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Looking For Some Spinning Wool?
If you're looking for spinning wool that's free of weeds, seeds, burrs, manure stains, tags or other debris, Beverly Quinn, of Janesville, Wis., may have just what you need. She raises Corriedales and Karakuls, and specializes in supplying top-quality fleece for spinners.
"My interest in sheep began when I was 4
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Looking For Some Spinning Wool? FARM HOME Clothes 7-3-31 If you're looking for spinning wool that's free of weeds, seeds, burrs, manure stains, tags or other debris, Beverly Quinn, of Janesville, Wis., may have just what you need. She raises Corriedales and Karakuls, and specializes in supplying top-quality fleece for spinners.
"My interest in sheep began when I was 4 years old. A neighbor gave me an orphan lamb which I raised on a bottle," Beverly recalls. "From then on, sheep were raised on my parents farm."
Today, Beverly's husband John works for a manufacturing company while she works with her father on his 150 acre farm. She owns about two dozen breeding ewes and two rams. "I raise both registered and purebred colored Corriedales," she notes. "The difference is that a colored Corriedale can't be registered because the American Corriedale Association considers colored wool an undesireable trait. Spinners, however, are eagerly searching for this colored Corriedale wool. It's a medium, fine grade wool with appealing length and softness. Beginning spinners prefer it because it's easy to handle. And more advanced spinners like it because of its versatility."
Beverly shears her sheep flock once a year, usually in December. Retail cost of the specially-handled spinners' wool she markets sells for $2 to $3.50 per lb. "These are premium prices for a premium product. A lot of effort goes into keeping the sheep and their wool especially clean. These efforts include keeping pastures free of weeds and burrs. The buildings and pens have to be kept well bedded at all times to prevent their wool from becoming stained from manure. I also use special feeding equipment and rations to keep the sheep strong and healthy. An illness or infection, or lack of proper nutrition, can make a fleece weak and undesirable for spinning," Beverly points out.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Beverly Quinn, Rt. 4, Janesville, Wis. 53545
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