OKAKARARA - An Orusuuo farmer, at Epukiro, won a triple at the recent Okakarara Trade Fair when his Brahman bull, a cow and a calf won in three separate livestock categories.

Ace Kavari’s red Brahman bull won the Champion of Champions trophy, walking away with a prize of N$1 115 worth of vouchers from Agra.
The cow came first in the senior category of the livestock competition, while the calf won first place in the junior category. Each of the two wins came with N$600 in prize money.

“Farming contributes to sustaining my family. I have dug a borehole worth N$60 000, installed a solar system worth N$67 000, bought a truck worth N$75 000 and built a modern house with electricity, all from cattle sales. My salary alone would not have been able to afford all my farming activities,” said a proud Kavari who works fulltime as a credit manager at First National Bank of Namibia (FNB).
Kavari has won over 10 awards for his Brahman studs. However, this was his first win at the Okakarara Trade Fair.
“I fed my beasts special food prior to the fair,” he beamed, adding that his bulls each fetch as much as N$50 000 and his calves up to N$15 000 during auctions.

He has not taken part in the Agra auctions yet seeing that the communal auctions are enough for now, according to the farmer. Kavari exclusively breeds red Brahman at his communal farm situated in the Omaheke Region and attributes his success to his cattle herders, whom he says are like his brothers. “I travel to the village every other weekend,” he emphasised, adding that it takes commitment, effort, love and teamwork to be a successful livestock farmer.

“I put a lot of effort into my farm. I bought expensive bulls from South African and Namibian farmers and I feed them with beef pro-14 and grass,” he added.
The farmer explained that his aim was not to win at this year’s fair when he entered 14 of his studs, but to bring beautiful animals for other farmers to view and purchase if interested.

“I love the Brahman breed, I grew up loving animals with my father, but I officially started farming on my own in 2003,” said Kavari.
Head of the Agricultural sector of the Okakarara Trade Fair, John Uazukuani, confirmed Kavari’s winnings, adding that almost 230 small and large livestock were on show at the fair.
“We look at various factors – if the breed is authentic, if the breed can produce quality offspring, if the bread produces dairy or meat, physical appearance, the manner in which they walk as well as their hooves, among others,” he explained.