Debunking Wool Grades

At Ulster Wool, we often hear a common misconception, that wool is graded by breed. In this article, Debunking Wool Grades, we aim to set the record straight and explain how our grading process really works.

The UK is home to the most varied wool clip in the world. With over 60 recognised pure breeds and countless crossbreeds, the diversity of our local fleece types is unmatched globally.

We have a team of 34 full-time wool graders across the UK, each of whom undergoes a minimum of three years of training, before they are qualified to grade. Every fleece is graded by hand, by individual fleece characteristics such as fineness, length, strength, colour and uniformity. Even within a single flock of the same breed, fleece quality can vary considerably. As a result, an average farmer’s clip in UK can be sorted into as many as 15 different quality grades.

This method ensures that every fleece is assessed on its own merit, helping to maximise its value at auction and giving it the best chance of being used effectively by the textile industry. Wool merchants and manufacturers rely on Ulster Wool’s grading system to select the precise wool types they need, whether that’s soft, fine fibres for clothing or more robust wools for carpets and insulation.

It’s also worth noting that manufacturers rarely use a single grade in isolation. Much like baking a cake requires a mix of ingredients, wool processors often blend multiple grades of wool together to achieve the desired characteristics in the final product, such as texture, consistency, and durability.

So, while people may ask, “What breed is your wool from?”, the equally important question is, “What grade is your fleece?” At Ulster Wool, our expert graders make sure every fleece is handled with care and precision to support better returns for our farmers and ensuring Ulster wool is recognised for its exceptional quality and versatility.