Icelandic Wool

Organic wool is wool that is produced in compliance with federal standards for organic farming. federal requirements for organic livestock production include:

aec feed and forage used from the last third of gestation must be certified organic;

aec Use of synthetic hormones and genetic engineering is prohibited;

aec The use of synthetic pesticides (internal, external and on pastures) is prohibited, and

aec Producers must encourage livestock health through good cultural practices and management. (OTA)

One of the most important features of the natural wool is the ability to isolate and maintain the air without blocking the airflow. This process can be easily explained. Wool crimp fabric naturally creates a volume that help to retain heat and wool textile industry at the same time is quite breathable. This unique ability of wool to regulate the temperature of the air has been known many centuries ago.

Another distinguishing feature of organic wool is the ability to absorb excess moisture and then releases slowly into the air. Wool is able to absorb about one third of its own weight.

Wool is also naturally anti-static electricity. This feature is dependent on the ability of wool to absorb moisture and this moisture leads to static electricity.

The wool is known to be naturally fire retardant. Unlike most synthetic fiber, wool has low flame spread and combustion heat to low. This means that the wool products provide a high security environment.

To include all the above facts, the organic wool is:

aec A green alternative

aec Treatment against fire

aec Hypoallergenic

aec Moisture absorbent

aec Heat retention

aec Fully breathable

aec Static electricity resistant

aec Mildew resistant

aec Waterproof

aec resistant to dust mites

Most organic wool from New Zealand and Australia. The finest organic wool comes from merino sheep that are livestock farming.

What other breeds of sheep are used in the production of organic wool?

1. Lead races identified in the survey numbers were: British, Navajo Churro, Rambouillet, Rambouillet / Suffolk Cross.

2. Others include: Border Leicester, Cheviot, Cormo, Dorset, Karakul, Icelandic, Southdown, Suffolk, Tunis, and unspecified cross.

Why is the cost of organic wool is more than traditional wool?

1. Organic production involves high costs of wool certification, management and work practices.

2. production of organic wool is a small scale industry and it can not use the same terms as large wool industry to scale non-organic.

3. Federal organic standards for livestock production prohibit overgrazing. If the price of wool is low, the difference can be made by simply increasing production per unit of land, as is commonly practiced by many animals. (OTA)