CANTERBURY FARMING
January 2016
25
Mohair expert visits New Zealand by Ann Morgan
A world’s leading expert in Angora goats and mohair arrived in New Zealand recently to share his knowledge and expertise with the country’s Angora goat farmers. The Mohair New Zealand Inc and Federated Farmers Goats conference was held in Pukekohe, and was set to educate and inspire Angora goat farmers with delegates from all over the country attending. “A highlight of the event was the presence of GT Ferreira, a world renowned mohair producer who made his mark as a top Angora goat farmer in South Africa. He is regarded as the world’s best producer of high-quality mohair. He has since brought his world-class genetics, global reputation and industry contacts to Australia, where he is now based,” says Mohair New Zealand chair Lynne Milne. “Mr Ferreira demonstrated the potential of Angora goats as a sustainable and lucrative farming enterprise. To have him talking to our farmers here was invaluable.” Mr Ferreira was meant to be joined by representatives of the Turkish Mohair Industry with the delegation led by associate professor Dr Irfan Daskiran from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture
and Livestock of Turkey and senior members of Turkish Sheep and Goat Breeders Association. “Disappointingly, the Turkish delegates had unforeseen visa issues in Australia due to a travel agent mistake, so have had to postpone their trip and plan to come in the very near future. They are looking to arrive at the end of February as they are wanting to improve their own mohair industry. “They are coming to see what they can learn from us to better improve their industry. We are hoping to get them into the South Island so they can see the technologies which we have to offer. “Their industr y has declined over time due to the younger generation moving to the cities and the time has come for them to come up with ways to keep their young people on the land and keep rural Turkey healthy.” The Angora goat originates from Turkey and is named after what was once the name of the country’s capital — Angora. “Not surprisingly, Turkey has
a longstanding Angora goat farming industry and we can learn from each other about how to improve our respective sectors,” said Ms Milne. “Attending this conference was a rare opportunity for Angora goat farmers to add value to their businesses. “Mr Ferreira spoke about weaving fibre and quality Angoras. Weaving fibre is a superior fibre to the average knitting fibre in the mohair industry. “It is a value added to the dairy industry and in the long term is more sustainable for the mohair producers. “He gave insights into the industry, the future of it and the possibility of producing and marketing the product here in New Zealand. He spoke about fibre quality and medullation and how these relate to further processing of the fibre.” There was a field day at David Brown’s farm in Waipu, Northland where there were examples of pure weaving bucks and first cross animals so that the delegates could identify the traits for themselves. “At Pukekohe
we went to John Woodwards warehouse where fibre is sorted for marketing and producers were challenged to grade fibre for themselves. This showed how it is prepared for the buyers. A talk about the recording of livestock. “It was interesting to see how it would relate to the mohair industry. This was followed with a presentation about markers and traits in animals and how that may relate to Angora in goats.” There was a fleece competition where producers presented their fleeces and they were judged by Mr Ferreira. “We had a dinner where everybody had to dress to impress wearing mohair. Remembering that it is summer, this was quite a challenge. “There were some very innovative and exciting things worn. It was a very enjoyable time and of course the menu was goat meat. “The event was informative, educational and lots of fun. We ended with an Angora goat sale.”
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