Feedmaster celebrates 40 years

Feedmaster recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a ‘casino royale extravaganza’ theme.

The event took place on 15 November and saw Feedmaster hosting a formal cocktail evening for board members, top management and business partners at its Okapuka factory, which was transformed into a stylish casino with dice, poker chips and a captivating ambience.

According to the company, the theme was a nod to its humble beginnings and willingness to take risks.

“In the early days, Feedmaster embarked on a gamble with a simple concept: To provide high-quality animal feed that would enhance the productivity of Namibian livestock farmers. With no clear path to success, the company took a leap of faith, just like a gambler betting on a long shot.”

Group CEO Ian Collard commended the dedication and hard work of Feedmaster's employees, recognising their contributions to the company's success.

He further thanked Namibian farmers for their unwavering support, acknowledging their role as a guiding force in understanding the industry's challenges and needs. "We are so proud of what we have achieved in the past 40 years.”

Initial product range

Feedmaster was founded in 1983 as a subsidiary of Namib Mills with the primary objective of maximising the utilisation of milling by-products.

Initially, the company’s product range was limited to maize chop, and the first mixed feeds were manually produced on a cement platform.

However, with Namib Mills' investment in a wheat mill in 1986, a more comprehensive range of feed products was developed and manufactured using motorised mixing equipment.

“Feedmaster's growth and innovation have been fuelled by a dedication to ongoing research, a deep understanding of nutritional balance and animal digestion, and applying local and international research findings in product development. This commitment has enabled Feedmaster to formulate feed with the appropriate nutrients, ensuring optimal animal health and productivity,” it said in a statement.

It has evolved into a company at the forefront of animal nutrition, consistently striving to enhance and add value to sustainable livestock production systems.

“As Namibia's top animal feed producer, Feedmaster is committed to providing technology-enabled livestock feed that enhances and adds value to sustainable livestock production systems. In pursuit of this goal, Feedmaster established a state-of-the-art monogastric animal feed mill on the farm Okapuka in November 2013,” according to Feedmaster.

Expansion

In 2000, Feedmaster expanded its operations by acquiring Veekos, a South African feed mill specialising in lucerne-based feeds in Upington.

“This acquisition solidified Feedmaster's position as a regional leader in animal feed production and further enhanced its product portfolio.”

Feedmaster's products, training, and extension services to animal producers are meticulously formulated based on scientifically proven principles specifically developed for Namibian farming conditions, it said.

“This dedication to providing localised solutions has been instrumental in supporting the growth and success of Namibia's livestock industry.”

In 2017, Feedmaster unveiled a modern ruminant feed mill, a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation and technological advancement.

“This investment was driven by the constant growth in the ruminant feed market sector and advances in local precision farming practices, which require animal feeds to improve livestock production profitability.”

Production capacity

Today, Feedmaster boasts an impressive annual production capacity of up to 210 000 tonnes across its three plants, significantly increasing from its initial output of 150 tonnes.

The company said this remarkable growth reflects its unwavering dedication to providing high-quality, technology-driven feed solutions that meet the evolving needs of Namibia's livestock producers.

To guarantee that its products and services remain at the forefront of industry standards, Feedmaster employs a team of highly qualified and dedicated technical nutritionists, technical advisers and industry consultants who actively engage in global research across various disciplines of animal production.

This commitment to continuous learning has been instrumental in positioning Feedmaster as one of the few African animal feed manufacturers holding a Food Safety International Standards Level 1 award and ISO 22002-6 accreditation.

These certifications ensure that Feedmaster's products comply with the highest international standards and legislation.

In addition to its core feed production activities, Feedmaster also operates Namib Laboratories, a subsidiary established in 2018 to conduct all microbiological, serological, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) related diagnostic tests for the Namib Mills group of companies.

The establishment of Namib Laboratories was driven by a desire to address the shortcomings of local veterinary laboratory services, particularly within the poultry industry, Feedmaster said.

Looking ahead, the company noted that it remains committed to strengthening its position as a leader in animal feed production, continuously innovating and expanding its product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of Namibia's livestock producers.