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Let there be wool – photo essay

By

Mike Sturk

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Published: January 13, 2022

Alex Baker, left, Dwight Galenzoski and Shawn Fajnor put their backs into their work. | Mike Sturk photo

Alex Baker, left, Dwight Galenzoski and Shawn Fajnor put their backs into their work. | Mike Sturk photo

More than 700 sheep kept three sheep shearers busy for the better part of two days in mid-December at the Cayley Colony near Cayley, Alta.

Each sheep averages four kilograms of wool with more than 2,500 kg expected.

The 180 kg bags of wool will go to Custom Woolen Mills in Linden, Alta., where much of it will be made into fine yarn. | Mike Sturk photos

Jeffrey Stahl moves the sheep toward the shearing area. | Mike Sturk photo

Colton Hofer carries an armload of wool to Richard Walter, who operates the pressing machine. | Mike Sturk photo

Dave Carlson holds up a sample of wool taken from one of the colony’s sheep. | Mike Sturk photo