The Wight family has been raising sheep in Ontario since 1856. In 1984, the Wight Sheep Farm was moved from Southern Ontario to the Temiskaming Claybelt. Since then, the farm has had at least 120 ewes lambing every year.
The farm operation successfully converts grass, hay and quality livestock into delicious Canadian lamb. While Canadian lamb enjoys an excellent market, Canadian wool has never received the attention it deserves. So in 1989, we added our own wool processing facility, Belle Vallée Wools, to the farm.
Our mill is assembled from small textile production machinery which involved moving and setting up 40,000 lb. of equipment. Although the carding machines are 90 years old, they are still capable of their designed production of 40 - 50 pounds of roving per hour. Now we have the ability to wash, card, spin and finish raw fleeces into yarn.
Belle Vallée Wools is a replica of the many woolen mills that operated throughout Ontario at the beginning of the century, providing local service to sheep producers and the surrounding population. In a sense, we are replaying a piece of Ontario history. We are presently the only complete farm-based woolen mill in Eastern Canada.
Belle Vallée Wools yarn is from Canadian wool exclusively; Canadian wool is very soft, warm and durable. To preserve these natural properties, our mill avoids additives in the wool processing. We have a unique Softspun Yarn which has very little twist, making it extra soft and warm while surprisingly strong. Our Northwood Toques are knitted from this softspun yarn. Total in-mill processing allows us to produce yarns in our own colour combinations of heathers and plys.
Belle Vallée Wools blankets are 100% warm and woolly and woven on our own power loom. They come in warm country checks or traditional tartans. Our blankets are very similar to those produced in small mills in pioneer days.
Visitors are welcome to view the woolen mill in operation Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Belle Vallée Wools products are marketed at our mill and in many yarn stores and tourist shops. We also provide custom processing to wool producers and hand spinners. Our pure Canadian wool yarns and products are guaranteed to keep you both warm and comfortable in our Northern climate!
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