Selecting and Raising Sheep for Wool

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Raising sheep for wool.
Raising sheep for wool.
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Fine crimp and staple length of wool before shearing.
Fine crimp and staple length of wool before shearing.
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Chart: wool grades.
Chart: wool grades.
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Selecting and raising sheep for wool.
Selecting and raising sheep for wool.
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A small barn with built-in feeders and walls provides sheep protection.
A small barn with built-in feeders and walls provides sheep protection.
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Sheepcovers help to keep wool clean.
Sheepcovers help to keep wool clean.
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Border collie fetches ewes from the barn on shearing day.
Border collie fetches ewes from the barn on shearing day.
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Attached to the right clipper head, this 13 tooth, flared comb is the ideal tool for shearing fine wool.
Attached to the right clipper head, this 13 tooth, flared comb is the ideal tool for shearing fine wool.
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Beamer removes another ewe's heavy winter coat.
Beamer removes another ewe's heavy winter coat.
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Sarah Beamer, a professional shearer, makes several smooth body length cuts before the fleece starts to roll off the ewe in a single piece.
Sarah Beamer, a professional shearer, makes several smooth body length cuts before the fleece starts to roll off the ewe in a single piece.
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Barbara Gentry, shepherd and spinner, weaves a wool rug on a drugget, or barn loom.
Barbara Gentry, shepherd and spinner, weaves a wool rug on a drugget, or barn loom.
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Selecting and raising sheep for wool.
Selecting and raising sheep for wool.

Learn the country skills you need to know when raising sheep for wool. 

It was Mary Child’s first visit to West Virginia from Philadelphia — a short journey some 20 years ago to see a friend — and she was stunned. There they stood, lined up against a fence, shimmering in pastel light: a bunch of lambs. It was love at first sight. 

“I was fascinated, drawn to them,” she recalls.

  • Published on Aug 1, 2000
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