Getting the most out of every ounce of wool is imperative to a farmer’s livelihood, which is being seen through the growing uses of wool whether that be in clothing, carpets or bricks.

Creativity

American Albert Wilde farms around 2,600 sheep with his brothers and a few years ago came up with a highly innovative way of adding value to the family’s sheep operation.

Wool sheared from a sheep’s belly and back end areas is often discoloured, thin and generally not considered valuable.

Many farmers get rid of this unwanted wool, however Wilde started to think how it could be used in another form. Knowing that the wool protected sheep in the same way, his idea was to use it to create fertilizer for growers.

Value

Wool has an extremely high nutritional value and a fertilizer nutrient value of 9-1-2 NPK or 9 parts of nitrogen (N), to one part phosphorus (P), to two parts potassium (K); wool also contains calcium, magnesium, iron, sulphur and other micronutrients.

Speaking to the Prairie Star newspaper, Wilde said:  “We are dedicated to adding value to not only our family ranch, but the farms and ranches of all the family farmers and ranchers around here. After more research and testing, we found that wool is extremely high in nitrogen and takes months to break down.”

The family’s first experiment didn’t go to plan so after further thought they put the wool into pellets, which turned out to be a success. The family now make the pellets at their farm which look like a large block of soil with wool running through it. The pellets are added to regular soil.

“We don’t have to wash the belly wool and tags before making them into pellets. We just run the wool tags through the pellet mill,” he said.

“Wool naturally absorbs water – about 20 times its weight – and as the wool soaks in water, it fluffs up and expands. This creates more porosity or oxygen in the soil, and gives the roots space to grow bigger and stronger.”

Business

Like Standard Wool, the Wilde family have adapted to the industry and found innovative new ways to add value and income streams.

Wilde tested his product further at the University of Florida and Utah State University and his business has grown so much that he’s struggling to keep up with demand. His wool pellets are being used to help producers in the region raise onions, potatoes, dry beans, tomatoes and corn, along with the traditional wheat and barley.

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