San Luis Valley Wool Pellet Project

Originally developed in Europe, wool pellets have found their way to the United States due to their affordable production and benefits for crops and soil. Wool pellets are developed using a similar process as forage-feed pellets by running unwashed wool through a pellet mill - and it's as simple as that! 

Currently, wool pellets are produced on small scales in the United States with intended use being potted house plants, gardens, and greenhouses. A cooperative of local experts in the San Luis Valley believes that wool pellets can do so much more, especially in large-scale agriculture. 

Wool pellets hold many benefits for crops and soil alike. See the list of benefits to understand what these pellets can do!

• Soil Water Retention: wool pellets can hold up to 25% of their weight in water, all of which is held in the soil
• Soil Porosity: once water is applied, wool pellets expand to hold onto water, increasing soil porosity in the process
• Soil Carbon Fixation: wool pellets contain 50% of their weight in Carbon, which is directly introduced to the soil and kept there
• Crop Nutrition: with an average NPK of 9-0-2, wool pellets supply Nitrogen and Potassium to crops

To ensure the success of this project, a cooperative of local experts has been developed. This cooperative is studying the effects of wool pellets on potato production, exploring product financial feasibility, and creating a business plan for wool pellets in the region. With a wide variety of individuals including crop producers, sheep ranchers, business gurus, and soil health experts, the SLV Wool Pellet Cooperative is dedicated to discovering the benefits of wool pellets through rigorous testing and feasibility studies. The cooperative has a goal to someday open a facility to produce wool pellets in the region to provide a solution for crop growers, a financial outlet for sheep ranchers, and an economic benefit for the San Luis Valley. 

The feasibility studies and on-farm trials for the wool pellet project would not be possible without our sponsors. Thank you!

Colorado Sheep & Wool Authority