What is a Merino?

 

Merino a breed of sheep, thought to be the oldest breed of sheep in the WORLD. Famous for its fine, soft wool and its ability to thrive in extreme climates, like the high country of New Zealand, the outback of Australia, the plains of South Africa or the mountainous terrain of South America. .

 

Merino products are world-renowned for natural luxury, quality and performance. You can spot a merino sheep by their wrinkly skins and fleeces, pink noses, and the rams (male sheep) often – but not always – have big curly horns.

 

What about other sheep? 

 

Merinos make up less than 10% of all the sheep in New Zealand with the rest of the sheep producing strong wool. Strong wool producing sheep can be a variety of breeds, some of the common ones include Romney, Suffolk, Texel, and composites. 

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Strong wool has the same amazing properties; it doesn’t smell, it biodegrades, it is fire retardant, but due to the coarser nature of the fibre, it is scratchier against the skin, and is typically used for carpets, rugs and upholstery. 

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How are ZQ animals treated?

 

Our growers rely on their animals for their livelihood, so it’s vital they provide and care for their livestock in the best way they can. Healthy, happy sheep make the best fibre after all! ZQ sheep are grazed in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote grassland areas and are free to roam in extensive conditions throughout the year.

 

The ZQ programme requires growers to provide these five basic freedom requirements;

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• Freedom from thirst or hunger

• Freedom from pain or distress

• Freedom from injury or disease

• Freedom from discomfort or inadequate shelter

• Freedom to display normal patterns of behaviour

 

Every ZQ certified grower adheres to the​ requirements laid out in the ZQ Grower Standard. 

 

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Are ZQ sheep mulesed?

 

Nope. Mulesing is not permitted on properties that supply ZQ wool. Growers have adopted integrated strategies to manage the risk of flystrike, without mulesing.

 

ZQ Natural Fibre has led the world, being the first accredited wool fibre that guarantees mulesing does not occur.

 

 

Does mulesing still occur on farms?

 

We're happy to report New Zealand officially banned the practice of mulesing on the 1st October 2018.

 

For more information, please contact the NZ Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

 

There are other countries around the world that still practise mulesing, so it pays to check where your wool is coming from. Luckily, with ZQ, you can be assured no mulesing occurs - even from countries that still condone the practice.

 

 

Are sheep harmed in the process of harvesting wool?

 

ZQ Natural Fibre is harvested through a process called shearing. It's like getting a 'number 4' haircut!

 

Shearers are highly skilled people and pride themselves on careful handling of the sheep. They leave a good covering of wool on the sheep, to keep them warm. Machine shears are the most popular tool for shearing, as they are fast and efficient, for minimal stress on the animal. Prior to shearing commencing, ZQ growers work with their shearing contractors and team to ensure that appropriate planning and preparation has taken place to minimise stress.  

 

Sheep have been bred for thousands of years to grow wool, therefore shearing is not just about harvesting wool - it's also about keeping the animals comfortable, relieving them from having to endure the hot summer months with a heavy fleece.

 

All ZQ properties are third party audited, including random audits during the shearing season. 

 

 

When does shearing happen?

 

Timing of shearing must be appropriate for the breed of sheep and their environment, including weather conditions.

 

Most Merino growers in New Zealand shear once a year and this main shear will normally take place sometime between August and November, to ensure the sheep still have their woolly coats for the winter months.

 

Depending on the farm, strong wool growers may shear once or twice a year (or in some situations, every 8 months). 

 

 

How long do sheep live for?

 

Most Merino sheep will live between 6-8 years in the high country before their quality of life starts to diminish. As the sheep age, their health is closely monitored and typically by 7-8 years they will be either sold to other farms in lower, easier farmland or sold to the meat industry to be processed for consumption. It is essential that, even in this instance, the sheep are treated humanely.

 

Therefore, we have strict transport and handling protocols. This is audited by an independent, 3rd party auditor.

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What auditing takes place?

 

See the Audits section below.