Communal wool sheds rewarded for development
Five communal wool sheds were rewarded for development over the past year at the annual general meeting of the National Woolgrowers’ Association of South Africa (NWGA). The NWGA / Zoetis Prestige Awards honours regional shearing sheds for achieving outstanding results in developing their sheep project for an increased wool income and then elects an overall winner as the Best Communal Shearing shed. Congratulations to the following regional shearing shed winners:
Region 20
Lumanyano Woolgrowers, situated in Tsolo, was awarded the most improved shearing shed. They produced 52 bales, with no bin bales, which shows good improvement and received an average price of R66/kg, with an average micron of 19.6.
Region 21
Allen Waters Woolgrowers situated in Whittlesea have reaped the benefits of being involved with the NWGA for many years, receiving training in essential management practices. They produced 46 bales, of which 1 bin bale was identified, received an average price of R109/kg, with an average micron of 18.8. The market price was R169/kg, with the hoggets recording 16.8 microns. Amazing results if farmers are prepared to buy good quality rams and improve flocks without only relying on the government for assistance.
Allen Waters was also selected as the overall winner.
Region 23
Ludumo Shearing Shed, situated between Dordrecht and Queenstown, produced 73 bales, receiving an average price for wool clip of R108-77, with hogget price fetching R150/kg and an average micron of 18.8.
Region 24
Luzie Shearing shed, Mount Fletcher, produced 83 bales for the season, receiving an average price of R107-20/kg, with the highest price of R135/kg paid for hogget wool and an average micron of 19.7.
Region 25
Upper Tele Shearing shed, situated in Sterkspruit on the Lesotho border, produced 69 bales, receiving R118-75/kg, with hogget price fetching R196/kg and an average micron of 19.2. The average micron for the hogget line was 16.9 microns.
All the above shearing sheds, besides Lumanyano, purchased their own rams to increase the quality of sheep flocks. NWGA production advisors are actively conducting training in sheep shearing, wool classing and sheep management in the respective shearing sheds, contributing to the success of increasing profitability in wooled sheep farming.
The five communities will each receive animal health products from Zoetis, a global animal health company that is the sole sponsor of the competition. Zoetis will continue with their annual procedure of handing out the prizes later in the year when their field officers will liaise with NWGA production advisors to visit the respective communities and administer the animal health medicine according to the number of livestock in that village.
Zoetis representative Khanyo Moshoeshoe expressed delight in partnering with the NWGA for the past years and would like to strengthen relations as they can see much progress in communal flocks. They have seen tremendous growth in their own business.