Overview
The 2007 shorn wool production in the United States was approximately 35 million pounds of greasy wool, down 4 percent from 2006. U.S. wool output, in general, is about half the amount compared to 10 years ago. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 4.7 million head, down 3 percent from 2006. The top states for wool production are Texas, Wyoming and California.
The average price paid for wool in 2007 was 88 cents per pound, with a total value of $30.3 million, up 23 percent from $24.5 million in 2006.
While lamb meat production has grown during the past 20 years, U.S. wool production per animal has remained fairly constant. The average wool output per animal is 7.3 pounds over multiple shearings. March 2008 . . . Lamb Wool
- Australian Wool Innovation Limited - This company, owned by wool producers, initiates research and development and provides market trade.
- British Wool Marketing Board - This board operates a central marketing system for domestic fleece wool.
- Economic Impact of the Elimination of the Wool Act, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2000 - This study reviews the loss of National Wool Act programs and changes in the value and production of sheep, lamb, wool and mohair at the national level and for two counties in Texas.
- Handling and Marketing of Wool, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, 1990 - This fact sheet explains ways to improve the quality and value of wool produced.
- Marketing Could Boost the U.S. Sheep Industry, Amber Waves, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2004 - This online article gives a brief overview of the U.S. sheep industry.
- Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration - The site contains trade data and agreements.
- Organic Wool Fact Sheet, Organic Trade Association.
- Sheep, Briefing Room, Economic Research Service, USDA.
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Wool Contacts, American Sheep Industry Association - Select Wool Contacts listed under Industry Affiliates. Contacts are listed for wool buyers, pools, warehouses and shearers.
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Wools of New Zealand, New Zealand Wool Board - A brand used to market wool products worldwide.
- Yocom-McColl Testing Laboratories, Denver, Colorado - An independent commercial wool testing lab.
- Grades and Length of Wool, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension - This Extension publication outlines wool classification, grading and processing methods. Also see the glossary of wool terms.
- Textile, Wool, Fur and Apparel Matters, Federal Trade Commission - This site provides links to the rules and statues governing wool labeling.
- Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts, Federal Trade Commission - This online document, produced in cooperation with the American Apparel Manufacturers Association, outlines federal labeling requirements for wool products.
- USDA Standards for Grades of Wool, 1968.
- Wool Fact Sheets, American Sheep Industry Association - Wool topics offered at this site include history, processing, wool characteristics, fabrics and care.
- Montana Farm Flock Sheep Production Handbook (or pdf), Montana State University - This handbook provides chapters on sheep selection, breeding, reproduction, nutrition and flock management. It discusses breed selection as it relates to wool.
- Sustainable Sheep Production, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) - This site provides information related to sustainable sheep production. The topics include breed selection, grazing, pasture lambing, alternative health management and innovative marketing ideas for wool and lamb products.
Links checked February 2008.