SHEEP farmers are being encouraged to place greater emphasis on wool quality as rising global demand for sustainable textiles opens up new opportunities for the industry.
Competition shearer and sheep farmer Matt Smith believes improving fleece quality could help farms increase revenue, while also delivering wider benefits for flock health.
Mr Smith, who farms Romney sheep, said he has spent years investing in genetics to improve the quality of his flock’s wool — although he expects it could take up to a decade before the full financial benefits are realised.
“We’ve been focusing on increasing micron density and overall fleece quality,” he said. “Better quality wool is in demand for higher-end clothing, and that brings better prices.”
new technology which allows farmers to measure wool quality on farm. A handheld device developed by Woven Optics can analyse fibre characteristics in real time, helping inform breeding decisions.
Mr Smith said the technology has already given him a clearer understanding of how genetics influence wool quality, although he acknowledged it represents a significant investment for farmers.
“It gives us immediate feedback on the wool we’re producing and helps guide breeding decisions,” he said. “That’s something we’ve never really had before.”
However, he believes the wider sheep sector has, in recent years, shifted its focus away from wool in favour of meat production — something he argues has had unintended consequences.
“There has been a move towards breeding for carcass traits, and wool quality has been overlooked,” he said. “In some cases that’s led to poorer fleece condition, which can increase issues like flystrike.”
Mr Smith warned that neglecting wool quality could also lead to increased reliance on chemical treatments and medicines, raising concerns about resistance over time.
He added: “Wool quality is closely linked to animal health. If we improve fleece quality, we can reduce some of those issues and potentially lower the need for treatments.”
With wool prices beginning to recover, he believes now is the time for farmers to reconsider its value as part of their breeding strategy.
“There is an opportunity to add value to every sheep, not just through meat but through wool as well,” he said. “That can benefit both farm income and flock health in the long term.”
