Seiteninhalt Kontaktlinks

3. Triesdorf Status Seminar on Sheep’s Wool highlights ways to develop a regional sustainable value chain

At the 3rd Triesdorf Status Seminar on Sheep’s Wool on 12 June 2026, experts from the fields of politics, Agriculture, science and the textile industry discussed the latest findings from the ‘Wool Fineness’ project, including Ursula Roth, Senior Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry for Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Regional Identity of Baden-Württemberg (left).

At the 3rd Triesdorf Sheep’s Wool Status Seminar on 12 June 2026, experts from the fields of politics, Agriculture, science and the textile industry discussed the latest findings from the ‘Wool Fineness’ project. 

The seminar focused on the pilot value chain, new processing techniques, breeding strategies, and market and marketing approaches for regional wool. The project is supported and funded by Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg through their respective agriculture departments.

Ursula Roth, Senior Ministerial Adviser at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Regional Identity, opened the conference on behalf of both ministries. In her opening remarks, she emphasised the importance of sheep farming for landscape conservation, biodiversity and also for agriculture – particularly in wool production – in southern Germany. Department chair Prof. Dr Wilhelm Pflanz then presented the various project areas: animal breeding aspects, wool shearing and sorting, as well as market activities including a pilot value chain, and the role of the HSWT as a facilitator and service provider.

Wool scouring and yarns

The morning was devoted entirely to the pilot value chain, which was established in 2025: specialist presentations covered, amongst other things, experiences with on-site wool sorting and wool scouring in Bulgaria, as well as the general situation regarding wool scouring in Europe. Textile quality manager Sylvia Klappenberger (Südwolle Group) provided an assessment of the first yarns as promising. Textile expert Kai Nebel (HS Reutlingen) highlighted potential uses for regional wool.

Another focus was on the possible processing techniques for the yarns produced specifically for this project, including flat and circular knitting methods as well as the production of woven fabrics. Entrepreneurs Gabriele Kolompar (Engel GmbH) and Veronika Kraiser (Flohmax Naturmode) presented their collections made from the project’s yarns and highlighted the successful combination of regional character, quality and design. 

Wool sorting and market and marketing strategies

In the afternoon, there was a visit to the Triesdorf sheep farm, featuring a demonstration of wool sorting. Discussions centred on which sorting steps can be carried out during shearing to improve quality and cost-effectiveness. The focus then shifted to breeding perspectives. Project staff member Natascha Zimmermann (University of Hohenheim / HSWT) explained the high heritability of wool fineness, which, with responsible selection, can lead to finer qualities without compromising other traits such as weather resistance. 

Finally, the discussion turned to market and marketing strategies. Prof. Dr Alexander Wirsig (HFWU Nürtingen) presented the collective brand ‘locwool’ and outlined possible European protection options. Maximilian Mehler (Tuchfabrik Mehler) provided an overview of the national market: Alongside a quality-conscious group of buyers, there is also demand for affordable textiles, which requires new communication approaches. However, both groups expect products that are comfortable to wear and do not scratch – a goal that the project supports through breeding measures.

  • Ursula Roth, Senior Ministerial Adviser at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Regional Identity, opened the conference and emphasised the importance of sheep farming for landscape conservation and biodiversity, as well as for agriculture in southern Germany.
    Ursula Roth, Senior Ministerial Adviser at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Regional Identity, opened the conference and emphasised the importance of sheep farming for landscape conservation and biodiversity, as well as for agriculture in southern Germany.
  • Department chair Prof. Dr Wilhelm Pflanz then went on to present the various project areas: animal breeding aspects, wool shearing and sorting, as well as market activities – including the pilot value chain – and the role of the HSWT as a facilitator and service provider.
    Department chair Prof. Dr Wilhelm Pflanz then went on to present the various project areas: animal breeding aspects, wool shearing and sorting, as well as market activities – including the pilot value chain – and the role of the HSWT as a facilitator and service provider.
  • The morning was entirely devoted to the pilot value chain, which was established in 2025.
    The morning was entirely devoted to the pilot value chain, which was established in 2025.
  • A tactile demonstration clearly illustrated the different finenesses of wool from various breeds of sheep.
    A tactile demonstration clearly illustrated the different wool finenesses of various sheep.
  • Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to display their wares and finished products and to promote locally produced goods.
    Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to display their wares and finished products and to promote locally produced goods.
  • The "Locwool" brand was launched in 2020 with the aim of establishing South German sheep’s wool on the market. The brand is a collaboration between the wool producers’ associations of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and places great emphasis on high-quality wool and animal welfare during shearing.
    The „Locwool“ brand was launched in 2020 with the aim of establishing South German sheep’s wool on the market. The brand is a collaboration between the wool producers’ associations of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and places great emphasis on high-quality wool and animal welfare during shearing.
  • In the afternoon, we visited the Triesdorf sheep farm, where we were shown how wool is sorted.
    In the afternoon, we visited the Triesdorf sheep farm, where we were shown how wool is sorted.
  • The discussion focused on which sorting steps can be carried out whilst shearing is taking place, in order to improve quality and cost-effectiveness.
    The discussion centred on which sorting steps can be carried out whilst the sheep are being shorn in order to improve quality and cost-effectiveness.
  • The discussion then turned to breeding prospects. Project team member Natascha Zimmermann (University of Hohenheim / HSWT) explained the high heritability of wool fineness, which, with responsible selection, can lead to finer qualities without compromising other traits such as protection against the weather. During an on-site measurement, the wool fineness of the sorted wool was measured.
    The discussion then turned to breeding prospects. Project team member Natascha Zimmermann (University of Hohenheim / HSWT) explained the high heritability of wool fineness, which, with responsible selection, can lead to finer qualities without compromising other traits such as protection against the weather. During an on-site measurement, the wool fineness of the sorted wool was measured.

Related articles

previous
Read more
To Top