Top mohair producer thanks farm workers for achievement

[caption id="attachment_39597" align="alignright" width="405"] IN CHARGE OF SORTING: Miena Chrisjan at work. INSET: Head shearer Maghiel Chrisjan[/caption]

AT a glittering awards ceremony where the top mohair producer in the country was recently announced, Rietbron farmer Barries Snijman thanked his farm workers one-by-one by name for the part they played in the farm's achievement.

Vleikuil was announced the Grand Champion Clip winner and received the 2013 Miyuki Keori Trophy for a second year, after also winning the prestigious award in the highly-competitive South African mohair industry in 2010.

The next day at the South African Mohair Growers' Association congress, Snijman's fellow farmers and industry professionals were still impressed with his acceptance speech and the special relationship he shares with his farm workers.

In an interview Snijman said he was humbled and grateful the farm achieved the award for a second year.

"The quality of the clip to a large extent depends on the preparation of the clip during the sorting and classing process.

"The sorting at Vleikuil gets done by an expert group of 20 ladies who class the clip string by string.

"The breeding and quality of the animals are also important, but I think the preparation of the clip has made the main difference to our success," Snijman said.

At the head of his formidable female sorting team is Miena Chrisjan, who has along with her husband and the head shearer on the farm, Maghiel, worked at Vleikuil with Snijman for two decades.

"She is like the mother hen of the sorters and has trained up her sisters and daughters to class the clip," Snijman said.

Chrisjan said the couple as well as the entire team were very proud of the award and the work they do at Vleikuil.

"It means a lot to us. We enjoy working for Mr Snijman," she said.

Sponsored by Miyuki Holdings, a top-end Japanese fabric weaver, the trophy is awarded annually to the producer with the best-classed mohair clip. Snijman won a R5000 cash prize as well as a Miyuki Mohair suit length to the value of R5000.

Miyuki Holdings produces superior quality suiting and supplies mohair to suit manufacturers globally, most of them falling into the high-end price range. They have been sponsoring the Miyuki Trophy Competition for the top SA mohair producers since 1980.

Snijman farms with 10000 goats, 1000 sheep and Bonsmara cattle although his main focus is on the angora goat for mohair production.

Asked what he thought about the controversial proposal by Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti to give half of all farm land to farm labourers, Snijman said he did not think it was a well thought out proposal.

"It is not practical and will have too many implications. Farmers need to be compensated in a fair manner." - Cindy Preller