'A miracle fibre': Shearing season kicks off local wool harvest
Thousands of sheep across Ontario are being prepped for their annual haircut, as spring marks the unofficial start of shearing season.
On Friday, Chassagne Farm in Puslinch collected around 360 pounds of wool from about 90 sheep. The farm was also hosting Campaign for Wool in Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and promotion of the wool industry.
“Wool is a miracle fibre. It’s natural, renewable, and biodegradable,” explained Matthew Rowe, the CEO for Campaign for Wool in Canada. “You can use it to make everything from clothing, to carpets, to upholstery.”
The annual Shearing Day event brought the organization’s partners from the wool industry to Puslinch for an inside look at this year’s harvest.
“It’s an art to take off the fleece in one whole pelt,” Chassagne Farm owner Carole Precious told CTV News.
Spectators watched the shearing process and took part in cleaning and collecting the wool.
“It’s incredibly important to see what goes into making these products from start to finish,” added Paulina Marcinkowski, a supporter of Campaign for Wool in Canada.
The non-profit said the event offers a unique perspective on how some of their favourite products are made.
“I think most people don’t really know where their clothes come from so this is a chance to come right to the source,” Rowe said.
According to Campaign for Wool, Canada produces three million pounds of wool per year, with southern Ontario housing more sheep than any other part of the country. Despite the large supply, the group said one of its biggest challenges is keeping the wool here in Canada.
“We were only keeping about 10 per cent of our clip in the country, and about 90 per cent was being sold off on commodities markets,” Rowe explained. “What we want to do is deliver more value to the farmer and have more of that wool stay here as 100 per cent Canadian wool product.”
Precious said the sheep at Chassagne Farm supply around four pounds of wool and the best fleeces will be made available to local spinners looking to turn the wool into yarn.
“It’s just getting a haircut. They just sort of sit there,” Rowe said. “It’s about health and safety too. It’s all part of keeping the sheep safe and happy and healthy.”
The sheep at Chassagne Farm won’t be sheared again until next spring.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, placing the outcome of the history-making case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
Edmonton Oilers set to make lineup changes for Game 4 of Western Conference final
The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up. Down 2-1 in the NHL's Western Conference final to the Dallas Stars, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed there would be lineup changes for tonight's Game 4.