4 December 2023
The Local Development and Environmental Management Department (LED) of the Umzimvubu local municipality in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape recognises the potential of wool sheep production as a major contributing commodity to the economy. It has embarked on a livestock development programme as well as a woolled sheep value addition programme.
The municipality allocated funding to buy wool presses after recognising the need for proper equipment for processing and compacting wool after shearing.
At the handing-over ceremony, Honourable Mayor Zukiswa Ndevu handed over 28 wool presses to woolgrower associations and urged farmers to keep the equipment safe.
National Wool Growers Association (NWGA) production advisor XL Nyamela explained the economic benefits of wool presses as farmers save significantly on transportation if the maximum bae weight of 180kg is reached. All handling costs are kept to a minimum if presses are used correctly.
Since this is the third handover, Nyamela thanked the Umzimvubu local municipality for 84 wool presses that have been provided since 2019.
