The fourth annual OVK & Karoo Winter Wool Festival began on a high note with a gala dinner at the Rusoord venue in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, where the winners of the OVK Wool Innovation Competition and the Best Single Bale Wool Competition were officially announced.

In his opening address at the gala, Freddie van Zyl, director of OVK, praised all participants and highlighted the spirit of excellence that defined the wool industry.

“We honour excellence, perseverance, and pride in our product. The people being recognised this evening are not just winners on paper. They are examples of what is possible when hard work, commitment, quality genetics, good planning, and faith in the future come together. Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who participated,” Van Zyl said.

Best single bale wool winner

The top prize in the Best Single Bale Wool Competition, worth R25 000, went to Ian le Roux from Le Roux Trust. His farm, Fonteinskloof, is located in Riviersonderend in the Western Cape. Le Roux told Farmer’s Weekly that the competition was an important platform for growth and benchmarking in the wool industry.

“The competition gives you the opportunity to compare yourself to fellow farmers and track your progress. This is very special for the wool industry. I want to encourage farmers, both young and old, to continue promoting wool,” he said.

Wool innovation winner

Carlize van Zyl from Stellenbosch took first place in the Wool Innovation Competition, receiving a R20 000 prize for the second year in a row. She told Farmer’s Weekly that the win was a “surreal moment”.

“I really didn’t think I was going to win this year, especially because one of the other entrants is someone I admire so much. Just being part of it meant so much to me, and winning felt unbelievable,” she said.

When asked about her plans for the prize money, Van Zyl said: “I’m probably going to combine my two winnings to invest in something for the future. I definitely want to continue innovating.”

Both competitions were judged by panels of experts from various industries. The bale contest was judged blind to ensure fairness and objectivity.

The OVK & Karoo Winter Wool Festival is set to run from 3 to 5 July at Dwarsvlei Farm near Middelburg.