03/07/2011
As the value of sheep fleeces hit a 25-year high, British wool once again becomes profitable. Sarah Swadling joins a shearing gang to shear for the Chinese carpet market.
The price of British wool is at a 25 year high making shearing a sheep profitable for the first time in years. 70% of that wool gets exported, mainly to China, for use in carpets and rugs. A sheep's fleece is now being sold to the Wool Marketing Board at around Β£2.50 each - double what it was last year.
Shearing day is the most frenetic time on a sheep farm. Sarah Swadling joins in at Lower Hunescote Farm in Warwickshire, and learns how to shear a sheep. Three local farmers are doing the shearing - each year they gather the fleeces of around 10,000 ewes.
Presented by Sarah Swadling. Produced by Emma Weatherill.
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- Sun 3 Jul 2011 06:35Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4