Sheep Industry News March 2022

Wool Could Play Key Role In Cli m ate Change Battle

HEATHER PEARCE & KYLE PARTAIN Wool Production Programs Manager & Sheep Industry News Editor T alk of climate change and how the American sheep industry can be part of the solution was apparent throughout the ASI Annual Convention. Even the Wool Council embraced the concept as it heard reports on carbon capture from Fibershed's Rebecca Burgess and California producer Ryan Mahoney. Did you know that natural fibers such as wool can be, "grown and raised in ways that maximize the drawdown of carbon from the atmosphere to help restore ecosystem health and stabilize our climate?" The folks at Fibershed are acutely familiar with the concept and while drought and climate change are certainly occurring, "ag is a huge part of the solution," according to Burgess. Wool is a natural performance fiber created by the carbon cycle, from solar energy through photosynthesis, sheep grazing and the production of protein fibers that are shorn seasonally. In the Northern California Fibershed, foggy coastal regions are home to sheep with coarse wool that is well suited for bedding and durable products. Inland – in drier climates and high desert regions – fine wool is soft, yet strong and creates beautiful knitwear and woven fabrics. Climate Beneficial Wool is verified by Fibershed and sourced from land stewards who are enhancing carbon drawdown through agricul tural practices that regenerate soil and ecosystem health. For five years, Fibershed has been piloting American-based sup ply chains that directly connect brands and designers to farmers and ranchers who raise natural fiber with land stewardship practices that regenerate soil carbon. Mahoney's Emigh Livestock has been working with Fibershed on practices and processes on the ranch and how they affect carbon num bers. "This truly changes the way you look at farm health," said Mahoney, who has taken a closer look at every aspect of the family operation since taking over from his grandfather. "This quantifies your practices and helps tell the story about lamb and wool." Carbon farm practices can be measured – an aspect of decision making that Mahoney has applied to many of his changes on the ranch – can mitigate erosion and can help build soil health. The council also heard updates on the American Wool Assurance Program as it moves into the next phase of implementation: offering second-party evaluations that will allow producers to reach Level II certification. Seventeen evaluators are now trained and ready to assist producers looking to move from Level I to Level II certification. Much like Fibershed's efforts in carbon capture, the AWA program

Wool Excellence Award: Keith Padgett

looks to create a traceability program that allows wool growers to as sure consumers wool was produced with the upmost care. Taking part in the program also provides growers with another avenue for sharing their story with consumers. While wool prices – specifically fine wool prices – have soared in the past year, the council also heard that pelt prices are on the rebound, as well. Pelt credits have climbed from record lows in the past three years and are now as much as $5 to $6 per pelt in some cases. As with any commodity, those price increases have been offset somewhat by increased freight, supply chain and labor costs. But overall, demand has been steady and prices have increased. To help relay current wool prices, Kayley Ellis from the U.S. Depart ment of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service described poten tially impactful updates in AMS reporting. The service is transitioning to a new reporting system, making it a good time to update the reports that are generated. Of particular interest amongst the audience, AMS could report a national weighted average price for each micron – in addition to the regional price reports – giving the potential for more prices to be reported. On the military front, the Reece-branded wool socks continue to garner interest. After trials, similar Superwash socks are now issued to Marine Corps special ops units and a wear test is underway. This could lead to orders of 100,000 pairs per year, with the possibility that other divisions of the military might follow suit. In recent years, only about 30 to 40 percent of American wool has been used domestically, with the United States military accounting for 10 to 20 percent of domestic supply.

16 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org