Churro Sheep + Kemp = Climate Hero

Kemp…. What is it?

Most people have never heard of kemp. To a Churro sheep, it is one of their “superpowers” that makes them climate heroes.

Kemp, found in the fleeces of the most primitive sheep around the world, is a hard, brittle, opaque, medullated fiber (possessing a core of air-filled cells) found in the fleece of some sheep. It is usually coarser and much shorter than the wool fibers with which it is associated. After growing for a limited time, it is shed and frequently lies loose in the fleece.

Kemp is associated with “unimproved” sheep. Compared with other fibers in the fleece, kemp fiber is short and much more coarse. Unlike modern fleece fibers, kemp contains a hollow air-filled shaft, making it a good insulator that helps protect Churros from extreme temperature fluctuations.

 Protecting the Landrace Genetics

The problem Churro sheep face, similar to all primitive sheep worldwide, with modern practices, is the promotion of fine, soft wool, where coarse fibers and kemp are undesirable. Globally, primitive sheep breeds that do not belong to this soft-wool category have either disappeared or are being “improved” to eliminate kemp and coarse fibers. Over the years, improving Churros has involved introducing “more desirable” breeds into their genetics, primarily occurring late in the 19th century and early in the 20th century. The ancestors of these sheep remain popular as market pressures compel breeders to produce softer fleeces with little to no kemp.

By doing this, we have inadvertently diminished the Churro's remarkably adapted traits.

The most primitive Churro has beautiful silk-like fiber with varying amounts of kemp found in the earliest descriptions and the Rio Grande and Navajo weavings.

A fresh perspective on an “Old Type” fleece

How important is it to landrace sheep?

We are exploring various lines of fleece traits that could date back to before the 1860s, referencing historic weaving practices. This type of fleece is rare because it falls outside the N-CSA's acceptance criteria, yet we are investigating its historical significance and potential applications for climate mitigation. These unimproved Churro fleeces retain original-type fibers that we believe are found only in the earliest Rio Grande and Navajo weavings. The characteristics of these fibers are unique to the Churro genetic makeup: exceptionally high luster, a great feel or “handle,” despite each sheep having a singular and varying amount of kemp; a short inner fiber, and a long, straight, crimp-free fiber considered the strongest among sheep breeds. These fleeces are distinctive because they maintain an exceptionally high luster and open fleece not observed in most modern Churro breeding. We are just beginning to explore how and why these fleeces are special. We are also exploring additional uses of hollow kemp fiber, which we believe carries its specialized biome, for soil mitigation, insulation, and water retention—let alone its potential to aid the Churro in surviving our changing climate.

Churro Sheep as Climate Heroes?

The three-fiber fleece as a Super Fiber…

These little “scrub sheep” (as they have been historically referred to), with a beautiful long fleece, can help us find solutions to the climate crisis.

Historically in New Mexico, it was the Churro sheep that dominated the agriculture scene for 500+ years because it adapted and could survive the extremely harsh conditions of traveling long distances with little food and water. We have found compelling research working with Churro fleeces in soil applications besides the distinct way they engage physically with arid terrains, protecting the fragile desert ecosystem by how they move and graze. The hollow fiber of kemp has impressive advantages with insulation from extreme temperature fluctuations and water retention. Because of the unique qualities these specific fleeces create, they have a symbiotic relationship in water transfer and water-holding capacity. Unique to a primitive Churro fleece, the absorption properties change as the fleece takes in water. It is superior to other fibers in its ability to hold moisture in a gaseous state and water-transferring properties. We are just finding out about this quality in carbon sequestering and water retention in soil when churro fleeces are used in soil mitigation.

In most sheep fleeces, wool’s natural water resistance and ability to wick away moisture are among its most impressive qualities and, to many, its biggest enigma. The main thing to know is that wool adsorbs (yes, “adsorbs” not “absorbs”, that’s different) moisture. Adsorption means that water molecules get trapped in the naturally porous fibers of the fabric, whereas absorption, where water molecules permeate the fabric and are wet to the touch. For wool, because the water is trapped, it doesn’t feel wet to the touch.

But what happens to that moisture?

Inside the fibers, water condenses and releases heat. Meanwhile, the outer layers of individual wool fibers shed water and release moisture into the air as vapor. It all happens thanks to the combination of wool’s cellular structure, biophysical qualities, and chemical properties. We have just begun our discovery of what a Churro’s fleece can do for carbon sequestering, soil mycelium mitigation, and retention of moisture for soil, let alone how it assists the sheep in survival. Also to note is the composition of hair and wool fibers which is made up of Keratin: The protein substance forming the wool fiber is composed of carbon (50.5%), hydrogen (6.8%), nitrogen (16.8 %), oxygen (20.5%), and sulfur (5.4%).

What is significant about the loss of kemp in churro fiber?

The loss of kemp in a Churro fleece—the loss of the primitive traits—means the loss of the genetic wisdom inherent in their evolution. The loss of primitive traits in any landrace species means the loss not only of the unique characteristics that have helped a species adapt in the past, but the loss also of the deep genetic diversity that is the wellspring of survival strategies for the future. This includes all adapted species, plant and animal in their unique biomes.

It’s that simple.