just wondering if anyone raises sheep for wool? what breed would be best for a hot climate like se texas? are there any special problems with these animals? i know about predator control, but what about regular everyday care? i need some help before i get into this so any and all comments are appreciated.
I raise sheep for meat and not wool for a couple of reasons:
1. Since I have a couple of briar bushes on the proerty, the sheep are attracted to them and the fleece is now full of briars, stickers and other such foriegn matter.
2. The price we can get for wool here is so low that unless you have a whole lot of it, it doesn't pay. For example, I thnk last year they were paying $.50 per pound. You had to have it in a special wool sack which costs a couple of dollars. So, for each bag of wool you can fill, you would amke something like $5-$8 net.
Because I only have a few head right now, I could not even break even on the cost, plus the fact that the fleeces were worthless with all the briars, we just sent it to the dump. [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
Chances are you would have to raise a breed of sheep that's wool is desirable to the craft market. This means it must be super clean. Another option is meat for ethnic groups.
Look around and see how many sheep farms there are and it may be an indication of what you should do.
If indeed you can find a local spinner or if you want to attempt it yourself, knitted goods can fetch a very good price, at least around here. A small farm nearby raises Kashmir goats and they make sweaters, socks, hats, and mittens right on site. To give you an idea, the sweaters go for around $300CDN.
the idea for raising sheep for wool came from my wife. she wanted to know the problems involved and that's why i posted. she likes to make sweaters and afghans and other things from wool yarn. i think this would be way too involved for a hobby project. thanks for all the input.
Haybine,
Let me restate my original reply. You could certainly raise some sheep for wool (and meat and fun, etc) for your personal use. The folks we got our ewes from do that. They take the best of their fleece and do whatever needs doing to make it spinnable and throw the rest away. For your own use I think this would be fun and worthwhile. I was just remarking that it doesn't make sense for profit unless you are a large operation with VERY clean land.
Frank
PS: The sheep and goat meat market is very good right now. I sell all I can get.
I am in australia and have been around both meat and wool sheep and what we call x breeds most of my life. Wool prices around the world have tripled in the last 12mths. Whether you want to sell wool or spin it for yourself merino is the ony way to go. The best woolen cloths to wear are from the finest wool about 20 micron and less. There probably is some studs in your country and this would be your best approach. If you just want some wool for yourself look at buying just half a doz wethers (castrated ram). you will need someone to shear them or if you wanted you could buy some electric shears and learn to do them yourself. If you want any advice i would be glad to help i could email you lots of info if you really want it.
made in Korea Vin
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