Ester Mbathera
The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has issued a call for expressions of interest from qualified professionals to lease and operate the Okapuka Feedlot situated a few kilometres along the road between Windhoek and Okahandja for one year.
This is as the livestock industry is battling a relentless drought that forces producers to drastically reduce their herds.
Meatco emphasised the urgency of maintaining a functional feedlot to prevent a national disaster and support the stabilisation of the meat industry.
The selected operator will be responsible for managing the Okapuka Feedlot at a minimum standing capacity of 3 500 cattle within 90 days of project commencement.
This operation will require adherence to water availability guidelines from the Von Bach Aquifer.
With 106 pens, the feedlot stocks around 9 200 cattle at any given time, primarily A-grade animals.
These cattle are sourced from communal and commercial producers south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence and are kept and fed at the facility for a period of 90 days before being sent for slaughter.
The operator’s duties include designing a contract feeding model, providing financial forecasts, and ensuring the upkeep of necessary equipment and licenses. Additionally, the operator must pay Meatco a negotiated daily standing fee and deliver cattle for slaughter according to an agreed plan.
To qualify, interested parties must submit evidence of their capabilities, including a curriculum vitae, details of similar past assignments, proof of financial stability, and a letter of intent, by 19 June at Meatco’s Head Office in Windhoek.
Commercial farmer Rian van Wyk welcomed the idea but says right now is not the time.
“It’s viable, but it depends on the operator and getting the fodder. At this time, it won’t work in Namibia, maybe next year, when we get good rain, we won’t have enough chop available to operate a feedlot like that,” he said.
