Shepherds are faced with two choices: almost give away the wool clip to the cooperative, or develop a niche market.  Longwool sheep and an interest in fibre arts prompted the decision to try the later.

Finding the niche has been a slow process.  Selling fleeces to handspinners was a first, but restricted market.  Several experiments in processing wool into knitting yarn failed because of problems with mill requirements.  Finally, the problem was solved with the discovery of Wellington Fibres, near Elora, Ontario, a mill specializing in small order processing within a reasonable time period.

Wool production now shares equal status with the provision of breeding stock and meat lambs.  Shearing, skirting, washing and dyeing are completed on site, before the fleece is sent to the mill.  The expertise of Donna Hancock and Lorne Thompson has been invaluable.  The beautiful 3-ply yarn they produce captures the best qualities of Border Leicester wool, its strength, its lustre and its resilience.