Woolproducing

Woolproducing refers to the activities involved in raising animals for the production of wool, primarily sheep but also other fiber-bearing species such as goats and alpacas. The process includes selecting breeding stock to improve fleece yield and fiber quality, day-to-day flock management, nutrition and health care, and annual shearing to harvest the fleece. Ongoing management also covers recording lineage, monitoring animal welfare, and marketing the fleece. The term encompasses both agricultural practices and the downstream processing of wool into textile fibers.

After shearing, fleece is scoured to remove grease, sorted by fiber diameter and quality, and spun into yarn or processed into top for fabric production. Fiber properties such as fineness, crimp, strength, and elasticity determine end uses; fine wools like Merino are common in apparel, while medium and coarse wools serve outerwear, carpets, and insulation. Other wool-producing species yield cashmere, mohair, or similar fibers with distinct markets.

Geographically, the largest producers are Australia, China, and the United States, with significant outputs in New Zealand and parts of Europe. The wool sector faces competition from synthetic fibers and concerns about animal welfare and environmental impact. Sustainability efforts include optimizing grazing, improving fleece yield per animal, reducing chemical use in scouring, and promoting responsible marketing and traceability.