The Upper Telle Shearing Shed from Region 25 was crowned the overall winner for best classed clip during the National Wool Growers’ Association congress held in Jeffreys Bay.
By Fredalette Uys
The top five regional shearing sheds were selected from about 2 000 across communal farming areas in the Eastern Cape, according to Willem Goosen, manager of communal marketing development and infrastructure at the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA). He applauded farmers for their commitment to wool production under difficult circumstances.
According to Goosen the communal farmers produces under very difficult circumstances. An average of 30 farmers brings their wool together in one shearing shed to sell to a broker an that takes a lot of commitment.
He also said that the clean yield achieved by the shearing sheds is impressive if you have to take into account that most farmers have to kraal animals their animals every night.
An average of 30 farmers bring their wool together at a shearing shed to sell to a broker, and that takes commitment, he said. He added that the clean yield achieved by the shearing sheds was impressive, especially considering that most farmers have to kraal their animals every night.
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Producing wool under tough conditions
The members of the Upper Telle Shearing Shed are highly dedicated to sheep farming, said Mncedisi Mandalaza, a representative from the shed, which is situated high in the Drakensberg Mountains in the Eastern Cape, near the Lesotho border.
Mandalaza said he had not expected this recognition. He hoped the award would serve as an encouragement for other farmers to not give up, but to continue working hard to achieve more.
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Award-winning wool quality
The Upper Telle Shearing Shed produced 29 bales during the previous season, all of which were sold as producer lots, with no bin bales.
The average micron of the clip was 20,3, with an exceptional clean yield of 70,11%.
The average price achieved was R126,85/kg, and the highest price for a single lot was R134,90/kg for an AAF bale.
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