{"id":6195,"date":"2022-09-01T16:21:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T16:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=6195"},"modified":"2022-09-09T07:43:49","modified_gmt":"2022-09-09T07:43:49","slug":"how-much-wool-does-a-sheep-produce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-much-wool-does-a-sheep-produce\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Wool Does A Sheep Produce?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are thinking about raising sheep for wool, you are naturally wondering how much wool per sheep you can expect annually. While this may seem like a simple question, it really is not. The amount of wool an individual sheep is able to produce depends upon many factors, including, breed, size, gender, feeding, climate and more. In this article, we explore and discuss how much wool does a sheep produce<\/em> and other aspects of wool production. Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is It Profitable To Raise Sheep For Wool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The wool trade is extremely well established. In fact, wool was the very first product to be traded worldwide. Even so, with the passage of time its importance as a trading commodity has diminished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in the 20th century, wool production was the main reason for keeping sheep<\/a>. Today, meat production is more important. Most sheep farms make their money with the sale of lambs for meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When selling wool commercially, profit potential is limited; however, certain niche markets can generate sizable profits. One such niche market is hand spinners. Wool sold in this market must be of the finest quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are able to reliably produce very high quality fleeces, you may be able to get between $15-$20 a pound for your wool. This same wool might only fetch 75 cents a pound on the commercial market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to make more with your fine wool is to have it spun into yarn yourself. Then the yarn can be sold to cooperative ventures and crafters creating scarves and other hand-made products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine Wool Production Requires Great Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Producing fleeces for these purposes takes a bit more work than producing them for the commercial market. You must take great care with your flocks\u2019 handling, health care, feeding and housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shearing must also be done very carefully, and the fleeces must be skirted (wool mostly from the underside of the sheep removed from the fleece) so that the remaining fleece is clean and silky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure the very best quality fleece, you may want to keep your sheep covered to prevent their wool from becoming stained or sunburned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means a significant amount of work for you because covering makes fleece grow faster, so you\u2019ll need to change the covers frequently to allow room for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Wool Per Sheep Can You Expect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Not all sheep are wool producers, but about ninety percent of sheep breeds do produce wool. That production ranges from two pounds of wool a year to thirty pounds. It all depends on the type of sheep, its age, size, gender, genetics, care and feeding and the climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lambs and younger sheep will naturally produce less fleece than mature sheep. Large rams will naturally produce more wool than small ewes. Sheep whose parents were good wool producers are likely to produce more wool. Those that are well cared for will naturally produce more wool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the wool producing sheep, those that are termed \u201clong wool sheep\u201d<\/em> produce the most wool; however, it is coarse and generally used to produce household textiles. This type of wool will not fetch the highest price per pound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheep that are typically raised for meat production are usually of sorts that will produce wool termed \u201cmedium wool\u201d<\/em>. This quality of wool is used to produce common items such as blankets, socks and sweaters. It is also not a big money maker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have mentioned, \u201cfine wool\u201d<\/em> is the most profitable grade, especially when sold to hand spinners or spun into yarn for sale to crafters. This type of wool is very silky and can be used to produce high quality garments that can be worn close to the skin due to little or no itchiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding & Raising Sheep : Types Of Sheep Wool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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https:\/\/youtu.be\/uTpDutVmpK4<\/a>