MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' genetically improved wool clip reflects a significant increase in value

The increase in value is largely due to the extensive genetic improvement activities that take place across much of the Falkland Islands sheep flock.

The value of the Falkland Islands wool clip has increased by around 11% over the past six years, or £1 million at today’s wool prices announced MLA Teslyn Barkman at the most recent meeting of Legislative Assembly.

 In her portfolio report she said: “This increase in value is largely due to the extensive genetic improvement activities that take place across much of the Falkland Islands sheep flock.”

The Department of Agriculture has completed the genetics improvement (artificial Insemination) program for 2019.

Over 2,500 ewes were inseminated throughout May by a visiting technician.

Over the last hundred years, wool has been the main production and export of the Falklands. However following the 1982 South Atlantic conflict, and the establishment of the EEZ, fisheries has become the main export industry and has allowed the Islands to flourish economically.

Nevertheless sheep and wool remain the backbone of Camp activities, and with the stabilization of the world market, and local funding to improve genetics, the industry has made an interesting comeback.

Falklands has a flock of 490.000 sheep (2017) with a clip of 1.744903 kilos of greasy wool. (PN)