18 May 2024
Nearly 300 animals competed in a regional flock competition at the Mangolong shearing shed, situated in Maluti B, in the Matatiele district, Eastern Cape.
The enthusiasm of the nearly 600 attendees from surrounding districts of Mount Fletcher, Maluti A and Maclear were tangible, and farmers showcased their best quality animals to compete in the four categories: rams, ewes, two-tooth ewes, and lambs.
The ram category received the most entries of 94, while 87 ewes competed, two-tooth ewes saw 50 entries and the lamb’s category 46 entries.
Japs Jordaan of Zeiss Studs in Cradock provided mineral blocks to the winners and sponsors Zoetis, BKB, Talitha Pharma and the Department Of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform contributed towards the competition and used the platform to introduce their products and educate farmers on various aspects of animal health and woolled sheep farming.
National Wool Growers Association production advisor, Lusanda Nteta, felt encouraged by the competition and that more events such as this, would contribute to the genetic improvement of communal flocks, which is the key to producing quality wool, and ultimately, the purpose of the competition.
