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Wool Pool

What is a Wool Pool?

This year, KSWPA is pooling wool to be sold to Mid States Wool Growers.

Producers bring their wool in wool sacks, we label the bags, and send them to the buyer. Mid States will then grade the wool and pay on a per pound basis. Prices will be determined the day of grading.  

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2022 Wool Pool Entry Form

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wool

2023 Date and Location: TBD

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To learn more about the Wool Pool, check out the FAQs below. 

To learn more about wool pools and wool markets, check out these HoofPrint Articles:

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Winter 2016- Roots of Pooling

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Winter 2018- Today's Wool is not your Grandma's Sweater

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Spring 2018- The 2018 Wool Season Begins

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Winter 2019- Consider Your Wool Pool

Wool Pool FAQs

Who can sell at the wool pool?

Anyone who can bring wool to the pool can participate. The Wool Pool is a service offered to members of our associations, therefore if you are not a current Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers member, you will be asked to join prior to selling in the Pool.

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What are the receiving times?

Receiving times will be from 9am-1pm (EST). You are asked to stay and help unload your wool. YOu will need to provide your information using this form, which you can bring with you or complete at the pool.

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Do the prices for the wool change each year?

Yes, the prices of wool can change daily. Therefore, prices for the wool will not be determined until Mid States grades the wool in Ohio at their facility. 

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What is the difference between the different wool grades?

The grading of the wool is very simple.  Black face wool comes from black/dark face breeds (Hampshire, Suffolk, Shropshire, Southdown, etc,  and crosses of these breeds.  White face wool comes from white face breeds (Dorset, Corriedale, Columbia, Cheviot, etc and crosses of white face breeds)  Black wool is any wool that is not pure white or has any black fibers in it.  Burry wool is contaminated with cockleburrs.  Short wool would include any of your solid white lamb fleeces or any short staple wool.  Lamb wool from dark face breeds will be graded as black wool, not short. 

 

Who is the buyer of the wool?

Mid States Wool Growers

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Is there anything in my wool that could make it not sell at the wool pool?

Do not bring wool that is contaminated with hair.  Hair will not be accepted.  Wool bags that contain hair and wool together will be rejected.   It is important to maintain the integrity of the pool.  If we sell wool bales that are contaminated with hair, the buyers will not bid on the wool in future years.

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Can the wool be wet?

Do not bring wet wool to the pool.  If your wool does get wet, it can easily and quickly be dried if it is taken out of the bag and left in the sun and wind to dry for a few hours.

 

Can wool with sheep marking paint be sold at the pool?

Yes, the paint can be scoured out of the wool.

 

Can we sell lamb wool?

Lamb wool is acceptable. However, make sure you do not put black hairs and/or wool in with white wool. Lamb wool from black face breeds will receive the black wool grade.

 

Does the fleece from each sheep have to be in one piece like it was shorn by a professional?

The wool is not sold by individual fleece.  Therefore, it does not matter if you shear on a stand and the fleece is shorn into pieces.   All of the wool is baled once it is weighed and graded.  The wool is easier to handle when loading it into the balers if it is in one piece.

 

What should I bring my wool in?

It is preferred that wool be brought to the pool in burlap or plastic wool bags.  Do not bring wool in plastic/poly feed bags or tied with plastic twine. You can order bags from Mid States Wool. We estimate that for 35 head, you will need 2 bags.

 

I have a commercial herd with some black faced sheep. Can I mix my wool with “black faced” wool?

Keep white-faced wool separated from “black faced” wool.  Do not “hide” black wool in lamb or burry wool bags.  Black wool contamination will cause the entire bag to be classified as black wool

 

How long do I need to volunteer when I bring my wool to the pool?

To efficiently manage the pool and get the wool baled, consignors are asked to have the "volunteer" spirit and help unload your wool.   Staying and working for 30 minutes will greatly help the labor load. 

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