Best Shearing Practices An Facilitie

Small adjustments for greater productivity

- Carin Venter

Many people are unaware of the fact that wool shearing not only complements a sheep producer’s income but is also an essential measure to keep animals healthy and productive. A sheep bearing its full fleece, for example, will start to overheat if temperatures exceed 21°C.

Unlike the Wiltipoll – developed from the Australian Wiltshire Horn sheep breed – as well as a few hairy sheep types, most sheep cannot shed their wool. They need to be sheared and good shearing practices are therefore high on the list of biosecurity measures in the fibre industry.

To shear sheep and Angora goats, however, is a costly affair and South African shearers must be well trained to perform the task as cost-effectively as possible. The National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA) plays an indispensable role in this regard.

The world of shearers

“Shearing a sheep or Angora goat requires effort and good technique – something that cannot be mastered overnight,” says Izak Klopper, manager of shearer training at the NWGA.

“However, there is more to it than just the training of shearers and gaining the necessary experience. Suitable shearing facilities and the conditions under which shearers work are often neglected, and this can make or break a shearer. Even the slightest gesture such as taking a few minutes to talk to the shearers after a hard day’s work can make a big difference to their productivity and attitude towards the work.