More to farms than food
THE search for cost-effective, alternative uses for agricultural commodities continues to reveal new opportunities. Once purely food producers, farmers are now open to alternative ideas. Supplying energy from crops or wind, or offering services such as leisure activities is widespread.
Once, only meat, milk or vegetables were considered, but anything goes now - turfgrass to biomass, from wormeries for composting to Christmas trees. Farmers are even getting into semi-industrial areas, with the search for natural, sustainable materials leading many manufacturers to farms.
For example, biodegradable plastics can be made from the starch found in many cereals, with very positive implications for the environment. But sheep wool is perhaps one of the best examples, and one of the most versatile renewable resources from farms.
Wool keeps sheep warm in winter and cooler in summer, because of its ability to absorb and release water vapour.
The construction industry has latched onto these unique properties, and wool for insulation in houses and buildings is becoming increasingly popular, especially amongst new homeowners who want natural materials.
Wool absorbs moisture and still retains its insulation properties. It has a long life-span, and the lanolin makes it flame resistant.
It's easy to work with. Unlike fibreglass, no protective clothing is needed when insulating the attic - or lagging the hot water tank with wool. It's non-carcinogenic, and doesn't irritate the skin, eyes or respiratory tract.
In buildings, when the outside temperature increases and begins to heat the wool insulation, it releases moisture. This has a cooling effect on the fibre, which reduces the flow of heat to the inside of the building. This can reduce peak temperatures by up to 7°C, when compared to buildings in which alternative forms of insulation are installed.
In winter, the absorption of moisture by wool insulation is estimated to increase peak temperatures by up to 4°C.
British farmers' representatives gave a vote of confidence to wool insulation by installing it at the new National Farmers Union Headquarters in Warwickshire. The centre for Alternative Technology in Wales has also installed wool as cavity wall insulation.
According to David Pierce, whose Co Wicklow company produces sheep wool insulation, more and more people are buying the product. "It's a natural form of insulation," he says. "Wool insulates sheep and keeps them alive, no matter what the weather. The fact that it's not man-made is one of its attractions. It's also a sustainable and renewable product, as the sheep produce a new fleece every year."
There's another attractive advantage, from the point of view of environmentally conscious house buyers. Wool insulation requires less energy to make than other insulating products - some of which require more energy to manufacture than they can ever hope to save as insulation.
Wool can also prolong the life of timber in houses, by preventing the timber from drying out.
"Wool is nature's air conditioner," says Pierce. "On wet days it takes in moisture, and on dry days this moisture is released. That's how the sheep are kept cool in warm weather. This property of wool is particularly appealing to people building timber houses."
As a wool wholesaler, Pierce can choose which wool he will use in his insulation product. He uses black or dark wool. This helps to keep down the price of the insulation, as dark wool is less valuable on the market. "Black wool can't be dyed into lighter colours, so it fetches a lower price," explains Pierce. "So it makes sense to use it as the raw material for insulation."
Wool insulation is a premium product, and it costs more than other forms of insulation.
Pierce buys his wool from local farmers and from dealers around the country. While the demand for wool insulation is relatively small compared to other forms, in time, demand for wool could grow. Sheep farmers would welcome anything which improves the price of wool. In recent years, the cost of shearing has been greater than the price received for the fleeces.
"Wool has become a waste product on farms," says Pierce. "One reason for this is the increase in the production of man-made fibres. The fashion for wooden flooring in houses is also a factor. People aren't buying carpets anymore. In the past, people would buy a new one every few years."
Any farmers building dwelling houses could do their sheep farming colleagues a favour by avoiding fibreglass or rock wool, and using sheep wool insulation instead, thus making a good environmental decision while helping the market for a farm product.
lThe Australians, leaders in wool production, have found alternative uses such as pet beds, now being marketed successfully.
These use two to seven pounds of raw wool each, mixed with cedar chips for odour and flea control. The wool provides temperature and moisture control.
Low-grade wool has also been found to work well for storm water remediation, compared to polypropylene, the current industry standard. The wool effectively traps pollutants, to protect waterways.
Wool is also being tested for erosion control, weed barriers and re-vegetation uses. Wool-based mats are effective weed barriers.
* For more information on David Pierce's Sheep Wool Insulation (The Square, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow), contact: David.pierce@sheepwoolinsulation.ie or www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie website.
