25/10/2026
One of the common questions we get with our sheep is "what happens to all the wool"?
Our sheep shed roughly 1kg of wool annually - at our current stocking rate that's around 20kg per hectare.
Naturally shed wool isn’t waste — it’s keratin‑rich biomass that decomposes into slow‑release nutrients and stable carbon that strengthens soil. Shedding sheep drop wool as part of a natural cycle, and what looks like “lost wool” is actually a steady organic input recycled back into the soil.
Wool is mostly keratin, a protein containing nitrogen, sulfur, and amino acids that become available to plants as the fibre breaks down.
Soil microbes use enzymes to unlock keratin’s tough structure. As they digest the fibre, they release plant‑available nitrogen, trace minerals, and stable carbon that helps build soil organic matter.
Wool improves soil fertility, water‑holding capacity, and microbial activity, supporting healthier pastures.
Wool Nutrient Profile:
• Nitrogen (10% to 12%) - exceptionally high for an organic material. Released slowly as keratin degrades preventing the root burn common with fast acting synthetic fertilisers
• Potassium (2-4%) - a steady supply to assist with plant disease resistance and water retention
• Carbon (50%) - has a very low carbon to nitrogen ratio meaning it feeds soil bacteria efficiently without robbing the soil of existing nitrogen
• Sulphur (2-5%) - improves how efficiently plants utilise nitrogen
• Trace minerals – small amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, zinc, copper and selenium
