2001 Texas Wool, Hair
Crops At Record Lows

AUSTIN —(TASS)— The Texas Agricultural Statistics Service reports Texas wool production in 2001 was off 20 percent from 2000 at six million pounds. Mohair production was down 27 percent at 1.72 million pounds. Both wool and mohair were at the lowest levels on record.

Texas producers sheared 870,000 sheep and lambs in 2001, down 23 percent. Fleece weight averaged 6.9 pounds compared with 6.6 in 2000. The total value was down 15 percent at $3.12 million. The price per pound averaged 52 cents, up six percent.

Producers clipped 260,000 Angora goats and kids with an average clip weight of 6.6 pounds. Goats clipped were downs 25 percent and clip weight was down three percent. Value of mohair was $3.78 million. The average price was $2.20 compared with $4.30 in 2000. More adult hair was sold in 2001 than in 2000.

U.S. shorn wool production in 2001 was down seven percent at 43 million pounds. Sheep and lambs shorn were down seven percent at 5.69 head. Fleece weight averaged 7.6 pounds, unchanged. The average price for wool was 36 cents. Total value was down slightly at $15.3 million.

Mohair production in the three major producing states, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, in 2001 was down 25 percent at 1.97 million pounds. Goats and kids clipped were down 23 percent at 310,000 head. The average clip weight was down one percent at 6.5 pounds. Mohair value was down 60 percent at $4.2 million.