being put in place for all vaccinated animals in the previously free-zone part of the disease-management area.
 
The submission to the OIE Technical Committee for a containment zone is being prepared. Although there are challenges beyond our control, we plan to still submit, albeit later than anticipated.
 
Opening countries for export
Trade has resumed for commodities considered safe by the OIE. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has successfully negotiated the revision of veterinary health certificates for beef. Countries involved are Bahrain, Lesotho, Mozambique, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Swaziland, Seychelles, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. This includes certificates for game exported to Namibia (venison produced before 5 December 2019).
 
Trade in pork from FMD-free pig compartments has been reopened to Lesotho, Seychelles, Mozambique, Swaziland – and partially to Namibia.
 
The markets for dairy products have largely been restored, while the market for the export of wool to Egypt has been opened. The trade task team is working hard to open trade channels for the commodities that are still not trading freely, which include wool, mohair, and hides (for leather production).
 
Negotiations still underway include Namibia (for beef), Botswana (for pork), Egypt (for hides and skin) and Malaysia (for hides, skin and wool).
 
The department thanks all farmers, industries, other government institutions and colleagues that are working with Veterinary Services to resolve the current situation. More funding is required for this and to implement a more sustainable FMD control strategy.
 
OVERBERG BOERE LEER VAN KUNDIGES

Wes-Kaap NWKV en die plaaslike regering het ʼn suksesvolle Skaap- en Woldag gehou op die Tygerhoek Proefplaas, Riviersonderend.
 
Die ongeveer 70 boere vanuit die Overberg/Suid-Kaap-omgewing het hul verlustig aan die oggendprogram wat ʼn reeks interessante sprekers van NWKV opgelewer het. Izak Klopper het die belangrikheid van die handhawing van skeerstandaarde beklemtoon enJan Louis Venter het lig gewerp op die “Reasonable Wool Standard” (RWS) Oudit. Nico Uys, RPO-verteenwoordiger, het vleiskwaliteite bespreek en raad gegee oor hoe om beter vleispryse te behaal. Alombekende kundige André Fourie van Bredasdorp het boere ingelig oor moontlikhede om suksesvol met meer skape op minder grond te boer. Dr. Chris de Brouwer van Elsenburg het uitgebrei oor die skaapproewe wat tans op Tygerhoek uitgevoer word.
 
Dit was voorwaar ʼn stampvol dag met baie nuwe inligting en tegnologie wat oordink, probeer en getoets moet word.

 
MPUMALANGA SKEERKAMPIOENSKAPPE LEWER TOPGEHALTE SKEERDERS

Mpumalanga voorsitter Japie Celliers Jr. van die plaas Roodewal in die Ermelo-omgewing was gasheer vir ʼn baie geslaagde skeerkampioenskap, met nagenoeg 60 deelnemers in wolhantering en masjienskeer. Japie Jr. en sy pa, Japie Sr., boer sedert 1990 in ʼnvennootskap op Roodewal.

In die wolhanteringskomponent van die kompetisie het die beginnerkategorie vierdeelnemers en die opekategorie 11 deelnemers opgelewer. Die drie verskillende masjienskeerkategorieë het groot byval gevind en die opekategorie se wenner Nkosifikile Bonelo het ook die beste punte in kwaliteitskeer behaal. Die naaswenner was Sebongile Mezeile met Nkosenathe Joseph Faltene in die derde plek en Botoabolo Tomoso in die vierde plek. Hulle het uitgestaan tussen die 26 skeerders wat deelgeneem het.
 
Van die agt skeerders wat in die Junior afdeling deelgeneem het, het Cloete Oosthuizen uitgestyg as wenner en die beste kwaliteitskeerder terwyl Makotoko Qobotoane die tweede plek, Welesele die derde plek en Wzweli Iliwe die vierde plek behaal het.
 
Huidige Suid-Afrikaanse kampioen Zandisile Fickson was die enigste deelnemer in die handskeerafdeling en het twee skape vir demonstrasie geskeer.
 
Die plaaslike boere is bedank vir hul teenwoordigheid en beoordeling en dit was lekker om ouer boere soos Japie Sr. en Juba Celliers daar te kon hê om ʼn wakende oog oor die dag se aktiwiteite te hou.
 
Die reëling van so ʼn dag is nie moontlik sonder die betrokkenheid van borge soos BKB en Molatek nie. Groot waardering is verder uitgespreek vir die borgskap van Hinterveld, en aan Tabitha van der Westhuizen en Jacques van den Berg wat die maatskappy verteenwoordig en pryse uitgedeel het.

 
BOER HET NOU TOEGANG TOT SY HISTORIESE SKEERSELDATA
 
Cape Wools SA (CWSA) het ’n splinternuwe aanlyn analitiese instrument vrygestel wat wolprodusente sal help om hul wolleweringsprestasie in verhouding tot die mark te meet. Hierdie instrument sal hulle in staat stel om hul wolleweringsgeskiedenis oor tyd te evalueer.

Die instrument is gratis aanlyn beskikbaar op die Cape Wools SA webtuiste http://www.capewools.co.za/ onder die skakel "Analytics".
 
Cape Wools SA (CWSA) launched an online analytical tool to assist wool producers to analyse their wool clip performance relative to the market. This web-based tool also enables wool producers to analyse their clip profile over time.

The analytical tool is available free of charge on the Cape Wools website http://www.capewools.co.za/ at tab 'Analytics' or click on: Analytics.

 
RHODES UNIVERSITY INVESTS IN TRAINING OF COMMUNAL FARMERS

Almost 40 communal wool sheep farmers benefited from a three-day training course, presented by the National Woolgrowers’ Association (NWGA) and hosted by Rhodes University. Members from the Masibambisane Project in Boomplaas Village, Macubeni in die Lady Frere district were given visual presentations and practical demonstrations on five short courses. This covered sheep handling and selection, basic sheep breeding, animal nutrition, animal health and shearing-sheep management.
 
Rhodes University representatives Mr Charles Chakuma, who is currently doing his PhD and Miss Sisipho Myoyo were impressed with the teaching material as well as the practical demonstration conducted by NWGA production advisors Zithulele Mbatsha and Sibusiso Ndwanya. The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) was also represented and Nceba Ndlondlo, who manages the land-use management section (Chris Hani District Municipality) expressed satisfaction with the training that the farmers received.
 
Training in the communal areas forms a huge part in Production Advisory Services, performed by the NWGA. From the 2017/18 annual report, it was shown that 3 256 farmers completed 112 courses. The NWGA developed four wool-sheep training courses and provided the production advisors with the necessary material.

 
FLOCK COMPETITION TO IMPROVE COMMUNAL FLOCKS

Mount Fletcher district in rural Eastern Cape played host to the annual flock competition with farmers coming from as far as Mount Ayliff to enter their animals. Farmers from the surrounding areas of Maclear and Maluti were excited to present their lambs, ewes, two-tooth ewes and rams.
 
The Ram category drew the most entries, with 93 rams presented to the judges and the Lamb category followed suit with 76. The four categories (Lambs, Ewes, Two-tooth ewes, and Rams) called for the 10 best animals, whereafter the final three were chosen to represent their region in the interregional competition in July.
 
The Utloanang project in Mount Fletcher featured extensively in the Lambs, Two-tooth ewes and Ewes categories with Mr Duba from Maluti B in Matatiele showcasing the best ewes and rams by winning those categories and being placed second in the Two-tooth ewes category.
 
The following farmers were presented with monetary awards and animal health products:
 
Lambs
Winner: Mr Thyaliti (Luzie)
Second and third place: Utloanang project (Mount Fletcher)
 
Two-tooth ewes
Winner and third place: Utloanang project (Mount Fletcher)
Second place: Mr Duba (Maluti B – Matatiele)
 
Ewes
Winner and second place: Mr Duba (Maluti B – Matatiele)
Third place: Utloanang project (Mount Fletcher)
 
Rams
Winner: Mr Duba (Maluti B – Matatiele)
Second place: Mr Tsoananyana (Mount Fletcher)
Third place: Mr Simaru (Maclear)

 
INTERNSHIP BENEFITS BOTH NWGA AND CANDIDATE

Andile Galawe (29 years old) was granted a one-year internship by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to learn more about the woolled sheep industry. He started his first working experience on 1 February 2019 and is being mentored by NWGA Training and Development Manager, Zithulele Mbatsha, and stationed at the King Williams Town office.
 
Born and raised in Ntabethema in Queenstown, Andile’s love for agriculture started at an early age when he had to look after his father’s flock. He matriculated at the Ikhwezi Senior Secondary School in 2013 and then furthered his studies at Grootfontein Agricultural College, where he graduated in 2018. He obtained his Wool Classers’ Diploma in 2017 in acknowledgement of his Springbokhead qualification.
 
During his internship, he will be involved in all aspects of sheep farming, and will gain practical experience in the physical handling of sheep, tattooing and a wide spectrum of training, including shearing, wool sorting, breeding, genetic improvement, etc. Administrative duties include a wide spectrum of activities, including the arrangement of information days, regional congresses, involvement in meetings, taking minutes, etc.
 
The NWGA welcomes Andile to the circle of woolgrowers and personnel and we trust that he will develop his skills and build relationships that will last a lifetime.

 
WHEN BUYING SHEEP, THIS VENDOR DECLARATION CAN HELP YOU TO MINIMISE RISK!

 
 

 
KEY MESSAGE FROM RUVASA MARCH DISEASE REPORT
 
  1. Foot-and-mouth overspill in Limpopo – lost our FMD-free status. Working full out to regain it. Do your part to comply with movement control.
     
  2. Test and vaccinate animals for Bovine brucellosis.
     
  3. Late rains have fallen in many areas – increase in internal parasites, ticks and insects.
     
  4. Increase in African and Asiatic redwater, heartwater, anaplasmosis, blue tongue, lumpy skin disease, ephemeral fever.
     
  5. Be prepared for Rift Valley Fever outbreak.
     
  6. Huge African horse sickness outbreak.
     
  7. Be prepared for winter – avoid lack of roughage – read article by Prof. H.O. de Waal.
     
  8. Update vaccination programmes – consult your veterinarian.

 
MERINO WOOL REMAINS BEST PERFORMER

From the Cape Wools SA (CWSA) Monthly Market Overview, wool prices declined during March and Cape Wool’s Merino Indicator closed 2,4% down on the first sale of the month at R216,42/kg (clean).

While prices are lower than at the start of the season, prices are still on high levels, with Merino wool outperforming other types of wool at auction.

According to CWSA’s accumulative figures for the period 1 July 2018 to 22 March this year, the average clean price for Merino wool came to R210,65/kg compared to R132,37/kg for other types of wool – 59% higher.

The average greasy price for Merino wool for the same period was R192,31/kg compared to R116,04/kg for other wool.
In Australia prices are also down due to the declining quality of the clip because of the drought.

Wool receipts at brokers’ stores up until 25 March totalled just below 38 million kg, which is 12,4% down on the corresponding period last season. This could result in production falling to a level close to the previous lowest level of 42,9 million kg recorded in 2001/02. Australia’s production is forecast to fall to its lowest level in 90 years in 2018/19, as a result of the devastating drought.  

 
AFFORDABLE CATASTROPHE INSURANCE

The NWGA has negotiated catastrophe insurance cover for wool sheep farmers in collaboration with Hollard. NWGA members are able to access this specialist insurance product at a more affordable rate than non-members. Catastrophe cover would apply in incidents of fire, lightning, storm, water, hail and snow. All shearable sheep that can be shorn must be insured and cover is renewed annually.

Producers who are clients of BKB and CMW will find the names of registered financial advisers as who will assist them with the marketing and selling of insurance, on the website www.nwga.co.za. Other registered brokers are also listed for wool farmers who are clients of other brokers.
Copyright © 2019 Agri Connect, All rights reserved.


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