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Sheep Extension Program: Wool Pool 2009

June 9: Maryville and June 11: Columbia

As in recent years, there will be two wool gathering sites. One at Maryville on June 9 and another at Columbia on June 11. Following is additional information on the gatherings, guidelines and regulations for participation in the pool and directions to the sites. Share with your sheep producer friends and encourage them to choose the one that is the most convenient for them.

The volume of wool that has been pooled for sale has been declining over the years. As with the marketing of any other commodity, the greater the volume offered for sale, the greater the bid price. It is a 'win, win" situation for all.

Tennessee Wool Pool Pick-up Sites

Foothills Farmer's Co-op Bulk Fertilization and Feed Mill, 3957 Hwy 411 South, Maryville, TN 37801 (June 9, 2009)
Local contact is Kenny Holder at Co-op 865-982-1240 or Andy Loveday (865-363-9861) - Andy is local coordinator of wool pool. Wool will be received from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

  • From the west - Take Hwy. 321 from Lenoir City coming to Maryville, turn right on to Foothills Mall Dr. (3rd traffic light). Proceed to junction of Hwy 411 & 129, turn right (south), go approximately 4 blocks. Coop Car Wash will be on right, turn right on to Westside Dr. between Coop Car Wash and Texaco Market. Feed Mill and Fertilizer Plant will be at bottom of hill on right.
  • From the east & north - Take Hwy 129 south from Knoxville, go past airport and through several traffic lights, 129 south will merge with 411 south (Foothills Mall on right before merger). From 1st. traffic light on 411-129 south, go 4 blocks to Coop Car Wash Center on right. Turn right on Westside Dr. between Coop Car Wash and Texaco Market. Feed Mill and Fertilizer Plant will be at bottom of hill on right.
  • From the south - Take Hwy 411 north from Madisonville. Go to the 3rd. traffic light (Food Lion will be on left). Look for Texaco Market on left, turn left on Westside Dr. between Texaco and Coop Car Wash. Feed Mill and Fertilizer Plant will be at bottom of hill on right.

Maury County Farmer's Co-op, 423 Westover Drive, Columbia, TN 38401 (June 11, 2009)
Local contact is Keith Farmer - 931-388-0714 or Dewayne Perry at 915-790- 5721 and Richard Groce at 931-375-5301. Wool will be received from 9:00 AM until 12:00 Noon.

  • From the north - Take I-65 south to Columbia/Chapel Hill Exit 46. Take Hwy. 412 toward Columbia to Hwy. 31 intersection. Turn right on Hwy 7 after crossing the Duck River bridge, then turn left on James Campbell Blvd. Co-op is located at 423 Westover Dr. and is behind the hospital and across from the Columbia Police Department.
  • From the south - Take I-65 north to Culleoka/Lewisburg Exit 37. Take Hwy. 50 toward Columbia to Hwy 31. Cross Hwy 31 and go past Exxon, mall and hospital. Turn right on Westover Dr. Co-op is located at 423 Westover Dr. and is behind the hospital and across from the Columbia Police Department.
  • From the west - Take Hwy. 50 or 412 to Columbia to James Campbell Blvd. Turn right and go to Westover Drive. Turn left on Westover. Co-op is located at 423 Westover Dr. behind the hospital.

Questions: Call Jim Neel (865-974-7294 or 865-789-9646 cell) or Ben Powell (615-237- 0300)
Ben Powell will submit bill soon after wool is gathered and baled.

This will be the only opportunity for Tennessee sheep producers to market their wool in a pool. Emphasize to sheep producers that you know to consign to the most convenient location. We always receive a few calls following the wool pool asking when is the next pool so they can market wool. So, spread the word!

Producers should participate in the Wool and Mohair Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) program. Contact the local Farm Services Administration (FSA) office before the Wool Pool delivery dates.

The Tennessee Wool Pool has fetched a "good price" for a "small volume" in recent years. This is due to the efforts to market a quality product. This includes careful grading, avoiding dark wool fibers and marketing clean wool. Emphasize to your sheep producer friends the need to continue to carry out practices that will result in putting together a high quality wool consignment.

Baling of the wool has also made the pool more attractive to buyers. Baling makes the wool easier to handle and ship at a lower cost.

Following are some management suggestions that you can pass on to your local producers to aid in marketing their wool and help make the "pool' more attractive:

  1. Do not bring "colored" wool to the pool.
  2. Do not bring shearings from "hair sheep" from either purebred or crossbred "hair sheep." Hair will not be accepted.
  3. It is preferred that wool be brought to the pool in either burlap or plastic wool bag. Do not bring wool in plastic feed bags or tied with plastic twine.
  4. Do not bring "dark wool" to the pool. Keep the wool from white-faced sheep separated from "black faced" wool. Do not "hide" black wool in lambs wool or "burry wool." Bags that have black wool contamination will not be accepted. Remember, we are marketing a "quality product."

To efficiently manage the pool and get the wool baled, consignors will be expected to have the "volunteer" spirit and help get their wool baled. This will make it easier on everyone. The pool is being managed and run by "volunteers" and help is requested from consignors and will be much appreciated. Producer are encouraged to help with the processing of their wool. This can also be an educational experience for the producers in that they will develop a better understanding of the process.