Tomorrows Wool

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Bradford Farming is the in-hand farming business of Bradford Estates, located in the Shropshire/Staffordshire borders, farming 5,000 acres producing combineable crops, potatoes, lettuce, wildflower seed, and sheep as part of a sustainable mixed farming system.We propose to explore the feasibility of developing a new weed suppressant product for the horticulture sector, based on wool. Wool is a low value product which barely breaks even at best after shearing costs. Enhancing its value through developing a new product will support improved profitability of sheep farming. The commercial horticulture sector is grappling a number of challenges including reduced chemical weed control options, an upcoming ban on peat in commercial operations, increasingly challenging growing conditions with seasonal extremes.Few non-chemical weed control options exist, and growers rely heavily on manual weeding. Alternative materials have a range of sustainability challenges, and we believe wool offers a sustainable and viable alternative. The novel wool weed suppressant will be trialled in commercial ornamental (roses) and edible (blueberries) horticultural crops.We believe wool could provide a sustainable, UK-produced, viable weed control, benefiting growers and sheep farmers UK-wide. The idea has arisen from discussion with edible and ornamental horticulture growers, seeking sustainable solutions; and sheep producers seeking to add value to wool.