MSA delegation invited to visit American Mohair Council
Feedback from Sanmarie
What an amazing experience, my first trip overseas and to America. Everything was overwhelming, from the long hours on the airplane (24 hours of actual flying time) to the different scenery.
The Mohair Council of America (MCA) welcomed and spoilt us from the moment we landed in San Angelo, Texas. It was humbling and heart-warming as we visited a few ranches and homes where we were welcomed and included in family meals. Their passion for their goats is visible and their love for the mohair industry is enormous. We were taught a few new farming terms regarding the goats: A ram is a Billy, a ewe is a Nanny and a kapater is a mutton!!! You all work very hard on your ranches and the whole family mucks in!
Mary Hartgrove, International Marketing Consultant, and past Executive Director of MCA, thank you for being my Texas mom. You are an asset to the industry.
Bonnie and Dale Naumann thank you for showing us Bandera and its quaint places – the old mohair warehouse that is an antique store today and the old Texas pub with the red door. We had a quick visit to your farm in the rain and met some of your friendly goats. Then you drove us 3 hours back to San Angelo. You are incredibly kind.
Justin and Meredith Stieler, what can I say!!! Your ranch outside Kerrville is like a home away from home and your kindness and care was appreciated. I loved the early morning deer sightings and teaching you a few Afrikaans sayings. Thank you! On our way to meet Dale and Bonnie, Justin took us to Dr Fred Speck's ranch, which is on the outskirts of Kerrville, to see his Angora's - Speck Angoras.
Carlon Strapper, thank you for taking us to see your mohair clip on display at Bollman Industries. It was great to see and discuss it in terms of the SA mohair clip. We also love that your daughters are part of the farming operation and classing your mohair. Keep up the great work! Ladd Hughes from Bollman Industries, thank you for showing us around your processing plant and sharing your experiences over the past few years. It was great to meet you.
We went to the MCA office which is shared with the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and met their executive secretary, Victoria Valliant. She is a mohair farmer’s daughter and spends most weekends on the family ranch working with their Angoras.
Jason Bannowsky it was lovely to meet you and thank you for driving us, firstly to Eldorado to meet Sharron Holman on their family ranch, Pfluger. Your ‘boys’ and girls’ are doing so well. Your ‘daddy’ would be proud.
Then onto Sonora to meet Seco Mayfield from Wool and Mohair warehouse. Most of the American mohair passes through their hands. What a joy to meet the industry legend, Joe David Ross, the industry legend, a retired vet but by no means a retired Angora Goat farmer! To the Giles family, thank you for inviting us onto your beautiful ranch, Hillingdon. What an experience!! Your family values pull through into your Angora Goats and land management!
I will never forget my time in Texas.
This was the most humbling experience I have ever had, and I am forever thankful for the opportunity that was given to me.
Feedback from Mary Hartgrove from Mohair Council of America
The plans for the visit with the South African group started off Tuesday (8th of Nov) evening when Mary met them at the airport and dropped them at their hotel before heading out to dinner that was attended by Bonnie and Dale Naumann (President of MCA), Carlon Stapper (former president of MCA and mohair producer) and Mary Hartgrove (International Marketing Consultant and past Executive Director of MCA). We had a lovely dinner and great conversations about the mohair industry.
Wednesday the 9th started with a trip to Bollman industries to see Carlon’s mohair that they handle for him. After that, the group went to MCA office where they met the executive secretary, Victoria Valliant of Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Jason Bannowsky joined us all for a great Mexican food lunch and then took them to Eldorado to visit their first mohair ranch, Pflueger ranch. From that point they went on to Sonora wool and mohair warehouse where they met Seco Mayfield who took them through the warehouse and answered all their questions. Justin Stieler met up with them and took them to his ranch in Kerrville where they spent 2 nights. On Thursday they went to the Giles ranch, Hillingdon for the day. On Friday morning Justin took them past Dr Fred Spec’s farm to see his flock of Angora Goats (that have SA bloodlines) before meeting the Naumann’s in Kerrville. Bonnie and Dale Naumann showed them around Bandera and took them to their farm before driving them back to San Angelo.
Everyone that contributed to make Jackie, Sanmarie and Jacques’s visit a success, enjoyed them all and are hopeful that they all took away a great experience and a taste of our Southern (Texas) hospitality.
