WOOL vs HAIR

Young rams shedding in early spring

Sheep have been dual-purpose animals, producing both meat and wool, almost as long as they have been domesticated. In recent years, however, several developments have made some producers question the profitability of wool production. 
• Synthetic fabrics have taken a portion of the market and prices paid for many classes of wool have dropped.
 
• Some climates are not suited for quality wool production.
 
• Changing requirements in preparing wool for market has resulted in added expense, equipment and labor.
 
• Securing shearers can be a problem and may be delayed by weather.
 
• In many areas the cost of shearing has gone up, especially for small flocks.
 
• Shearing requires labor and facilities for gathering and penning prior to shearing.
 
• Wool can cause management and health problems, especially in pasture lambing.
 
• Sheep can be stressed by gathering, holding off feed and by exposure to inclement weather after shearing.
 
• Soiled wool can be a source of contamination in slaughter plants.
 
• When selecting sheep for wool quality, progress in other valuable traits may decrease.

Unfortunately in many cases the wool check does not even cover the cost of shearing and preparation of the wool clip. Besides shearing, the ewes may also have to be tagged and the lambs shorn or tagged before being put on feed or marketed, adding even more labor and expense. 

For these reasons it has been predicted that the US sheep population of the future will consist of non-shearing, easy care meat sheep and fine wooled sheep that can produce a valuable wool clip.  

Dorpers and White Dorpers vary in covering ranging from wool to completely hair. Both extremes are considered undesirable under the breed standards and a short, loose and light combination of wool and hair is the ideal. This type sheds well and never needs shearing to look neat and clean. A covering across the top of the back helps protect against sunburn. Kemp or hair on the underline and rear quarters helps keep the sheep clean and free of many weed seeds. From a practical standpoint an acceptable coat would never require shearing but would provide protection from the elements. Most Dorpers grow a thicker coat in winter and shed in the spring.  

A flock of wooled sheep can be converted to non-shearing in two to three generations if hair type rams or rams with excellent shedding qualities are used.