Bishop Burton students learn what BWMB does with their sheep’s wool
A group of agricultural students at the East Yorkshire College were recently given a presentation to explain what happens to their sheep’s wool once it leaves their farms, thanks to a visit to the college from Gareth Jones of the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB).
Gareth Jones and James Bentley, Agricultural Lecturer_outside Bishop Burton’s Centre of Agricultural Innovation
BWMB Producer Communications Manager Gareth Jones was invited to give students an introduction to the wool industry and the BWMB’s work in shearing training, grading, the auction system and promoting wool. Examples of wool in the different stages of the process were displayed from greasy wool, scoured wool, carded wool as well as yarn, and examples of wool products.
This followed a BWMB shearing training course held at the college during the previous week which was attended by, amongst others, Bishop Burton student Jack Johnson who said, “I found the presentation fascinating and it gave me a much better insight into what happens to the product once it leaves the farm”.
“Most of us simply weren’t aware of what happens to wool once it has been shorn from the sheep. Having the opportunity to learn more about the wool chain and understand more about the BWMB’s important role within the sheep sector was both interesting and valuable’’.
Mr Jones welcomed the opportunity to work and engage with the next generation of farmers which was vital for the long term sustainability and future of the industry.
“It was clear from the visit; the students were quite surprised at the scale the BWMB operates at. The group were also talked through the promotion and marketing activity of BWMB’s involvement in the Campaign for Wool, which is now a worldwide movement, has been instrumental in increasing awareness of the many varied qualities of wool and wool products which is helping to stimulate increasing demand.”
Speaking on behalf of the group James Bentley, Agricultural Lecturer, said it had been invaluable in helping them understand how BWMB operates and why they were paid the prices they were for their wool.
“I don’t think any of them comprehended how complex the wool supply chain is once the wool has left the sheep’s back. We really enjoyed the presentation and thank the BWMB for giving us an insight into the wool industry. When clipping time comes every summer from now on, we will think twice about where the fleeces will be going and the processes that they will be going through’’.
