Shearing Sheep Near Wagga Wagga

Shearing time on any farm is a massive process and generally occurs once a year. The timing of shearing differs throughout the country depending on the management practices adopted to maximise returns . On Rushdon near Wagga Wagga the sheep are peeled in July towards the end of winter. Their lambs have been removed drenched for internal parasites and turned out on new spring growth. The ewes having survived the drought and reared the lambs now have a chance to recuperate with their wool removed, put on weight again ready for mating time the next exciting time in their life.

The sheep need to be organised on the farm to be nearby to the shearing shed prior to being penned up over night. Mobs of approximately 350 fully grown ewes are moved towards the holding paddocks which enables them to be 'EMPTIED OUT' which in other words is taken off grazing for 24 hrs . The main purpose of this 'emptying out' is to avoid contamination of the fleece which can occur if sheep are penned up closely.

Penning up occurs the night before shearing and is the last task of the day. If it were to rain then at least there would be a full shed full for the shearing gang to process and allow for any wet sheep to dry out before shearing. Two shearers are engaged on Rushdon . This enables approximately 300 / 320 sheep to be shorn each day. To handle the wool to the correct standard this requires a team approach . On this farm it is a family affair.

Wendy has returned from uni to help out. Her role is that of rouse-about. Keeping the catch pens full , removing the Bellies and Top Knots from the shearing floor along with clearing and throwing the fleece to the Skirting Table at the completion of each sheep shorn. Her role requires diligence and watching for opportunity's to remove soiled wool or dags as part of the process of maintaining a quality end product.

Josh, has the role of general shed hand. He skirts one side of the fleece, removing soiled wool along the under side of the fleece. He looks for short wool that grows along the neck of the ewe, Heavily stained from sweat and oil or sand impregnated wool. Burrs and sticks stuck in the wool are pulled clear to ensure the final fleece is prepared for Johns final inspection . Josh also has the role of baling up with the hydraulic wool press .

John is the master of ceremonies. He maintains an oversight of the whole operation. His main role in the shed is Wool Classing. He assesses the fleece ensuring the Quality and strength meet the uniform gradings of AAA or AAAm . The micron measurement of the wool is generally 18 to 19 . John runs a line if 1800 BOND breeding ewes. This type of sheep has been breed in the area and do well in the local conditions. The sheep are bigger build than Merinos and smaller the Boarder Lester . The points ie Legs and Head are clear of wool and made better by the removal of extraneous skin tags around the tail end when they are lambs., Muesling.

Some sheep have done it hard in the last few months of the drought, rearing a lamb is a big drain on a ewe some becoming sick due to mastitis or general starvation. This can cause a 'Break' in the wool which needs to be graded down to an inferior quality.

Janet has a very important role, food and drink. Shearing is done to the clock. The shearer work in two hour runs, 7am to 10am with a 30 minute break for morning tea a further run to Lunch . Janet has to be well organised to have the food and drinks available on these times. The BBQ is struck up at Midday. Steak, sausages and chops are available which is complimented with salads, bread , fruit, and tea or coffee.

The shearer take an opportunity to replenish their handpieces during the breaks. Combs and cutters are replaced and a spare hand piece is made ready for emergencies if and when the cutting edge becomes dull or broken . Wool contains natural oil which builds up in the combs. This is scrapped off in readiness for resharpening after the days work is completed.

Josh keeps an eye on the fleeces being stuffed into the hydraulic wool press. The unit has a built in weight scale to ensure the total weight remains under 200 Kgs. Wool packs have four large flaps that are secured with special staple clips for when the bale is released from the press. Of course the bale needs to be correctly identified with the property name, the assessed quality of the wool and the wool classers personal identity number stamped on the label.

At the end of the shearing the work doesn't stop . Sheep have to be returned to pasture asap as they haven't eaten or had a drink for up to 24 hrs. This can take a while with the destination paddock being about 4 kms away. When they got to the paddock of young fresh oates they soon filled their bellies with fodder and water from the dam. They stand out boldly with their gleaming white outline against a rolling 200 acre paddock of green oates.

The team effort continues as the next days sheep needed to be shed-ed up, a slow process as the ewes seem to be aware of their pending shearing. They resist entering a dark shed especially with the noise of their hooves on battens on the floor which allow the shit to fall directly to the ground. The dogs, black and tan Kelpies, seem to relish the challenge jumping up on the back of the sheep to move them on towards the back of the internal pens.

The days workload starts to slow down with a shared family evening meal back at the homestead. Even then, logistics and stratagies are reviewed and developed .

I did enjoy my day with the Schiermers on Rushdown. I was able to record some of the events on video to help remind me of my day out shearing.

I wonder what will happen next !!