HOW SHEEP ARE MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE

THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF RAISING SHEEP

Did you know that sheep are an environmental powerhouse? Raising sheep can positively impact the environment through sustainable fibre production and the management of healthy ecosystems.

Some sheep shed their wool naturally, but most need to be shorn—or have their wool trimmed—at least once a year to keep them healthy and allow them to live comfortably. Without shearing, sheep can incur several health problems, including overheating, decreased mobility, and creating an environment for mud, manure, and pathogen growth. Shearing benefits the health and welfare of the animal and, most importantly, does not harm them.

The resulting wool is a natural, renewable fibre that makes for a biodegradable and eco-friendly fabric option. It is breathable, muti-season, odour-reducing and even flame-resistant. Wool can also be used as household insulation, and improve air quality by absorbing and retaining pollutants.

Ontario sheep farmers Romy and Ryan Schill of Circle R Lamb and Revolution Wool Company in Wellington County recognize wool’s crucial role as a renewable resource in supporting environmental sustainability. The wool from their farm is processed and milled into yarn and batting here in Canada, creating a truly Canadian product. They are also members of the Upper Canada Fibreshed, a network that believes in the soil-to-soil fibre movement and promotes local, sustainable textile production.

Raising sheep has many environmental benefits in addition to wool production. Land that is unsuitable for growing crops can be used as pastures, where livestock eat grasses and other indigestible plant matter and convert it into nutrient and protein-rich food.

Matthew Fleguel and Liz Johnston of Prince Edward County were recognized in 2020 for their environmental improvements through pasture management on their farm, Waupoos Island Sheep, which utilizes rotational grazing. Rotational grazing involves dividing pastures into sections that are only grazed for a short time before the sheep are moved to another section; this allows grasses in grazed areas to rest and regrow for a more extended period.

The Waupoos Island pastures are scouted regularly to ensure the speed of the rotation is matched to regrowth. While grazing, the sheep’s hooves help mix manure with soil, adding nutrients and building organic matter. This also breaks up the soil, seeds it, and allows plant roots to go deeper—all without the need for mechanical tilling or ploughing. Pastured grasslands are essential ecosystems for many wildlife and plant species, as well as for carbon capture.

Ontario Sheep Farmers have taken a step forward in mitigating climate change by joining the Farmers for Climate Solutions, a national alliance of farmer organizations and supporters who believe that agriculture must be part of the solution to climate change.

Ontario’s sheep farmers have a great story to share about environmental sustainability and their commitment to the land, their animals, and producing high-quality food and fibre.

To find wool and wool products, visit the Ontario Wool Map: ontariosheep.org/wool-map