FEEDMASTER: Namibia’s Leader in Advanced Animal Feed

When founded in 1983 as a subsidiary of Namib Mills, Feedmaster’s primary objective was to maximise the use and value of milling by-products, with a product range initially limited to maize chop and the first mixed feeds manually produced on a cement platform. Namib Mills, meanwhile was established one year prior, and its investment in a wheat mill in 1986 enabled the development and manufacture of a much more comprehensive range of feed products, through the introduction of 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,” the company assesses, which commitment has enabled Feedmaster to consistently formulate products with the requisite nutrients to safeguard optimal animal health and productivity.

“Our strategic intent is to be the leading supplier of technologically advanced animal feed products and value-added services through our skilled and committed staff.”

FUELLING FOUR DECADES

The close of 2023 saw Feedmaster mark its 40th year of operations, having guarded the simplest of concepts at its heart throughout: to provide high-quality animal feed that would enhance the productivity of Namibian livestock farmers.

“We are so proud of what we have achieved in the past 40 years,” enthused Group CEO Ian Collard, commending the dedication and hard work of Feedmaster’s employees as so integral to the company’s sustained success. Collard was also anxious to thank Namibian farmers for their own unwavering support, acknowledging their role as a driving force in understanding the industry’s challenges and needs. 

Over this long and distinguished lifetime, says the company, “Feedmaster 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.” To this end, Feedmaster has continually upscaled and optimised its operations, establishing a state-of-the-art monogastric animal feed mill on the Okapuka farm in November 2013.

In 2017, Feedmaster then unveiled a modern ruminant feed mill, standing as a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation and technological advancement. The investment, according to Feedmaster, was propelled 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.

“Feedmaster’s products, training and extension services to animal producers are meticulously formulated based on scientifically proven principles specifically developed for Namibian farming conditions,” the company clarifies. “This dedication to providing localised solutions has been instrumental in supporting the growth and success of Namibia’s livestock industry.”

EVOLVING NEEDS

Feedmaster today boasts an impressive annual production capacity of in excess of 200,000 tonnes across its three plants, an almost unimaginable increase from its initial output of 150 tonnes. “This remarkable growth reflects the company’s unwavering dedication to providing high-quality, technology-driven feed solutions,” says Feedmaster.

In this spirit of evolution and improvement, Feedmaster recently revealed the significant shift in Equibran, part of its Equimaster range, from mash to pellets. “When it comes to feeding your horse, we want to make things easier,” Feedmaster summarises, in characteristic fashion. “Equibran mash will now be replaced with Equibran pellets, allowing for more flexibility and a lower chance of choking when the product has not been moistened by mistake.” Equibran pellets, Feedmaster explains, are formulated with feedlime to achieve a calcium to phosphate ratio essential for bone development and growth and the maintenance of bone strength.

As well as its core feed production activities, Feedmaster also operates Namib Laboratories, a subsidiary entity whose establishment in 2018 was sparked by a desire to address the shortcomings of local veterinary laboratory services, particularly within the poultry industry. Looking ahead, states the company, Feedmaster remains committed to further strengthening its position as a leader in animal feed production.

“The company is unwavering in its dedication to supporting the growth and sustainability of Namibia’s agricultural sector,” Feedmaster asserts, “ensuring that Namibian farmers continue to thrive and contribute to the nation’s economic prosperity through the provision of superior animal nutrition as part of the food supply chain.”