Could it possibly be contamination from "tar weed"? Its a nasty little
plant that I have been hand picking out of my pastures. Its a flat,
sage green colored, fuzzy, broad-leaf plant that is fire resistant.
The sheep and alpaca don't eat it, but when they eat around it, the
tips of their fleece get a little coating of this black, sticky,
tar-like sap. It is usually just isolated to their face and top-knots,
but I supposed it could get on their fleece if they laid in it.
(Haven't noticed it in the blanket fleece since we coat them.) We also
notice that it wears off on its own. It usually gets on them in late
summer and there isn't a trace left by the time we shear in the spring.
But, in the meantime, it makes those tips look like they've been
dipped in ink.
Gabrielle Menn, www.fanfarefarms.com
Fleece, hand-spinning, weaving, finished products & gifts.
Investment quality alpaca and natural colored sheep.
I could use some advice on a Cotswold fleece that I am washing. There
seems
to be "barn grease" or something on the tips that is very difficult to
get out.
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