Comments on: ‘Waste Wool’ is a Burden for Farmers. What if it Could be a Solution Instead?

By: ECOWOOL Canada

ECOWOOL Canada — Wed, 08 May 2024 22:58:36 +0000

Women taking the lead in pelleting and the wool industry in general is very encouraging. I’m happy to say that we initiated the first academic greenhouse trials using wool pellets in North America. Additionally,in 2024 we are doing field trials using wool pellets in a hayfield and grazed pasture setting. We have at least one market gardener doing field trials this year. Our preliminary Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of wool pellets, when grown, processed, and used locally, sequesters more carbon in the soil than without, even when raising the sheep and transportation of wool is accounted for.
Wool is such an amazing and underutilized resource. Hats off to all the amazing people making unwanted wool into a valuable and circular product.

By: Jerilea

Jerilea — Mon, 06 May 2024 01:39:11 +0000

I like to put “waste wool” into the bottom of flower pots. It helps to grow the plants, stop dirt and water from running out and it breaks down by the end of the season. A friend thickly lines raised garden beds with “waste wool” and wraps them in chicken wire (the chicken wire is the edge of the garden bed, no wood). He has the best squash and zucchinis. He also insulated his entire barn with this wool.

By: Margo

Margo — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:28:23 +0000

In reply to Andy Vittoe. Andy; please tell me how to connect with Missouri Sheep Producers I am in south central Missouri & would love to put my ‘waste’ wool to good use. Thanks in advance

By: Andy Vittoe

Andy Vittoe — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:34:01 +0000

In reply to Loretta. Wool pellets were discussed at a Missouri sheep producers meeting. It is waste wool, belly, legs ,soiled, and coarse wool breeds that currently have no market.

By: Name

Name — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:48:32 +0000

In reply to JoAnna Cavallaro. Not all wool is of the quality that humans like to wear (ie, it can be very itchy). Sheep are bred for *aaaalllll* kinds of reasons (this one can eat the limited vegetation of this specific set of islands, this one can deal with this place's cold winters, that one grows great meat, this one has loooong soft fibres for its wool, etc). Plenty of sheep are grown primarily for meat, but still need shearing each year and then what's one to do with the pile of wool that's too itchy for even those who live a rustic sweater? Well, this is one option! And a very exciting one!

By: Loretta

Loretta — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:40:57 +0000

So what happened to Leanne’s wool for yarn business? Why did she need to turn it into something else if it was selling out? Did she and the farmers who had the sheep actually make money from that business? Although it is good that wool would not go to waste with the soil amendments, I think it is somewhat sad if we won’t be able to get wool yarn at all. It is already difficult at times, especially for local wool yarn. Hopefully this pellet process uses only truly waste wool.

By: Selene Anderson

Selene Anderson — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:42:56 +0000

In reply to JoAnna Cavallaro. I agree! Wool is a much better choice than plastic! So many uses we are not utilizing to the max.

By: Selene Anderson

Selene Anderson — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:40:09 +0000

In reply to JoAnna Cavallaro. I value my wool blankets passed down from my grandmother. They are so nice & warm and when neatly folded, they take up much less space in the linen closet than the bulkier synthetic fiber blankets.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 20:03:10 +0000

It’s great to read articles show wool uses but as a shepherd, one problem is making connections for places buying or wanting excess wool. My area has no Fibershed connections to use fleeces. Or, there’s a big outlay of money to get wool to someone who will use it.

By: JoAnna Cavallaro

JoAnna Cavallaro — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 17:33:39 +0000

In reply to Nilgun Tuna. Great idea! Using wool instead of plastic.