Rainy season far from over
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The chances of rain in the western parts of Southern Africa, including Namibia, do not look favourable in the short term, especially in the central to southern parts of the country.
This is according to South African climatologist Johan van den Berg, who says it appears that conditions in the northern and north-eastern regions of Namibia may have improved over the weekend.
In the medium term, approximately around 15 or 16 February, heavy rain is expected in the northeast of the country.
Similarly, the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) says there should be rainfall across the eastern parts of Namibia in the latter part of February.
The weather conditions in the central to southern areas should also improve during the later stages of the month.
High expectations
“With the La Niña phenomenon still very strong, the rain forecast looks very positive in the long run,” according to the union.“It seems like the country will get rain for the rest of February, March, and maybe even April.” La Niña also creates a strong possibility for rain in the arid parts of the southern and southwestern areas of the country. “These regions had relatively little rain to date. Usually, it also ensures rainy conditions to the west of the country. These regions might receive rain by the end of February or the beginning of March.”
Meat prices soar
Furthermore, the NAU says 2020 saw a drastic drop in livestock marketing and an increase in producer prices. In comparison to 2019, the number of cattle, sheep, and goats marketed in 2020 dropped significantly by 47%, 50.2%, and 40.0%, respectively.
The majority of the livestock was sold in 2019 when farmers had to destock to protect themselves from the impact of drought and prevent financial ruin.
“Therefore, a reduction in the supply of livestock was anticipated. Often, when production supply decreases, prices rise due to an increase in demand, and this was the experience in 2020.”
According to the union the total weighted cattle price rose by 19.2% more in 2020 than in 2019, whereas, sheep producer price increased by 18.0% during the same period.
The improvement in the total weighted cattle price was mainly a result of an increase in weaner prices. On average, weaner price as a percentage of slaughter price stood higher at 76.7% in 2020 than the same 2019 figure at 55.7%. It means that raising weaners was a better deal than producing oxen in 2020.
“Farmers have been under extreme financial pressure and some heavily indebted, therefore the high weaner prices gave farmers a bit of a leeway to reinvest in their farming operations and production in 2021.”
The Namibia Meteorological Service also asked farmers to help compile historical rainfall figures. These figures will enrich the national climate database and improve their climate monitoring efforts.
Day-to-day rainfall figures are preferred, but any format in which the data is available is welcome. The Meteorological Service will release a bulletin that will be circulated to the NAU and shared with members in the newsletter.
Members are requested to send all information to Rina Hough ([email protected]) at the NAU office or directly to the Meteorological Service. Contact Sieglinde Somses at 061-208 8822 or email [email protected].
WINDHOEK
The chances of rain in the western parts of Southern Africa, including Namibia, do not look favourable in the short term, especially in the central to southern parts of the country.
This is according to South African climatologist Johan van den Berg, who says it appears that conditions in the northern and north-eastern regions of Namibia may have improved over the weekend.
In the medium term, approximately around 15 or 16 February, heavy rain is expected in the northeast of the country.
Similarly, the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) says there should be rainfall across the eastern parts of Namibia in the latter part of February.
The weather conditions in the central to southern areas should also improve during the later stages of the month.
High expectations
“With the La Niña phenomenon still very strong, the rain forecast looks very positive in the long run,” according to the union.“It seems like the country will get rain for the rest of February, March, and maybe even April.” La Niña also creates a strong possibility for rain in the arid parts of the southern and southwestern areas of the country. “These regions had relatively little rain to date. Usually, it also ensures rainy conditions to the west of the country. These regions might receive rain by the end of February or the beginning of March.”
Meat prices soar
Furthermore, the NAU says 2020 saw a drastic drop in livestock marketing and an increase in producer prices. In comparison to 2019, the number of cattle, sheep, and goats marketed in 2020 dropped significantly by 47%, 50.2%, and 40.0%, respectively.
The majority of the livestock was sold in 2019 when farmers had to destock to protect themselves from the impact of drought and prevent financial ruin.
“Therefore, a reduction in the supply of livestock was anticipated. Often, when production supply decreases, prices rise due to an increase in demand, and this was the experience in 2020.”
According to the union the total weighted cattle price rose by 19.2% more in 2020 than in 2019, whereas, sheep producer price increased by 18.0% during the same period.
The improvement in the total weighted cattle price was mainly a result of an increase in weaner prices. On average, weaner price as a percentage of slaughter price stood higher at 76.7% in 2020 than the same 2019 figure at 55.7%. It means that raising weaners was a better deal than producing oxen in 2020.
“Farmers have been under extreme financial pressure and some heavily indebted, therefore the high weaner prices gave farmers a bit of a leeway to reinvest in their farming operations and production in 2021.”
The Namibia Meteorological Service also asked farmers to help compile historical rainfall figures. These figures will enrich the national climate database and improve their climate monitoring efforts.
Day-to-day rainfall figures are preferred, but any format in which the data is available is welcome. The Meteorological Service will release a bulletin that will be circulated to the NAU and shared with members in the newsletter.
Members are requested to send all information to Rina Hough ([email protected]) at the NAU office or directly to the Meteorological Service. Contact Sieglinde Somses at 061-208 8822 or email [email protected].
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