Farmers from the Albany district gathered in Grahamstown for the annual Flock Competition and Mohair Promotion Day, hosted by the Albany Mohair Growers’ Association. The day involved a series of talks as well as a competition which saw a few dozen Angora goats being showcased on the St Andrew’s lower field for the judges to view.
Farmers from the Albany district gathered in Grahamstown for the annual Flock Competition and Mohair Promotion Day, hosted by the Albany Mohair Growers’ Association. The day involved a series of talks as well as a competition which saw a few dozen Angora goats being showcased on the St Andrew’s lower field for the judges to view.
Gary Willows, a technical field advisor from Cape Mohair and Wool, said the main aim of the competition was for farmers to be able to compare their flocks and see how they could be improved commercially. Goats were judged according to various criteria, including length of wool, softness and general appearance and colour. South Africa produces 55% of the world’s mohair, with Uitenhage being home to the largest mohair factory in the world, Pure Cape Textiles. "What makes mohair special is it’s natural sheen. It’s also lightweight and doesn’t crease," said Jackie Gant, Marketing and Promotions Manager of Mohair South Africa, a non-profit organisation aiming to promote the mohair industry.
"South Africa is the top mohair producing country in the world. That is something we can be immensely proud of," said Gant. She pointed out that the jersey worn by Michelle Obama at the 2009 USA presidential inauguration was made out of mohair from the Camdeboo valley.
Angora goats are sheared for the first time at six months of age, and can then go on producing usable mohair for the rest of their lives.
Last year the Albany area produced 2.32% of the country’s total mohair production. Paul Webber, one of the prize winners at the competition who farms in the Committees Drift area, said the biggest problem facing farmers in the area is the threat of predators. He said this is a result of the rising number of surrounding game farms, with animals such as hyenas, jackals and lynx now attacking neighbouring livestock. Colin Were, also a prize winner who has been farming in the Fish River Valley for around 50 years, agreed. "If we can control the predators we will be fine, but the way we’re going now, it’s going to be heavy."
Were said that although farming has become tougher, there is still a demand for mohair and farmers get a fair price for their product. "The economic situation hasn’t affected us – yet," he said.
