The Wool Wire | January 11, 2023

News snippets from the wool world

Hello and happy January, wool friends!

This week I bring you all sorts of wooly adventures, from South Dakota to Germany, Utah to the Kyrgyz Republic. We have yarns and blankets, expanded sizes, a legendary Australian wool operation that could be yours for a cool $30 million, and finally, a new trend in knitwear: suits.

We kick things off in Germany with a look at how one person can make a very big difference.

Making the Worthless Worthwhile Again

We've heard it before, an all-too-familiar story about declining wool prices, global competition, and local farmers forced to burn their wool for lack of a market. But here's a story of people working to create a new market for German wool so that it survives the harsh economic headwinds of fast fashion. Consumers hold the key.

Using Germany’s nearly worthless wool – DW – 12/30/2020

Keeping sheep for wool in Germany is hardly worth it anymore since foreign competition has eaten away at profits. But one tailor is looking to change that and is making clothes out of local wool.

dw.com

All American Sheep day on January 30, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension, in conjunction with the Black Hills Stock Show and sheep industry partners, is hosting a "total sheep industry experience" at the end of this month. The event takes place in Rapid City, SD, and includes the National Sheep Shearing Championships, Mutton Bustin', sheep dog trials, a wool judging contest.

South Dakota tells its wool story

Speaking of South Dakota, check out the SDSU Signature Wool Project and Signature SD Yarn. Everything is made from 100% South Dakota-grown wool, with proceeds going to provide scholarship support to students in Animal Science and Apparel Merchandising.

According to Kelly Froehlich, assistant professor and South Dakota State University Extension small ruminant production specialist, "The lamb industry in South Dakota is actually really strong, and most people don’t realize it because most people think of cattle,” she said. “But South Dakota ranks No. 6 in the nation for lamb and wool production."

Smartwool Inches Toward Greater Size Inclusion

Here's some excellent news for proponents of inclusive sizing: Smartwool is adding plus sizes up to 3X (and in some cases, 4X) for its best-selling line of women's thermal base layers. There are more sizes to go, but this is a huge first step.

Cold-Weather Activities Just Got More Accessible for Plus-Size Adventurers

Denver-based Smartwool now offers its best-selling line of women’s thermal merino base layers up to size 3X.

5280Courtney Holden

Australian Wool Innovations

One of Australia's most legendary luxury Merino wool producers is Avington Merino, run by first-generation farmers Noel and Lindsay Henderson.

Avington was the first wool-growing property in Australia to be certified under the Responsible Wool Standard. They've also implemented an impressive traceability program and committed to planting 8,000 native trees every year. They also keep 15% of their land for native flora and fauna habitats. Oh, in his spare time, Noel Henderson is also the director of Australian Wool Innovation.

All of which makes what I'm about to tell you even more remarkable: Avington Merino is for sale. For a mere $30 million, you could take over the entire enterprise.

Speaking of Australian Wool Innovation, I have two words for you: knitted suits.

Knitted Suits – The Future Is Here

Australian Wool Innovation’s marketing arm The Woolmark Company and fashion giant BOSS are taking the suit in a brand-new direction – fully knitted.

awi-wool-fe

Utah State University offers a shearing school

If you act quickly, you might still be able to register for this three-day shearing school that takes place in Wellsville, Utah, January 19-21.

This three-day, hands-on course is ideal for beginners as well as advanced shearers. It is designed to teach shearing while maintaining high quality wool clip and minimizing stress to you and the sheep. You will also learn about shearing equipment, proper shearing clothing and exercises, equipment care and sharpening combs and cutters.

If the Utah school doesn't work for you, take a look at the latest list from the American Sheep Industry Association of upcoming shearing schools.

The Maryland Sheep Shearing School will be Feb. 3-4, 2023, at Dale Lehman’s Farm in Fairplay, Md. Visit marylandsheepbreeders.org/activities/maryland-shearing-school/ for more information.
The Indiana Shearing School is set for Feb. 18, 2023, at the Purdue University Animal Sciences Center. Visit indianasheep.com for more information.
Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., will host a shearing school on March 1-2, 2023. Contact Extension Associate Amy Bax at BaxA2@LincolnU.edu to register.
The Moffat County Sheep Shearing School in Craig, Colo., is set for March 31-April 2, 2023. Email Megan Stetson at stetson@colostate.edu for more information.
The Washington State Shearing School will be April 3-7 (beginners) and April 8 (advanced) at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake, Wash. wsu.edu/grant/livestockanimal-science/washington-state-shearing-school/.
The Tennessee Sheep Producers Association Sheep Shearing School is scheduled for April 7-8, 2023, at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Contact Mark Powell at 615-519-7796 or shepherdboy1@yahoo.com for more information.
Shepherd’s Cross in Claremore, Okla., will host a shearing school on April 13-15, 2023. Visit shepherdscross.com to register.

And finally, I leave you with this gorgeous, inspiring, insightful piece about how ancient felting techniques are being revived in the Kyrgyz Republic. Happy travels!

Of Sheep and Wool: How Modern Artisans Revived the Kyrgyz Art of Felting

In Bishkek, felt artisans are utilizing ancient, nomadic techniques once almost lost under Soviet rule.

AFAR MediaAlexandra Marvar

Thank you, as always, for your readership and your support.

Yours in wool,

Clara