Although it will burn under intense fire, it normally self-extinguishes when the flame source is removed. Many consumer safety experts advocate wearing woolen garments when flying. The U.S. sheep industry traditionally focuses on wool during the spring months. In fact, approximately 63 percent of American-produced wool is shorn during April, May and June. In 1999, the U.S. sheep industry produced approximately 46.5 million lbs. of wool.
American wool has many uses.
In addition to its well-known uses in clothing, fabrics, yarn, felt and carpet, American wool is used to make insulation, rug pads, baseballs and tennis balls. Some of the major wool processors in the United States include Burlington, Pendleton, Forstmann, Prouvost and Wellman. U.S. mills must purchase Australian and New Zealand wool in order to meet their wool needs. Australia provides mostly finer wool, which is used in making apparel, while New Zealand provides mostly coarser wool, which is used in making numerous industrial and home interior products. Although the United States buys Australian wool, it is not even in Australia's top 10 destinations.