SEBASTIANA Operational Group: Wool selection and classification to improve the competitiveness of small sheep farms

1. Development and consolidation of a wool quality improvement plan through objective analysis procedures and highly heritable phenotypic selection (wool fiber diameter).

   Main results:

• Training livestock farmers in classification tasks prior to shearing.
• Implementation of an objective wool quality analysis procedure.
• Identification of wool-enhancing animals and monitoring of offspring.
• Verification of nutritional and animal-based factors or management that influence wool quality.

Practical recommendations: Given the current situation in the sector, wool quality improvement at the farm level is contemplated through objective phenotypic analysis and selection procedures that are highly heritable and of great interest to the textile industry (e.g., wool fiber diameter). This approach does not require genotypic analysis, which would make the process excessively expensive and unviable. The approach also maintains compatibility with the meat traits currently considered in breeding processes. Thus, it is considered that, in a methodologically simple manner, thanks to the use of advanced analysis technologies, it will be possible to obtain results in a relatively short period of time, with the farmer's active participation.

2. Start-up of a small wool processing industry.

   Main results:

• Definition of the wool washing and classification process.
• Design of a simple wool quality cataloging system for livestock farmers.

Practical recommendations: the project has focused on setting up a small wool processing industry. The aim is to offer a close and reliable service to local farmers, avoiding the need to collect unprofitable wool thanks to both the improvement in quality addressed in objective 1 of the project and the basic training of farmers in matters of shearing, classification and cataloging of wool, which puts them in a better negotiating position.

3. To increase the economic profitability of Castilian sheep farms through the direct sale of differentiated (pre-classified) wool and associated services to the small wool processing industry created.

Main results:

• Implementation of a digital platform for livestock farmers and clients as a meeting channel and potential wool marketing channel.
• Report on the economic, social, and environmental impact of the new comprehensive system from the perspective of livestock and rural sustainability. Practical recommendations: This has been proposed to facilitate the sale of wool and to practically quantify the economic, social, and environmental benefits that can result from the implementation of this new wool marketing model, which eliminates intermediaries and provides economic benefits through direct sales at the local level.

To this end, a new digital platform has been created for meeting and potentially disseminating knowledge between farmers and customers. This platform will strengthen and enhance the trade's visibility by publishing availability, origins, quality, and needs.