A Look at Shearing on a NZ Sheep and Beef Farm
A few days ago at my neighbours, it was shearing time. I love going to watch the shearing because I spent many years on large sheep and beef farms and I miss the atmosphere.
I happened to be going there to visit so I asked if I could take some photos.
The shearers response was funny, thinking they might get famous.
They had 2500 ewes and 2000 lambs to shear over 4 days
Here is a brief look at shearing on a sheep and beef station.
Fun Fact
The world record for lamb shearing is held by Ivan Scott. He shore 744 lambs in 8 hours. That's 93 per hour and on average 1.5 lambs PER MINUTE. OMG that's amazing!!!!
Hard Work in the Shearing Shed
Taking the belly off.
Back Leg then Top Knot.
Going down the long side.
Other Back Leg and Nearly finished!
The Heat
It's the peak of summer here and the temperatures are reaching over 30 degrees. There isn't any air con in the sheds and with the tin roof the heat is stifling. The shearers find it very hot going. They have brought fans to help cool themselves down.
The Wool
The wool is sorted by the wool handlers into various grades. The belly goes in one pile and the edges of the fleece goes in another then the main body of wool gets packed in to wool fadges and gets baled.
Fleece wool.
Wool being packed in to the press to be baled. In the background you can see the completed bales.
Lambs
They must feel quite relieved to get rid of the wool when it's summer time. Lambs do much better out of their wool. They gain weight much quicker.
Jade
This is a typical Huntaway. Her job is to chase sheep. She barks to make them run away from her either on hills or paddocks but in this case she was used to move sheep around in the yards and to fill the shed with lambs.
Lambs waiting in the yards for their turn to have their wool off
I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting the shed and hope you enjoyed a glimpse of Shearing in New Zealand.
Please feel free to comment as all feedback is welcome.
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