NEWSLETTER FROM NAMIBIAN WAGYU SOCIETY
Dear members,
Our next new member, Ino Wagyu – Ferdinand Nghiyolwa was interviewed.
INO WAGYU INTERVIEW:
Q. Ferdinand, where do you farm?
A. I farm in the Outjo District, situated 30 km north of Outjo along the Okaukuejo road. The location is ideal for raising cattle due to its expansive pastures and conducive climate.
Q. Why Wagyu?
A. I chose Wagyu cattle primarily for their commercial potential and compatibility with intensive farming methods, which are my main interests. Additionally, their high-quality meat offers significant market value, aligning with my goals for profitable farming.
Q. What do you use as base cows?
A. Currently I use Bonsmara, Nguni and Brangus as base cows. These breeds have proven to be effective for starting a Wagyu breeding program due to their robustness and quality traits.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. Moving forward, my plan is to expand my herd by adding 100 more Wagyu cattle and eventually progressing to F2. This growth strategy is aimedat enhancing the genetic quality of my herd while increasing production.
Q. Any other comments?
A. I am currently in a learning phase and am excited about the potential improvements and results in the coming 12 months. The journey of developing a successful Wagyu herd is both challenging and rewarding, and I look forward
to the opportunities it presents.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR CALF REGISTRATION:
Thank you, Bianca Nienaber, for sharing your tips, below, with us. To ensure that accurate and thorough firsthand information is captured from the field and registered correctly with the NSBA, we make use of a “tag bucket” system. This literally consists of a bucket with all the necessary tools and documents, which travels with the farmer on his rounds to record new calves.
Inside our tag bucket we have the following:
Calf Information Sheet | Information recorded for each calf: - Date of tagging - Dam’s ID or tag number - Location/Camp of dam and calf - Calf’s estimated date of birth if unknown - Calf’s sex - Calf’s colour - Calf’s appointed Namlits number |
Unistel envelopes | Available from NSBA office. Hair from the calf’s tail (with roots) is taken and placed into a Unistel envelope (write RFID nr on envelope and further information is completed later) |
Pen | |
Namlits RFID tags | |
Tag applicator | |
Castrator rings | For castrating F1/F2/F3 male calves |
Castrator ring applicator |
The Calf Information Sheet is kept in a Calf Register. The information in the Calf Register is then captured on your database.
The calf must be issued with an Animal ID and the birth notification must be submitted either via your database software, NSBA Birth Notification book or by completing NSBA birth notification spreadsheet and submitting to jacque@iway.na no later than 90 days after birth.
Unistel envelopes must be handed in at the NSBA office for submission to Unistel lab for DNA testing.
MEMBER PARTICIPATION:
If there are any members who have anything relevant or newsworthy for our following newsletters, please get in direct contact with me. Let’s share as much information as possible!
With kind regards
Joachim Cranz
NWS PRESIDENT
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