Interested in natural colored sheep and wool? Then you've come to the right place! The Natural Colored Wool Growers Association invites you to become an active member in our ever-growing community of sheep breeders.
The purpose of NCWGA is to assist members in the improvement, promotion, and development of colored sheep, colored wool, and the many uses of these products. The group has been formed in order to support the common goals of all.
Incorporated in 1977 as a non-profit organization, the association has made great strides. Colored sheep are recognized and accepted by the American Sheep Industry. Standards adopted for colored sheep and fleeces have been accepted by fairs and expositions. A sheep registration program has been established to improve sheep and fleece quality.
The History of Natural Colored Sheep
In the beginning, the choice of breeding animals was limited. From rather meager beginnings the quality of the animals has been continually improved by careful management and selective breeding. Many colored sheep are now competitive with their white counterparts. Almost every breed of sheep is now represented in natural colors ranging from black to gray to silver to brown to beige to red and blonde.
Colored Wool Today
The growth and popularity of hand spinning, weaving, felting, and other wool crafts have resulted in a demand for natural colored wool. Fleece value is determined by the color and quality of the fleece. Modern handcrafters are more knowledgeable and more discriminating, demanding higher quality fleeces than those required by the textile industry. Different uses and different personal preferences mean that there is a demand for all grades of high quality wools. Breeders strive for uniformity of grade within a fleece. The length of the fiber must be adequate for the grade, at least two inches in length for fine wools and a minimum of seven inches in a coarser grade in a twelve month fleece. The wool fibers must be structurally sound and free from damage caused by conditions such as poor nutrition and weathering. Fleeces with permanent stains and vegetable contamination are undesirable to hand spinners. Finally, to receive the maximum return, good quality fleeces must be properly harvested.