Yishui Wool

Yishui Wool

　　【Yishui Wool】 Wool is a traditional and major livestock product in Yishui County.

　　 Yishui County has been designated as a sheep-raising base county by Shandong Province, with 660,000 mu of grassland and 150,000 mu of sparse forest pasture, capable of providing 90 million kilograms of forage annually,

　　and when combined with usable parts of crop straw as feed, the annual forage yield can reach 290 million kilograms. Sheep herding has a long history in Yishui County. According to the 1933 (Year 22 of the Republic of China) “Chinese Industrial Records,” there were 4,517 sheep-raising households in Yishui County, raising 5,780 sheep, producing 1,800 dan of wool,

　　with 1,800 dan sold externally, exported to Qingdao and Taoluo.

　　The local sheep in Yishui are of the Mongolian type, featuring strong adaptability but relatively low productivity. From 1952 to 1986, superior breeds such as “Corriedale,” “Sarise,” “Caucasian,” “Xinjiang Fine Wool Sheep,” and “Merino” were introduced from both domestic and international sources for crossbreeding and improvement. By 1983, the number of improved sheep reached 29,820, accounting for about 73% of the total sheep population.

　　 The local sheep in Yishui belong to the Mongolian type, which are highly adaptable but have lower productivity. Between 1952 and 1986, superior sheep breeds from both home and abroad, including “Corriedale,” “Sarise,” “Caucasian,” “Xinjiang Fine Wool Sheep,” and “Merino,” were introduced for crossbreeding and improvement. In 1983, the number of improved sheep reached 29,820, making up approximately 73% of the total sheep population. Improved sheep showed significant improvements in productivity compared to local breeds. According to tests by the provincial fiber inspection institute, second-generation sheep produced wool with 89.5% fine wool content, while third-generation wool was largely homogenized.

　　The local sheep in Yishui are of the Mongolian type, with strong adaptability but relatively low productivity. From 1952 to 1986, a number of high-quality sheep breeds from both domestic and foreign sources—including “Corriedale,” “Sarise,” “Caucasian,” “Xinjiang Fine Wool Sheep,” and “Merino”—were introduced for crossbreeding and improvement. By 1983, the number of improved sheep had reached 29,820, accounting for around 73% of the total sheep population.

　　Improved sheep demonstrate significantly better production performance than local breeds. According to measurements by the provincial fiber inspection institute, second-generation sheep produce wool in which 89.5% is fine wool, and third-generation wool is largely uniform in quality.

　　Wool quality, as tested by the provincial fiber inspection institute, shows that second-generation sheep produce wool where fine wool accounts for 89.5%, and third-generation wool is nearly uniform in quality.

　　 Sheep’s wool boasts advantages such as being fine and uniform,

　　Textile industry raw materials. Due to differences in the fineness, length, crimp, strength, evenness, elasticity, luster, and grease content of wool fibers, they are generally categorized into fine

　　wool, semi-fine wool, improved wool, and dual-type wool, among other types. Fine wool is suitable for worsted spinning and can be used to weave various mid- to high-end woolen fabrics, while coarse wool is an ideal material for making blankets,

　　carpets, and similar products. In recent years, as living standards have improved, various wool products have become increasingly popular with consumers.

　　 The procurement of sheep wool in Yishui County mainly consists of "spring wool" (sheared around Grain Rain), which is produced in large quantities, of good quality, and harvested within a concentrated period. There is also some

　　"autumn wool" (sheared around Autumn Equinox). Since 1978, many farmers in the area have gradually become prosperous through sheep farming.