New Zealand Merino Wool

... the finest wool in the world

The New Zealand Merino sheep that supply the fibre in our Cover Me blankets are farmed predominately in New Zealand's pristine South Island high country. Merino sheep thrive in the natural and rugged environment of New Zealand's high country. The rich biodiversity that is characteristic of the high country is testament to 150 years of careful and sustainable land management by New Zealand's Merino farmers.

New Zealand Merino farming can be classified as extensive (often in excess of 10,000 acres); with stocking rates of less than 1 sheep per hectare (1 hectare = 2.4 acres), ensuring these beautiful yet fragile semi-alpine ecosystems are maintained over time. Merino sheep, by their nature are foragers, they graze on a variety of pasture and plant species, free range. Given the feed type, the scale of Merino farming operations, and the very low stocking rates, this means that the need for applying treatments to land and to stock tends to be significantly less that with other more intensive farming operations.

The environment that these properties exist in can be harsh with hot summers and very cold winters - this is part of the reason why Merino Sheep have evolved to produce fibre that gives Cover Me blankets the outstanding softness and performance.

Merino sheep have been managed by generations of Merino farmers to ensure natural biodiversity is maintained alongside providing the necessary feed, shelter and water to enable their Merino to produce fibre of the highest quality. These farmers are passionate about the environment and have developed stewardship systems to enable them to farm in harmony with nature.