NWGA

15/06/2026

WE HAVE A WINNER

The NWGA is thrilled to announce that Marianke Rossouw from Rusrand, Bothaville, produced the winning image "Goue handewerk" in the 2026 NWGA / Santam Landbou Photo Competition.

A hearty congratulations.

Thank you Santam Landbou for the sponsorship and Plaas Media for adjudicating the winners. See less

12/06/2026

A CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE, CAPTURED IN ONE MOMENT

How fitting that our Golden Ram recipients could be together in one photograph during our centennial celebrations.

Each of these individuals has made an exceptional contribution to the South African wool industry, helping to shape, strengthen and advance our sector through their leadership, dedication and service.

A truly special moment in a truly historic year.

Photo: Dr. George de K**k, Dr. Arno Moore, Guillau du Toit, Harry Prinsloo, Geoff Kingwill, SK Makinana and Izak van der Merwe

12/06/2026

BUILDING A UNIFIED ANIMAL FIBRE SECTOR

During the NWGA's 95th congress last week, the NWGA resolved to strengthen collaboration across South Africa’s animal fibre industries, creating a unified voice with greater influence in local and global markets.

Climate-resilient wool sheep production was one of the panel sessions held during the recent 95th congress of the National Wool Growers’ Association, or NWGA. This year’s congress coincided with the organisation’s centennial year. The panel was facilitated by Landbouweekblad editor Chris Burgess and comprised well-known figures in the livestock farming and research sectors.

The discussion kicked off with opening remarks from livestock producer James Brodie, known for his regenerative practices. The other panel members were Stellenbosch University-based researcher Prof James Blignaut (also representing ASSET Research), Prof JW Swanepoel of the University of the Free State’s Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Isak Staats of BKB, and well-known livestock producer Sean Hobson, who also represented Mohair SA.

The discussion, among others, emphasised that each generation of livestock farmers tends to make the best of the tools at their disposal. The message, however, was clear: Farmers are custodians of the land and must employ regenerative practices with the next generation in mind. In the past, regenerative practices were viewed as challenging and requiring substantial input. Nowadays, however, numerous examples show that regenerative farming practices do, in fact, work and can be implemented with great success. However, it is not a quick fix or a single solution; it is a process that unfolds over generations and must be maintained.

The panel referred to invaluable research on measuring the carbon footprint of wool and mohair farms, and the measurement tools used. Reference was also made to the certification systems and audits required to participate fully in the commercial wool market. One of the NWGA’s significant resolutions following this session was to promote collaboration across South Africa’s animal fibre industries to enable the sector to speak with one voice and strengthen its influence in domestic and international markets. The NWGA also resolved to advance climate-resilient wool sheep farming through scientifically validated regenerative practices and to actively advocate for these practices in both the commercial and communal farming sectors.

NWGA Hollard Plaas Media Zoetis Stellenbosch University University of the Free State Mohair South Africa BKB

12/06/2026

HOW DO WOOL LENGTH AND FINENESS AFFECT THE VALUE OF YOUR CLIP?

Annelize Smit van Niekerk continues her discussion on the physical properties of wool and their economic impact, with a focus on these two important characteristics.

09/06/2026

Congratulations to all the regional shearing sheds for your outstanding achievement in developing your sheep projects for increased income from wool. The NWGA is so proud of you.

09/06/2026

Die NWKV bedank vir Deon Saayman, wie se inleidende opmerkings en fasiliterende rol tot die sessie oor die interafhanklikheid tussen biosekuriteit, volhoubaarheid en naspeurbaarheid, groot belangstelling ontlok het.

Sy indrukke oor die sessie word in die onderstaande video vervat.

09/06/2026

WHY BIOSECURITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND TRACEABILITY MATTER MORE THAN EVER

During the NWGA's 95th congress last week, Deon Saayman of Cape Wools facilitated a session which focused on the interdependency between biosecurity, sustainability and traceability.

During the third panel discussion at the National Wool Growers’ Association’s 95th conference at Mentorskraal in Jeffreys Bay, Deon Saayman of Cape Wools facilitated the session which focussed on the interdependency between biosecurity, sustainability, and traceability. The session kicked off with a video that covered the traceability process of a wool bale.

The panel members were Ravikant Sharma of Icebreaker, Dr George de K**k, chairperson of Cape Wools SA, Michelle Padayachee of GS1, and Paul Lynch of Standard Wool. Each panel member is an expert in sustainability, biosecurity, traceability, and purchasing, respectively. In his presentation, Sharma explained Icebreaker’s targets of decreasing synthetics in sportswear. They use Merino wool to achieve these goals because of its thermoregulatory and moisture-management properties. No other material can manage the body’s microclimate as well as wool does. Icebreaker is one of a few companies offering ten-year rolling contracts for farmers from whom they source their wool. Traceability, he said, equals trust. They employ forward traceability precisely because they know the farms they source their wool from. Wool sportswear has grown by 58% year-on-year, with Merino wool products growing by 119%. Their greatest demand is from China. This is a very positive indicator for wool growers.

During the discussion, Dr de K**k said farmers will circumvent biosecurity measures if that is how they can get to the market to trade their products. For biosecurity to succeed, the entire value chain has to buy into the system. Traceability will allow the value chain to point out those who circumvent biosecurity measures. Lynch pointed to the cost of non-compliance, e.g. storage costs of goods that cannot be exported but have to sit in storage and harbours. He believes producers are often reactive rather than proactive when it comes to animal diseases. Traceability will play a major role in ensuring biosecurity and keeping farmers in business.

Dr de K**k explained that the Sustainable Cape Wools Standard is available to all local wool farmers and offers a toolkit for shearing sheds, labour, etc., that allows farmers to offer a product, ensuring that wool is farmed responsibly. Lynch replied that while some farmers complain about not receiving a premium for adhering to the SCWS or the Responsible Wool Standard, it is nevertheless important to protect brands, and farmers who don’t adhere will not have a market for their product.

Padayachee of GS1 explained that it is a global organisation and an ISO recognised standard. GS1 is focussing on the agricultural industry because it is so important for the European market. Digital product passports will be required from October this year for products exported to Europe. “Telling your story in a digital ledger will create trust and open markets,” she said.

NWGA Plaas Media BKB Hollard Zoetis Cape Wools SA

09/06/2026

Thank you, Santam Landbou, for partnering with the NWGA to build a databank of photographs, and in addition, inspire photographers to see wool and wool production in a new and artistic light.

08/06/2026

Thank you to Wandile Sihlobo for leading a thought-provoking discussion on the future of an inclusive and sustainable wool sheep economy.

His key takeaways and concluding remarks can be viewed in the video below.

08/06/2026

NWGA COMMITS TO INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WOOL SHEEP ECONOMY

During the centennial celebrations last week, congress resolved to reaffirm its leadership role and ensure greater coordination across the industry. The organisation will continue to engage government regarding a genetic improvement scheme and other projects, while intensifying its support of black producers and farmers in communal and emerging systems. The NWGA will align its programmes with the goals of the Agricultural Master Plan (AAMP) to support, among others, infrastructure. It will also support a more integrated value chain and reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable, climate-resilient industry.

During the first panel session discussion at the National Wool Growers’ Association’s 95th congress at Mentorskraal in Jeffreys Bay, Wandile Sihlobo opened the session with the announcement that government has officially announced a land reform initiative aimed at releasing land with title deeds to deserving beneficiaries. The process is still to be announced.

The session focussed on an inclusive and sustainable wool sheep economy. Sihlobo, the chief economist at Agbiz, facilitated the session. The panel members were Mfundo Macanda of the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Dominic Tsoananyana, NWGA communal vice-chairperson in the Eastern Cape (and also a producer), Khanyiso Mzayifani, NWGA production advisor, and broker Sivuyile Mvinjelwa. A recurring theme in the discussion was genetic improvement.

Tsoananyana said the greatest challenges facing communal farmers include access to financing, proper infrastructure, fodder shortages and fenced land. He referred to the huge impact that ram improvement programmes and skills such as financial management can make in the lives of communal farmers. Mzayifani confirmed the fact that genetic improvement is essential to improving wool quality in the communal area; he encouraged the government and other role-players to assist in getting such a programme off the ground again. At the same time, problems such as poor biosecurity and stock theft abound, and technology is needed to keep herds and livelihoods safe.

Mvinjelwa said perceptions that all wool from communal areas is contaminated should be dispelled. There should not be a blanket marketing approach that punishes communal producers across the board. He also spoke about ram quality and the benefits of technology, such as insemination, pregnancy scanning, and synchronisation, to increase lamb yields.

Macanda discussed the provincial situation and said collaboration and programmes are needed to truly address issues in the communal areas. He also referred to the discontinuation of ram programmes that need to be revitalised and to the requirement that rams be of high quality. Tsoananyana supported Macanda’s viewpoint and emphasised that cooperation between communal and commercial farmers should be honest and transparent.

The congress resolved to reaffirm its leadership role and ensure greater coordination across the industry. The organisation will continue to engage the government regarding a genetic improvement scheme and other projects, while intensifying its support of black producers and farmers in communal and emerging systems. The NWGA will align its programmes with the goals of the Agricultural Master Plan to support, among others, infrastructure. It will also support a more integrated value chain and reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable, climate-resilient industry.

NWGA NWGA Communal Woolgrowers Plaas Media BKB Zoetis OVK Voermol Feeds SA Shell Nedbank King Price Insurance