Counting sheep in European landscapes
On biomass management, livestock and the wool of our clothes
Have you ever heard of pecorino cheese? It is a typical Italian cheese produced from sheep milk. It is a staple in many Italian homes and its great flavour is distinguished in two main varieties, namely pecorino romano (pecorino from Rome) and pecorino sardo (pecorino from Sardinia). The presence of this specific ingredient in so many typical Italian dishes speaks to the important role that sheep have played and still play in Italian culture. Sheep have been shaping local traditions not only in Italy, but in other European regions as well. With the multifaceted benefits they bring to European landscapes, the use of sheep is far beyond the production of milk meat and wool. Nonetheless, sheep herding is becoming more and more a niche activity, as younger generations are not inclined to pick up the job and even when they do, the income is low and the labour is high, making this trade unprofitable at best, unsustainable at worst.
While milk (especially in the form of cheese) and meat have their market, the culture around the use of sheep wool is slowly disappearing. And yet, most sheep breeds need to be sheared yearly and sheperds have to bear the costs of this task with little to no reward. Why should we care about the use of wool and keeping sheep in European landscapes? In the next paragraphs, I delve deeper into some of the key points that make sheep such a valuable asset for our landscape and how, by using European wool, we can support local economies.
Sheep as landscape managers
In Europe, sheep play a key role in landscape management. From grazing the Pyrenean meadows to maintaining the heathlands of the Netherlands, sheep have helped shape some of our most iconic environments. Grazing prevents vegetation overgrowth, supports biodiversity, and maintains the open spaces that many European species rely on. Preserving sheep herds in the landscape is not only a matter of an idyllic pastoralist vision, but it also presents practical benefits that weave together traditions and innovation. For example, pilot studies in Spain have used sheep herds to promote biomass reduction in areas affected by wildfires (lower biomass = less “food” for the fire). In northern Germany, sheep are said to have a “golden hoof,” as their presence on dykes ensures an even compaction of the soil that prevents dyke erosion. In other areas, sheep grazing has been essential for the preservation of rare varieties of orchids. In the Alps, sheep can graze in steep environments where no other land use could be possible, offering yet another source of food, despite impervious local conditions. On top of that, the movement of animals throughout the landscape has immense benefits for species distribution: the seeds, spores, and plant materials that get stuck in the wool and in the hoofs of the sheep can travel for several hundreds of kilometers, ensuring the maintenance of high biodiversity along transhumance routes.
So how can we directly support these incredible animals who provide such benefits to local ecology? By caring about their care, aka, by using their wool.
Fibers and their producers
Did you know that wool, once vital to Europe’s medieval economy, is now often discarded as waste? Yet, this same material has incredible potential—not just for garments, but for agriculture and sustainable living. Wool keeps you warm, but that’s not all. It is also a flexible material that allows garments to retain shape well over time. It is water repellent as wool garments treated with lanolin (a natural fat present in the wool before treatment) used to be worn by sailors. It can be spooled in thin single-strand fibers for light and airy constructions (think of lace) or multiple strands can be combined to form a sturdy yarn that does not pill and holds well to the test of time. It can also be felted (most of us have done this at least once unwillingly) to create hats, bags, shoes, and other usually fabric or leather-based items. Even though most sheep breeds produce wool and have to be sheared regularly, some of the wool may be short fibered, itchy, dirty, matted and has to be selected, separated, and processed accordingly. This is often an extra cost for farmers, who may not be able to sell wool that is not top quality. This kind of wool can be used for mattresses, pillows and duvets or to insulate buildings. Leftovers of unprocessed wool make a great mulching option for market gardens, and decomposing on-site also enriches the soil with nutrients. Using wool for different purposes is therefore a great way of utilizing local resources and ensuring that all wool is valued.
Practical tips
Despite its cultural and environmental benefits, sustainable sheep farming in Europe faces challenges. The use of meat, dairy and wool from these animals is often not enough to justify the expenses that shepherds face. Moreover, the lack of facilities for the transformation and distribution of wool often hinders its utilisation, favouring the imports of wool from other areas of the world or the switch to other fibers altogether. Many farmers struggle to compete with cheap imports and synthetic alternatives. Yet, buying local wool can make a difference. In addition to reducing environmental impact, it supports rural communities and preserves Europe’s rich heritage.
When presented with the opportunity, here are some things you can do:
If you have a garden, approach local sheperds to see if they would be willing to sell you some of their unprocessed wool for mulching.
If you enjoy knitting, crocheting or felting, get in touch with local yarn shops and ask where their yarn comes from. Would they be willing to introduce some local yarn as part of their sales?
When buying garments, prefer the ones that can provide traceability and certification of their wool. This ensures that your purchase supports sustainable farming practices and operations
Disclaimer
When not done correctly, sheep shearing can be extremely traumatic and dangerous for the health of the animals. When buying wool, make sure you are buying from trusted sources that consider the health of the animals as a priority.