Updates and Guidelines for Fleece Producers entering the 2019 Fleece Show & Sale

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1 Updates and Guidelines for Fleece Producers entering the 2019 Fleece Show & Sale April 3, 2019 Better late than never! This letter is being sent out to all of the producers who entered fleeces for the last three years for whom we have contact information, as well as a few addition people who have not participated in previous years and have requested information. It is also posted in downloadable form on the Festival website ( If you would prefer not to receive this in the future, please let us know and we ll be sure to take you off the list. THE USUAL REMINDERS: 1. NO MECHANISM FOR ONLINE ENTRIES. Please fill out paper entry forms and mail them with a check. 2. NO LATE ENTRIES. All entries must be RECEIVED by Thursday, April 26. No new entries will be accepted the day of fleece check-in (Friday, May 3 rd ). If you have questions about the entry process, feel free to contact us ahead of time. Note that there remains no 3. FLEECE CHECK-IN: 10:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. ON FRIDAY, MAY 3rd at the back of the Farm & Garden Building. No entries will be accepted after 4: WHOLE FLEECES ONLY. Please DO NOT enter split fleeces or partial fleeces as separate entries. The Fleece Show & Sale is for the sale and evaluation of whole fleeces. There are other venues for selling partial fleeces by the pound. 5. DO NOT PRICE FOR NO-SALE. Once again, we ask that you do not place exorbitant prices on fleeces in the hopes that they will not sell. If you wish to enter a fleece in competition to be judged but don t want to sell it, we recommend you take it to one of the other venues that have a no-sale option. You may noticed, if you have received a Festival Catalog, that we have revised the description of the Fleece Show & Sale and pertinent entry information. Much of the information we previously provided in this letter is now better incorporated into that text. It is reprinted here for your information. In addition, we have included in this package the summary data from the 2018 Fleece Show & Sale that may help you determine your prices.

2 2019 Fleece Show & Sale Building 2 (Farm & Garden Bldg.) * See Fairgrounds Map Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. & Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact: Lee Langstaff (Co-Chair), Old Hundred Road, Dickerson, MD ; fleeceshow@sheepandwool.org New This Year! New Class for Down-type medium wool fleeces. Down-type medium wools entered for Show and Sale will be separated out from other medium wool into its own category for judging. These include breeds such as: Southdown, Hampshire, Shropshire, Suffolk, Dorset, and others. National Lincoln Sheep Breeders Association Special Awards. Best White Lincoln Fleece, Best Natural Colored Lincoln Fleece, and overall Champion Lincoln Fleece offered by the National Lincoln Sheep Breeders Association who are holding their national show and sale at this year s Festival. Fleece Entry Options: All fleeces must be for sale. Show & Sale ($7 per fleece): Fleeces entered in competition to be judged and eligible for awards, and also consigned for sale (Divisions I, II and III). Sale Only ($4 per fleece): Fleeces consigned for sale but not judged or eligible for awards (Divisions I & II only). Maryland Shepherds Cup: Award for the best set of 5 handspinning fleeces from an individual Maryland shepherd/flock. Each fleece must be individually entered for Show & Sale in the appropriate Divisions and Classes. Only one entry of 5 fleeces per shepherd/flock. No additional entry fee. Fleece Standards 1) Producers are urged to be selective in choosing fleeces to enter. 2) Fleeces must be from the current ( ) wool clip and represent no more than 15 months growth. 3) Maximum of 7 fleeces per exhibitor. The same fleece may not be entered in more than one class or division. 4) Whole fleeces only (no half or partial fleeces). 5) Each fleece must be skirted to ensure it is clean, dry, as free as possible of contaminants (e.g., vegetative matter (VM), chaff, burrs, manure tags & second cuts, etc.). 6) Minimum staple length of 2 inches. Note that 3 inches and above is preferred by most hand-spinners (as appropriate to breed type). 7) The Committee reserves the right to reject any fleeces not meeting standards (e.g., excessive dirt or VM, fleeces with active lice, excessively short fleeces, cotted, wet or moldy fleeces, etc.). Entry fees will not be refunded for rejected fleeces.

3 Entry Requirements 8) Fleeces must be in a clear, unmarked plastic bag that can be easily opened (no knots). 9) Weights must be provided to the nearest quarter pound. The Committee reserves the right to re-weigh fleeces if entered weights are questionable. 10) Breed designation: Breed information on the entry forms should be designated in one of two ways: a. For purebred single breed: Breed Name (e.g. Romney) b. For crosses or mixes of more than one breed: Predominant Breed Name X (e.g., Romney X). Predominant Breed refers to the breed that is either the highest percentage breed in the cross OR the breed in the cross/mix whose qualities are most reflected in the individual fleece. Additional details will be entered under the optional Fleece ID field and will print out on the tag that will be fastened to the bag. 11) Prices will be set by the producers. Producers are urged to be reasonable in the prices they set. A summary of the price ranges for different breeds and categories of fleeces entered last year is available on the Festival website and may provide useful guidance. 12) Entries must be RECEIVED no later than Thursday, April 25, 2019 accompanied by entry fee. 13) Entry fees are: $4 per fleece consigned for Sale Only, and $7 per fleece consigned for both Show and Sale. 14) Producers are responsible for entering their fleeces in the appropriate division and class. Judges will not re-classify fleeces once they are delivered. 15) Entries that require changes at time of delivery (including weights or substitute entries) will incur an additional $1 fee per fleece at time of check-in. Show & Sale Rules & Responsibilities 16) Producers entering fleeces are responsible for picking up ribbons in the Fleece Show & Sale office anytime after 11:00 am on Saturday. Premiums will be mailed to winners with their fleece sales checks. 17) Producers are responsible for picking up unsold fleeces (see schedule). Any abandoned fleeces will become the property of MSBA. 18) The commission on sales will be 10% for MSBA members (current as of April 1, 2019) and 20% for non-members. If you wish to join MSBA (or update your membership), membership forms can be found via: or 19) It is the policy of the Festival to be a broker to make quality fleeces of all kinds available to spinners and other fiber artists and to provide a marketplace for producers. 20) MSBA will make every effort to display and care for the entered fleeces, but assumes no responsibility for damaged, lost, or stolen fleeces. FLEECE SHOW & SALE DIVISIONS AND CLASSES DIVISION I - Natural Colored Fleeces DIVISION II - White Fleeces All fleeces in Divisions I & II will be judged on suitability for handspinning. Divisions I & II will each have classes A, B, C and D, as follows: A. Fine: Spinning Count 64s to 80s (17-22 microns) (e.g., Cormo, Merino, Rambouillet, etc.)

4 B. Medium: Spinning Count 50s to 62s (22-31 microns) (e.g., Cheviot, Columbia, Corriedale, Dorset, Montadale, Tunis, etc.) B1. Down-Type Medium wool Show & Sale entries will be separated out for judging (e.g., Southdown, Suffolk, Hampshire, Shropshire, Dorset, Cheviot, Tunis, Clun Forest, etc.). C. Long: Spinning Count 36s to 48s ( microns) (e.g., Border Leicester, Coopworth, 2019Cotswold, Lincoln, Romney, Wensleydale, etc.) D. Primitive/Double-Coated: (e.g., Icelandic, Karakul, Navajo-Churro, Scottish Blackface, Shetland, etc.) Premiums for each class: 1st - $20 2nd - $15 3rd - $12 4th - $10 DIVISION III - Breed Class Fleeces Judging will be based on breed standards and suitability for handspinning. Div. III fleeces must be for Show and Sale (no Sale-Only entries). Premiums for each class: 1st - $20 2nd - $ Breed-specific Classes: Blue-Faced Leicester Border Leicester Coopworth Cormo Corriedale Cotswold Finnsheep Gotland Jacob Karakul Leicester Longwool Lincoln Merino Rambouillet Romeldale Romney Shetland Silent Auction Selected Special Fleece Show Award winners (designated below by *) will be placed on a separate table following judging and will be available for silent auction bids from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday. The starting prices will be the producer s asking prices. Bidding will close at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, and these fleeces may be picked up by the winning bidders after 3:30 p.m. SPECIAL FLEECE SHOW AWARDS *Champion Fleece, each Division - $50 and Rosette *Grand Champion Fleece - $100 and Rosette *The Pat Brown Memorial Award: Best Maryland Fleece - $25 & Cup The Tyson Creamer Memorial Award: Best 4-H Fleece - $25 Best Uncovered Fleece - $25 Maryland Shepherds Cup - $ Sponsored Awards: Blue Faced Leicester Union Award for Highest Placing BFL Fleece - $50 Champion Leicester Longwool Fleece (sponsored by Budding Creek Farm) - $50 Best Leicester Longwool Natural Colored Fleece (sponsored by The Ross Farm) - $25 Best Leicester Longwool White Fleece (sponsored by Underhill Farm) - $25 National Lincoln Sheep Breeders Association Champion Lincoln Fleece - $50 National Lincoln Sheep Breeders Association Best White Lincoln Fleece - $25 National Lincoln Sheep Breeders Association Best Colored Lincoln Fleece - $25

5 ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS FOR ENTERING YOUR FLEECES 1. To access a downloadable Entry Form online go to the festival website: -> click on icon for Shows and Sales -> select Fleece Show and Sale -> select the downloadable registration form on the right. 2. Fleece ID. This field is for you to enter information that identifies the specific fleece and distinguishes it from your other fleeces, e.g., by name of the sheep or sheep eartag number, or some other way you wish to identify the specific fleece. 3. Fleeces entered in Division III (breed-specific) classes should, of course, designate the breed but should not designate Class (A, B, C, or D). 4. Please DO NOT list estimated weights or prices you intend to change! If you do not have accurate weights or prices for your fleeces at the time you fill out your registration forms please leave those fields on the form blank and bring us the correct information when you arrive. 5. Covered vs. Uncovered Fleeces. The space on the entry form to indicate whether a fleece was covered (on the sheep) or uncovered MUST be filled out. This is critical if we are to continue to offer a prize for the best un-covered fleece. 6. Producer Identification (and other information) with fleeces. - Sale-Only fleeces may include visible information on or in the bag(s) upon entry if desired. - Show & Sale (competition) fleeces: any additional information must be inside a standard plain white envelope in the bottom of the clear plastic fleece bag. If you wish to place more visible identifying (or other) information with your competition fleece(s) you may do so AFTER judging is completed. You can check with us late on Friday (depending on how late the judging goes) or on Saturday morning about doing this before the sale opens, or do it anytime after the sale opens. Bring your fleece receipt slips to make it easier to locate and identify your fleece(s) by the number assigned to them. 7. Lower Commission for Maryland Sheep Breeders Association (MSBA) Members: MSBA charges a commission on all fleeces sold at the Festival: 10% for MSBA members (as of April 1) and 20% for non-members. Annual membership is $25 and is open to everyone regardless of state of residence. To join go to: 8. REMINDERS for how to ensure efficient and painless check-in process: ü Check-in will be fastest, easiest, and cheapest for those who have registered with complete information (including accurate fleece weights) on their entry forms! ü Open bags - Bring your fleeces to check-in in clear plastic bags that are open. They must be open in order to place identifying paperwork in the bag. It takes extra time at check-in to undo knotted or tied bags. At the check-in table, each will be knotted with the appropriate amount of opening for judges and/or shoppers to view the fleece. ü Incomplete or inaccurate entries: If your registration information is incomplete or incorrect and requires changes or additions at check-in time, check-in will take longer and 5

6 will incur a $1.00 administrative fee for each fleece requiring a change. Payment will be due at time of check-in (this will add a step and time to your check-in process). WANT TO HELP? As always, it takes a great deal of volunteer participation to make the Fleece Show & Sale a success. Volunteers are a critical part of the success of the Fleece Show & Sale with tasks ranging from helping with sales, managing entrance and exit areas; ensuring tags are secured to fleece bags; and managing returns of unsold fleeces. Assignments for two-hour minimum commitment are made in advance to ensure we have all critical jobs covered, so please contact us well ahead of time so we can assign you. Working at the Fleece Show & Sale is a great chance to get exposed to a huge variety of fleeces and meet fellow fleece lovers and experts who are generous with their knowledge and experience. Please contact us at fleeceshow@sheepandwool.org. We look forward to seeing you in May! ~ Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival Fleece Show and Sale Committee: Lee Langstaff & Judy Leece (co-chairs) Attachments: 2018 MSWF Fleece Show & Sale Statistics 2019 Fleece Show & Sale Entry form in.pdf and.xls formats Maryland Shepherds Cup Description Information sheet on Down-type fleeces Map 6

7 Number of Exhibitors Number of Buyers Maryland Sheep Wool Festival 2018 FLEECE SHOW SALE SUMMARY DATA from 15 states from 32 states, Canada (ON, NS, QC) and the UK ASKING PRICE ($/lb) SOLD PRICE ($/lb) Total Lbs. Min Max Ave # Sold Lbs. Min Max Ave # Unsold Total Fleeces 922 $3.00 $60.00 $ $3.00 $60.00 $ Show & Sale 476 $5.00 $60.00 $ $5.00 $60.00 $ Sale Only 446 $3.00 $45.00 $ $3.00 $45.00 $ Coated Fleeces 293 $7.00 $60.00 $ $7.00 $60.00 $ Show & Sale 215 Sale Only 78 Uncoated Fleeces 629 $3.00 $60.00 $ $3.00 $60.00 $ Show & Sale 261 Sale Only 368 Division I (Natural Colored) A - Fine 72 $7.00 $50.00 $ $7.00 $50.00 $ B - Medium 98 $5.00 $40.00 $ $5.00 $50.00 $ C - Long 132 $4.00 $45.00 $ $4.00 $45.00 $ D - Dbl Coat/Primitive 23 $12.00 $40.00 $ $12.00 $40.00 $ Division II (White) A - Fine 51 $5.00 $35.00 $ $5.00 $45.00 $ B - Medium 151 $3.00 $40.00 $ $3.00 $66.67 $ C - Long 150 $5.00 $50.00 $ $3.00 $85.00 $ D - Dbl Coat/Primitive 3 $10.00 $20.00 $ $8.00 $8.00 $ Division III (Breed Specific) 229 $5.00 $60.00 $ $5.00 $60.00 $ WHOLE FLEECE PRICES ENTERED SOLD Count Min Max Ave Count Min Max Ave ALL FLLECES 704 $5.25 $ $79.66 Division I (Natural Colored) A - Fine 72 $28.00 $ $ $28.00 $ $ B - Medium 98 $12.00 $ $ $12.00 $ $98.31 * C - Long 132 $13.50 $ $ $13.50 $ $76.92 D - Dbl Coat/Primitive 23 $24.00 $ $ $24.00 $ $75.33 Division II (White) A - Fine 51 $22.50 $ $ $22.50 $ $75.98 * B - Medium 151 $5.25 $ $ $5.25 $ $42.12 C - Long 150 $10.00 $ $ $10.00 $ $54.82 D - Dbl Coat/Primitive 3 $15.00 $ $ $15.00 $40.00 $27.50 Breed Specific 229 $18.00 $ $ $18.00 $ $87.20 * Max Sale price greater than Max Asking price due to Silent Auction of Special Award Fleeces SILENT AUCTION GR. CH/Div II Ch Div III Ch Res.Gr.CH/Div I Ch/Best MD ASKING PRICE AUCTION PRICE Fleece # $/lb Total $ $/lb Total $ %ofasking 29 $32.00 $ $40.77 $ % 640 $25.00 $ $31.35 $ % 98 $25.00 $ $50.00 $ %

8 2018 MSWF FLEECE SHOW SALE DATA SUMMARY BY BREED Breed Fleeces Lbs Ave Min Max SOLD Lbs Ave Min Max UNSOLD Awassi 1 4 $10.00 $10.00 $ $10.00 $10.00 $ Bl Face Leicester $27.37 $15.00 $ $28.96 $15.00 $ Bl Face Leicester X $13.06 $5.00 $ $13.60 $5.00 $ Border Leicester $10.31 $4.00 $ $9.88 $4.00 $ Border Leicester X $16.18 $4.50 $ $12.12 $4.50 $ California Red $18.75 $18.00 $ $19.00 $18.00 $ California Red X $13.00 $13.00 $ $13.00 $13.00 $ Cheviot $11.40 $8.00 $ $11.40 $8.00 $ Cheviot X $5.93 $5.00 $ $6.00 $5.00 $ Clun Forest $7.00 $7.00 $ $7.00 $7.00 $ Clun Forest X $10.50 $10.00 $ $10.50 $10.00 $ Columbia 2 18 $10.50 $10.00 $ $10.00 $10.00 $ Columbia X 1 7 $8.00 $8.00 $ $8.00 $8.00 $ Coopworth $15.69 $6.25 $ $15.69 $6.25 $ Coopworth X $13.29 $12.00 $ $13.00 $12.00 $ Cormo $29.32 $10.00 $ $31.19 $10.00 $ Cormo X $15.13 $13.00 $ $14.45 $13.00 $ Corriedale $21.17 $9.00 $ $21.75 $9.00 $ Corriedale X $16.85 $7.00 $ $16.63 $7.00 $ Cotswold $19.05 $9.00 $ $16.76 $9.00 $ Cotswold X $20.00 $20.00 $ $20.00 $20.00 $ Dorset $9.11 $6.00 $ $9.35 $6.00 $ Dorset X $10.33 $5.00 $ $14.00 $14.00 $ East Friesian $8.31 $8.00 $ $8.31 $8.00 $ Finn $37.53 $6.00 $ $36.61 $6.00 $ Finn X 5 20 $16.40 $6.00 $ $9.00 $6.00 $ Gotland $40.41 $20.00 $ $40.71 $20.00 $ Gotland X $14.30 $5.00 $ $14.55 $5.00 $ Gulf Coast Native 2 6 $14.00 $14.00 $ $14.00 $14.00 $ Hampshire $7.00 $7.00 $ $7.00 $7.00 $ Hog Island $12.00 $12.00 $ $12.00 $12.00 $ Ile de France X $8.00 $8.00 $ Jacob $16.95 $8.00 $ $16.95 $8.00 $ Karakul $18.20 $15.00 $ $18.20 $15.00 $ Leic Longwool $9.87 $5.00 $ $8.83 $5.00 $ Leic Longwool X $8.71 $7.00 $ $8.50 $7.00 $ Lincoln $8.95 $8.00 $ $8.30 $8.00 $ Lincoln X $11.16 $8.00 $ $10.20 $8.00 $ Merino $16.60 $5.00 $ $16.93 $5.00 $ Merino X $16.25 $8.00 $ $17.22 $8.00 $ Montadale $8.18 $5.00 $ $8.18 $5.00 $ Perendale $13.22 $8.00 $ $12.33 $8.00 $ Perendale X $13.71 $12.00 $ $14.25 $12.00 $ Rambouillet $14.14 $7.00 $ $16.20 $7.00 $ Rambouillet X $17.67 $7.00 $ $16.20 $7.00 $ Romanov $15.00 $15.00 $ $15.00 $15.00 $ Romeldale $15.48 $8.00 $ $15.42 $8.00 $ Romeldale X $24.24 $12.00 $ $23.63 $12.00 $ Romney $11.12 $7.00 $ $11.64 $7.00 $ Romney X $14.90 $5.00 $ $16.29 $5.00 $ Shetland $21.93 $10.00 $ $19.97 $10.00 $ Southdown 1 5 $8.00 $8.00 $ $8.00 $8.00 $ Teeswater X $25.00 $25.00 $ $25.00 $25.00 $ Texel $5.05 $3.00 $ $4.94 $3.00 $ Texel X $6.00 $6.00 $ $6.00 $6.00 $ Tunis $7.36 $5.00 $ $7.16 $5.00 $ Tunis X $15.00 $15.00 $ Unspecified $16.00 $16.00 $ $16.00 $16.00 $ Wensleydale $12.11 $8.00 $ $12.11 $8.00 $ Wensleydale X $16.25 $10.00 $ $14.14 $10.00 $ TOTAL

9 ATTENTION MARYLAND FLEECE PRODUCERS! $100 MARYLAND SHEPHERDS CUP The purpose of this award is to recognize consistent excellence in the production of handspinning fleeces by wool producers in Maryland. The winner will be judged to have entered the best set of five handspinning fleeces from an individual Maryland shepherd. The Maryland Shepherds Cup is offered in remembrance of Mary Ann Jackson, shepherd at Spinning Flock Farm. Mary Ann was a long time supporter and active member of the Festival Committee and MSBA. As well as being named 2006 Maryland Shepherd of the Year with her husband Ed, MaryAnn initiated the fiber arts and shepherd workshops at the Festival, taught innumerable beginning spinners and weavers, and was a tireless supporter of textile arts. The best set of five fleeces will be the one that best demonstrates consistently high quality across all five, which may as a group reflect factors such as: specific breed character; perfectly matched fleeces (color, character, consistency, quality); variety of fleece types; natural colors, etc. The award will include a perpetual trophy inscribed with the name of each year s winner plus a $100 prize. GUIDELINES for entering: 1. Maryland shepherds will designate five handspinning fleeces that best represent their flock and breeding program goals. The fleeces must be from sheep belonging to the shepherd entering them and the farm must be in Maryland. 2. All five fleeces must also be individually entered in the appropriate Division and Class for Show and Sale. 3. Check appropriate box on entry form to be included in MD Shepherd s Cup competition. 4. Only one entry (of 5 fleeces) for the Shepherds Cup per individual shepherd or flock.

10 Down-type Medium Wools 2019 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Fleece Show & Sale Information Sheet This year the MSWF Fleece Show & Sale will be adding a Class for Show & Sale for Down-type fleeces. There is increasing interest in the Down-type wools among handspinners and other fiber artists. It is great to see that this long overlooked & under appreciated fiber is now being rediscovered by this market! Background Many of the breeders of sheep that produce this type of wool are primarily involved in production of lambs for meat and or/show, and have not found markets for their wool to be worth pursuing. Certainly this has been true on the commercial level where the wool has brought very low prices (typically less than $.50 per pound). Many of these breeds have black, gray or red faces and legs, and the colored hair is considered a contaminant in most commercial wool processing. Their wool is often sheared before it has reached a sufficient staple length for processing, further reducing the commercial value and making it unattractive to handspinners. Now that spinners are learning about the qualities of Down-type wool, they are starting to seek it out and are finding it hard to source. Down-Type Breeds First Tier: The true Down breeds found in the U.S. are: Southdown, Hampshire, Suffolk, Shropshire and Oxford (the other true Down breed, the Dorset Down, is not currently found in the U.S.). Beyond the true Down breeds there are many other breeds may be categorized as Down-type breeds either as a result of genetic ancestry or genetically unrelated but similar fiber traits. The tricky question is how widely to spread the net, and well-informed people might make different distinctions. Here are some initial guidelines based on consultation with a few very knowledgeable people: Second Tier: Dorset & Dorset Horn, Hog Island, Montadale, Polypay, Cheviot. Third Tier: California Red, Clun Forest, Columbia, Tunis, Gulf Coast Native, Texel, Kerry Hill, Santa Cruz. Though not white, one could also argue to include East Friesian and Black Welsh Mountain (on the coarser end of the spectrum).

11 Qualities typical of Down-type Wool * Characteristics of Down-breed and Down-type wool fleeces include: Dense and relatively short (2-4 inches), blocky locks that may not pull apart cleanly Fiber diameter spans (and can exceed) medium range Springy, elastic, lofty and resilient Lots of crimp, but not as uniformly aligned as non-down medium wools, may be irregular along length of fiber, and a slightly disorganized look to the lock Low or no luster matte finish Typically white ranging from bright to buttery Once processed, these wools maintain their resilient loftiness, are sturdy and hard wearing and can be resistant to felting to the extent that they can be machine washed. Note that in the U.S. some of these breeds have been crossed in an effort to highlight other characteristics and this may have led to the wool straying from the Down-type characteristics. Down-type Medium Wool at the Festival The characteristics of the Down-type wools are sufficiently different from the other medium wools that we believe they deserve their own category, as they are frequently dismissed when judged against other medium wools such as Corriedale or Finnsheep (and many others). In their own Show & Sale class, they will be judged against others of their type as well as being easier for interested buyers to find. For those producers who have Down or Down-type breeds or crosses, and who would like to enter some fleeces in the MSWF Fleece Show & Sale, here are some guiding principles for you: 1) Optimal length: 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. Absolute minimum of two inches. Staple length in the optimal range are likely to support higher prices. 2) Fleeces should be well skirted: short & poor fibers (belly wool, top knots) removed; colored hair (from face & legs) should be removed as much as possible; second cuts, manure tags, and any contaminants should be removed (vegetable matter such as hay, straw, burrs or other seed heads, etc.; colors from marking crayons, poly twine, hoof trimmings, feathers, etc.). 3) Fleece qualities should be as uniform as possible across the whole fleece. 4) Fleeces should be presented with the cut or skin-side on the outside (folded and rolled is the normal practice) 5) Fleeces do not have to be from pure-bred sheep crosses are welcome. 6) You decide whether your fleece(s) are better suited to the traditional Medium Wool (Class B) class, or the Down-Type Medium Wool (Class B1) class. Since some genetic lines may have incorporated other fleece types, they may not demonstrate Down-type characteristics. This is up to you. 7) In pricing your fleeces remember we are just getting started with this category and buyers may be interested in trying something new but wary of spending a lot without being familiar with this type of wool. In the past 2 years, prices for Down-type breeds have ranged from $3-$7/lb. Most of them have sold. The ones that have not sold have been too short or carried too much VM. * For more details, see Robson & Ekarius The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook

12 FLEECE SHOW&SALE NEW LOCATION! Fleece drop-off at back of building (follow signs)