A link in the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers’ network of wool collection depots is broken and needs replacement.
Henk Dorenbos operated the depot near Westlock, Alta., but another site and operator must be found now that he has sold his farm, where the depot was located.
Brian Shaw, the co-op’s branch manager in Lethbridge, said operating a depot involves receiving bagged wool from producers, making sure the source is accurately recorded and loading trucks sent to pick up wool for transport to Lethbridge.
The new depot doesn’t necessarily have to be in Westlock, but it must be somewhere in northwestern Alberta so that it can collect from producers in the Westlock, Mayerthorpe and Barrhead regions.
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“A lot of the wool that is delivered to these depots is by local producers, maybe within a 100 or 120 mile radius,” said Shaw.
“It’s a good opportunity for someone if they farm or if they have a small business. It’s not going to be a huge source of income, but it’s going to be an extra source of income.”
Operators of the co-op’s depot network are paid on the net weight of wool delivered to Lethbridge.
The new site must have adequate access for producers and highway trucks with semi-trailers and be maintained for year-round access, said Shaw.
The depot operator must also ensure proper care of the wool.
“We can’t have a producer bringing in good quality wool and then having it get wet or splashed with manure. They have to look after it.”
Depot situations vary across Western Canada, but most don’t require additional labour except when it comes time to load the transport trailer with bags of wool. Some make arrangements with Hutterite colonies or use the loading as a fundraiser for 4-H clubs or sports teams, Shaw said.
Alberta wool collection depots are located in Lethbridge, Three Hills, Clive, Tofield, Grimshaw and, until recently, Westlock.
In Saskatchewan, the co-op has depots in Macrorie, Fir Mountain, Lumsden, Livelong, Gull Lake, Saskatoon, Yorkton and Mortlach.
Manitoba depots are in Gimli, Cartright, Tansy, Sifton, Mineota, Brandon and Stonewall.
