0

MPO Milk Bulletin 6 October 2017
Facebook
Website
LOCAL MARKET
MPO launches Guidelines to water use authorisation and registration for dairy farmers
Do you need help with the authorisation and registration of water use on your dairy farm? The MPO launched its newly published user-friendly Guidelines explaining the requirements of the National Water Act (36 of 1998) regarding the authorisation and registration of water use at its Annual General Meeting held in George on 20 September 2017.
The Guidelines were compiled with input from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), dairy industry role players and the WWF. The document was printed in a handy pocket-sized booklet, back to back in English and Afrikaans. The WWF/Woolworths Fresh Water Stewardship partnership sponsored the printing cost of the Guidelines.
The Guidelines include an overview of the legal framework for the effective and sustainable management of our water resources, the categories of water use and the different types of water uses applicable to dairy farmers. Water use activities that are subject to limits and conditions for which a water use is permissible under General Authorisation (GA) and water uses that may require a licence are listed with reference to the relevant Government Notices and the website links. To download the document, click HERE.

Imports remain high

During the first eight months of 2017, 65 159 t of dairy products were imported into South Africa. This is 65% more than during the same period in 2016. Exports during the first eight months were 1,4% up on 2016.  Exports exceeded imports during this period by 52 380 t.
Memorable milk celebrations at schools
On 27, 28 and 29 September 2017, the MPO, the Department of Basic Education (DBE), six provincial education departments (the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and North West) and Milk SA’s  Consumer Education Project (CEP) joined countries around the world to mark and celebrate World School Milk Day with  the theme “Dairy Gives You Go”.  The aim of the celebration was to increase awareness and highlight the significance of milk in a balanced diet, where milk comes from, how it is processed, as well as the nutritional benefits and the importance of milk for growing children.
Milk, flavoured milk or amasi sponsored by milk processors was distributed to almost 6 500 school children at participating schools. The eight schools in the six provinces were presented with learning material developed by Milk SA’s CEP, to guide teachers and educate learners about the nutrition and health benefits of milk and other dairy products.
At the festive events at the schools the learners celebrated milk with song, dance and rhymes. The highlight of the celebrations was the prize-giving ceremony where the winners of the dairy-themed quizz and colouring in competitions received their prizes sponsored by the MPO and various milk processors.
The MPO extends a special word of thanks DFSA, Parmalat, Dairy Day, Transem and Wynn With Milk Farm whose generous product sponsorships contributed to the success of this year’s School Milk Day celebrations.
 MPO Statutory census
The MPO administers a statutory measure in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (47 of 1996), which requires milk producers to register with the MPO and provide records and returns to the organisation. Questionnaires requesting information on milk product and cow numbers were sent out to all milk producers registered with the MPO this week. Producers are requested to complete the questionnaires and return them to the MPO by email as soon as possible.
The information is needed as it will enable the MPO to provide milk producers with updated and accurate statistics on the primary dairy industry. For further information contact Dr Koos Coetzee at 012 843 5600 or send an email to koos@mpo.co.za.
More milk celebrations
Die Hoërskool Wagpos in Brits celebrated World School Milk Day by dancing and stage performances, as well as by listening to presentations on the safe and hygienic handling of milk. Woodlands Dairy in Humansdorp, with its mascot Milky Moo. paid visits to St Patrick’s Primary School and Kruisfontein Primary School where 1 598 pupils each received a package containing milk..
Willie Jacobs, chairperson of the Ladybrand branch of the MPO, visited Thaba-Patchoa Combined School in Tweespruit and handed out to each learner copies of The School of Milk,the MPO’s colouring and activity book.

Look out for brucellosis in humans

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries states that the public should be on the lookout for signs of brucellosis in humans. To see the relevant article in its September issue ofCommunicable Diseases Communiqué, click HERE.

Dairy farmer appointed to OVK board

Freddie van Zyl, well-known Eastern Cape dairy farmer and former MPO board member, was appointed to the board of OVK recently. The MPO congratulates him on his appointment.

 Dairy farmer injured in farm attack

The MPO learnt with shock that dairy farmer Johnny Muller of the farm Kimberley near Frankfort in the Free State had been seriously injured during an attack on the farm. His wife and children were not harmed. The MPO wishes Johnny a speedy recovery.
INTERNATIONAL MARKET
Sustainability accreditation for Kerry milk suppliers
Kerry Group in Ireland announced that 100% of its milk suppliers achieved certification under the internationally accredited Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS).  SDAS was created by the Irish Food Board as part of the Origin Green national food sustainability programme Farm audits are independently conducted by SDAS every 18 months.
Edmond Scanlon, CEO designate of Kerry Group, said: “It is increasingly important we can demonstrate to our customers and consumers their food is produced safely and sustainably.” To read more, click HERE.
High growth expected in Latin American market 
The dairy market in Mexico and Latin America is growing rapidly on the back of mainly cheese and yoghurt sales. The demand for reuseable packaging is rising, urbanisation is increasing with rising incomes and the expansion of retail outlets. In addition, the market for value-added dairy products such as convenience packs and low-calorie high protein products is growing steadily.  To read more, click HERE.
Milk fat boosts US dairy farmers’ income
According to officials with Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and the National Milk Producers’ Federation (NMPF) in the US increased consumption of butter and full-cream dairy products has resulted in an increase of $2,2 billion to dairy farmers’ milk income. Butter’s share of total milk fat use in dairy products had increased from 16% in 2000 to 18% in 2016. To read more, clickHERE.
TRAINING
Schedule your dairy farm training now
Helene Pheiffer, training manager at the MPO, urges milk producers to schedule their dairy farm training as soon as possible. The Institute for Dairy Technology is continuously updating its schedule of training programmes for 2017. Their courses, some of which form part of Milk SA projects, are aimed at dairy farm workers and supervisors. Click HERE for details of the training programmes offered. Please contact Chantel Joubert at 012 843 5747 or send an e-mail tochantel@mpo.co.za  or Jas Wasserman at 082 490 2465 or send an e-mail to jas@mpo.co.zafor assistance and/or to book a five-day course.
Dairy management courses in October and November
A dairy management course will be presented at Orange Grove Dairy, Dundee and the Cedara Agricultural College, Howick from 9 to 13 October 2017. The course will provide an overall survey of the dairy industry and dairy-related legislation, farm enterprise management, financial management, labour relations management and environmental management.
A pasture management course will be presented at Orange Grove Dairy, Dundee and the Cedara Agricultural College in Howick from 30 October to 3 November 2017. The course will deal with pastures and farm planning, feed flow and pasture management, as well as the nutritional value and health risks of pastures.
Call Chantel Joubert at 012 843 5747 or contact her at chantel@mpo.co.za and Jas Wasserman at 012 843 5743 or contact her at jas@mpo.co.za for enquiries and registration for attending these courses.
MPO helps with occupational health and safety issues
The MPO’s Institute for Dairy Technology offers a five-day training course on the occupational health and safety code of best practice for dairy farmers. The course is practical and equips participants with the knowledge they need to comply with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Training is conducted on-farm in the language of preference. Dairy farmers who need assistance in complying with the Department of Labour’s health and safety requirements on their farms are encouraged to contact the Institute to schedule a training programme. The Institute is currently scheduling its training programmes for 2017. Click HEREfor details of all the training programmes offered. Please contact Chantel Joubert at 012 843 5747 or send an e-mail to chantel@mpo.co.za  or Jas Wasserman at 082 490 2465 or send an e-mail to jas@mpo.co.za for assistance and/or to book a five-day course.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
What was total SA milk supply in August?
Do you know how much milk was supplied in South Africa in August 2017? Put your knowledge to the test and stand a chance to win. A winner will be announced every month and there are several prizes to be won. After 12 draws, a national winner will be announced at the MPO’s 2018 gala dinner. Click HERE for more information and instructions on how to enter.

                              

The mechanics of profitable dairying

The cow is like a machine, with the rumen as the engine and milk the final product. Thus, the fuel you put in is vitally important. Improving the quality of this fuel improves the performance of the cow. To find out what the best approach is to making small grain silage, turn to page 66 of the October issue of The Dairy Mail for an article by August Lingnau, dairy product manager at De Heus South Africa. To read the digital copy of TDM, go to www.agriconnect.co.za.
EVENTS
Code of Practice training at Agri Expo Livestock
The MPO’s Institute for Dairy Technology is presenting Code of Practice training to dairy farm employees at the Agri-Expo Livestock on the Sandringham farm outside Stellenbosch on 12 and 13 October from 14:00 to 18:00 on 12 and 13 October from 14:00 to 18:00. Dairy farmers in the region are urged to register their employees for training on one of the two days. For more information and to register contact Chanelle Steenekamp at 076 774 1284 or send an email tochanelle@mpo.co.za.
The Big Farm Taste – from goat to beer!
Cheese, wine, craft beer, Boer goat meat, skaapstertjies, tripe and ice cream… all these delicacies and more await you at the Big Farm Taste on the Sandringham farm outside Stellenbosch on Saturday, 14 October 2017.
Agri-Expo, organiser of the popular South African Cheese Festival, promises a brand-new tasting experience of all things farm, both for farmies as well as townies. Visitors can look forward to unique combinations such as Bok&Bier (Boer goat meat and craft beer next to the braai). An array of craft and artisan products such as wine, Karoo lamb sosaties, roosterkoek, steak, yoghurt and ice cream will be available for tasting and sale at food and wine stalls.
Visit www.livestock.org.za for more information; follow Livestock on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or contact Agri-Expo on 021 975 4440 or admin@agriexpo.co.za. Press Release.

Published on Friday, 6th October 2017 - 20:03

Recent Posts

CHURN YOUR WEEKEND INTO A WEST COAST CHEESE AND WINE FESTIVAL

12 April 2022 Over the weekend of Saturday 23 to Sunday 24 April, the historic Groote Post Wine Estate, world-renowned for its award-winning wines, will play
Read More

HEAVY RAINFALL, ROADS CLOSURES PUT STRAIN ON KZN’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                   14 April 2022 The exportation of produce and importation of agricultural related goods has been significantly affected by the recent severe weather conditions
Read More

INTERNATIONAL FARMER PRICES AND DAIRY PRODUCT PRICES AT RECORD LEVELS

MPO POINTER 2/8 April 2022 In Europe, the average farmer price of unprocessed milk is up by 20%. Indeed, a new price regime developed after numerous
Read More

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE BIOSECURITY STRATEGY FOR THE MILK PRODUCER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 31 March 2022   Since 1 March 2022, eight new outbreaks have occurred in four South African provinces. Limpopo              2             11 March
Read More

disclaimer