SHREK

Before you purchase a wool product from a store, the wool passes through many hands.  Some of these hands include farmers, veterinarians, shearers, weavers, and feed producers.  One of the most important set of hands are the sheep shearers’ hands.  Today I would like to focus on their role because if their job is not done correctly, the whole batch of fleece, or even the life of the sheep is in jeopardy.

It is smart to hire a professional shearer for this task because sheep’s wool can become damaged if they are not sheared correctly (Sheep 201).  Shearers need to be trained and experienced in using the correct tools.  The training includes basic shearing technique and other tips such as the proper hand positioning and gentle handling. 

 (Sheep Shearing Day)

A typical day for a sheep shearer includes seeing several hundred sheep. They use special mechanical tools which need to be sharp to increase safety.  Sheep must be dry to be shorn and it is a good idea to fast the sheep before shearing (Sheep 201).  An article in 2015 states that Australia has a minimum wage requirement that all sheep shearers must make at least $2.85 a sheep (Murphy, Susan).  Professional shearers can finish a sheep in just a few minutes while a novice might take up to half an hour.  The sheep are first penned and then sent in one by one to the shearers.  They are rolled onto their back and sheared in a specific direction.  Shearers must be strong enough to handle the sheep and able to stand and shear all day.  Approximately five kilograms of wool is cut off each shearing!  When they are finished, the fleece should look like the picture below. Sheep should be shorn every year so shearers are always busy. 

(Cinquecento Paper)

As I have spent time researching this topic I have seen a lot of backlash come to shearers.  Many people are worried that sheep are harmed or even killed in the process.  It is a delicate procedure but as long and the shearer is experienced, the sheep should not be hurt.  In fact, shearing a sheep is done for its own good because their wool never stops growing.  A lovely New Zealand sheep named Shrek experienced this problem first hand.

 (Wool World Record)

Shrek had not been shorn in five whole years and poor Shrek had just been waddling around with 40 kilograms of wool on him!    When he was found they called in a four-time Australian Shearing Champion to help do the job.  The shearing took him approximately 45 minutes.  Shrek himself only weighed about 44 kilograms (Wool World Record).  If he had carried this wool for much longer he would have died.

 (Wool World Record)

This story shows how necessary it is to have trained professionals as part of your regular sheep shearing team.  They are what keep sheep healthy and make it possible for us to utilize their quality byproducts.

“Sheep 201: meat, milk, or wool?” The purpose of Sheep 101 is to teach students, teachers, 4-H and FFA members, and the general public about sheep, how they are raised, and the contributions to mankind., http://www.sheep101.info/201/shearing.html. Accessed 24 Sept. 2017.

“'Wool world record': 40kg from overgrown sheep.” ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sept. 2015, www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-03/wool-world-record-set-after-42kg-fleece-shorn-off-canberra-sheep/6746200.

Murphy, Susan. "Shearer's story: Around the world with wool clippers." The Sydney Morning Herald. September 13, 2015. Accessed October 14, 2017. http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/shearing-cover-20150913-gjlgan.html.

"Cinquecento Paper." Magnolia Paper. Accessed October 14, 2017. https://www.magnoliapaper.com/cinquecento-paper/.

"Sheep Shearing Day." Hardys Animal Farm. Accessed October 14, 2017. http://www.hardysanimalfarm.co.uk/events/sheep-shearing-day/.