Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
terest in good fiber though. In 2004, a bale of the world's finest wool sold for $3,000 per kilo-
gram in Australia. The final price was $279,000 in Australian dollars for the bale, or about
$300,000 in U.S. dollars.
Shearing
In order to shear your sheep, use a 20-tooth mohair comb and sheep shears. Hold your sheep
on the ground, between your legs. Use firm, slow strokes with the electric clippers to remove
swaths of the sheep's wool down to the skin. You can store the cut fleece in a paper bag. Keep
your sheep dry during the 24 hours before shearing. Shear the youngest sheep first and the
oldest ones last. This way you can keep the finer fleece from mixing with the coarser fleece.
Keep the shearing area clean and sweep it between cutting different colors of sheep. It is all
right to cut slowly. Treat the animals well. Try to avoid having to make second cuts as second
cuts mean shorter fleece that is less valuable. Remove stained or soiled areas from the wool
before storing it.
Wash the wool several times with detergent before spinning it. Rinse completely several
times. Dry the hair on towels or allow a fan to blow on it when it is hanging on a towel rack.
About wool
Wool is the textile fiber that comes from sheep. It is crimped and elastic, and it grows in
clumps or clusters called staples. With its natural crimp, wool fabrics have more bulk than
other textiles, which allows them to retain more heat. Wool also provides insulation that keeps
heat out in hot conditions. The finer the wool, the more crimps it will have. Merino wool,
which is fine, may have up to 100 crimps per inch.
Wool easily absorbs moisture, which makes it hygroscopic. The wool fibers are hollow, and
they can absorb up to one-third of their weight in moisture. Wool also absorbs sound. Most
wool is naturally a creamy white color, but it may vary depending on the color of the sheep.
Wool burns at a higher temperature than cotton and some other fabrics. It is nearly self-extin-
guishing. It has many qualities that make it excellent for carpets and is often used by firefight-
ers, soldiers, and others who may be in situations where they face fires. Wool is resistant to
static electricity, and it is considered hypoallergenic.
Selling wool
