Heavy smallstock losses in Namibia due to adverse weather

Sheep and goat farmers in the southern part of Namibia suffered livestock losses amounting to more than R4 million following rain, cold and strong wind during the last week of October.

According to Ernst Erni, who farms near Maltahöhe, the sporadic rain coupled with strong wind and cold caused serious damage in, among others, Solitaire and Rietoog. Rivers were flooded, resulting in animals being swept away by the strong currents. More than 4 000 animals reportedly succumbed to the adverse conditions.

Serious damage was also reported in Aub, Helmeringhausen, Kalkrand and Rehoboth. Erni said the fact that the livestock were not in optimum condition after the winter made them more susceptible to these weather conditions. Lambing ewes and newborn lambs were particularly affected. “The energy levels of the surviving animals need to be increased rapidly by sufficient feed. The [Namibian] government did compile a report on the extent of the damage, but state support for the affected farmers is highly unlikely.”

The good rain nevertheless meant that green grass would soon be available in southern Namibia. Erni added that “there is no better medicine for weak sheep and goats than green grazing”. A disaster relief fund has been established by farmers in the Rehoboth district, in partnership with Namboer auctioneers, Frans Fischer, Enrico Jumius, Republikein newspaper and Nasria, a state-owned insurance company. Fischer, the representative of a Rehoboth farmers’ group, said all the funds donated would be used to buy feed for the sheep and goats of the affected farmers. “It is our duty is to assist our [fellow] farmers. One of the farmers, for instance, is left with 108 three-month-old lambs that must be hand-reared. This is very expensive and without support it is unlikely that he would succeed in doing so,” he said. – Annelie Coleman •Do nations can be made to Na mi biëBoe reskenkerfonds, Bank Windhoek, branch code: 483 872, account number: 8004586880.