Sheep shearing wool, cashmere, alpaca, camel and yak

SHEARING OF WOOL SHEEP

From time to time films, images or articles appear showing shearing in extremely harsh conditions for animals, and it is also a controversial issue for those who work in this field and are increasingly attentive to the ecological and ethical production of yarns. But is shearing really done this way?

Let's try to clarify a little more:

for the breeder wool sheep are a means of production and an asset , for this reason the first job of the breeder is to safeguard his own capital so that it can produce better and more. For a farmer, taking good care of his flock is a necessity: a sheep killed or injured during shearing is one sheep less, an economic loss.

A shearer who hurts the animal while shearing harms both the product and the animal . The sheep that is killed at the time of shearing is damage because the farmer loses an animal, but also because he loses the wool which is stained with blood and cannot be sold (or in any case produces a lower income). This means that the vast majority of shearers have to do their job with care and skill leaving animals intact and happy!!

It should also be noted that the sheep needs shearing for its well-being . The sheep do not moult, i.e. they never lose their winter fleece. This means that the unshorn sheep arrive in the summer having to survive the heat by carrying on their shoulders the fleece that was formed to withstand the winter temperatures.

An unshorn sheep is therefore doomed to a probable death from heatstroke. Furthermore , shearing also serves to eliminate parasites which, in addition to causing a strong nuisance to the animal, can transmit diseases to it.

In the context of responsible shearing, it may then happen that the animals suffer some accidental or occasional scratches or cuts, but these are certainly not a common and habitual fact.

CASHMERE/CAMEL/ALPACA/YAK SHEARING

Cashmere goats, camels, alpacas and yaks as opposed to sheep are NOT SHEARED BUT COMBED

Cashmere goats have a rough and thick upper fleece, called giarre, and a soft and fluffy lower fleece, the duvet.

Cashmere wool is obtained by combing the lower pile.
Processing takes place in spring, when the coat moults, which becomes more "summery". In this period, by combing with a special hook comb, the most valuable part of the hair is collected and removed. This procedure is repeated several times; in this way a mixed duvet is obtained which will then be further selected to choose the best fibres.

After rigorous selection, the fibers are washed. They do not receive any dyeing treatment, they are only chosen and divided according to their original shade: therefore a totally natural product.

For the hair of the Camel, Alpaca and Yak the same procedure is followed, the animals are COMBED without causing any pain or death to the animal itself