Merino Wool in Communal Farming

The Eastern Cape Communal Wool Growers hosted their 3rd Annual Congress on the 23rd of August. More than 1.500 delegates gathered in tents at the Makoatlana Shearing Shed, just outside Mount Fletcher, to discuss wool growing issues in their region.

Mr. OZ Ntshakaza delivered his chairman?s report and Mr. Harry Prinsloo, president of the NWGA, addressed the delegates on the role of the NWGA advisors in the area.

Cape Wools SA and NWGA have been involved in the development of wool farmers in this region since 1997 and during the past wool season, just over R138 million in revenue was generated by the farmers selling their wool through the auction system. More than 36.000 Merino rams were donated to the communal farmers, to improve the quality of their wool.

Mr. Geoff Kingwill, chairman of Cape Wools SA, explained the role of marketing in the wool industry and how this benefits the growers in return. Genetic improvement, infrastructure development, stock and wool theft and problem animals were also discussed during the meeting. The MEC from the Department of Rural Development and Land reform, Mr. Mlibo Qhoboshiyane, addressed the delegates on the role of the farmer in the community and how the local youth can benefit from improved schooling through the income of wool sales. He urged the children to study further in the field of animal care and agriculture and return to plough their knowledge back into their own communities.

A full report and more information available from www.nwga.co.za and full size images from www.capewools.co.za.