Sheep Shearing
Mid-spring is an exciting time on Moosey Animal Farm. Exciting, that is, for the small flock of merino sheep - it's shearing time!
Before the Shearing - Sheep in the Yards
Every year the same routine. First a change of scenery and greenery - from the back paddock to the front paddock, where the yards are. With George the ex pet-lamb trailing behind the great sheep move up the driveway takes place. Once in the front paddock there are a few delicate matters to attend to - the clipping of faces, and the cleaning of bottoms.
In the Trailer
Then the waiting, thick with wool, for shearing day. Finally - it's here! The sheep are loaded six at a time into the trailer, and taken down the road. The plan is to get 'there' while it's sunny, and get undercover in the shearing yards. 'There' is a much larger neighbouring farm with its own shearing shed and friendly shearer called Mike.
The Shearer
Wrinkly Merinos
Merino sheep are very wrinkly with multiple folds of skin. Having at least four woolly chins makes the ewes look very ugly - older lady gardeners will sympathise. The Moosey ewes do lead a sedate country life, and it's been a few years since the handsome horned merino ram came to 'visit'.
The shearing proceeds carefully and efficiently. No-one wriggles too much, and Mike is the consummate professional - there's hardly a scratch left afterwards.
Grabbed and flopped this way and that, each sheep remains calm and resigned to their fate. Could it be that deep in the folds of woolly memory they remember they've been here before? And it must feel nice, suddenly letting your skin breathe - Hmm...
Good to Be Back Home
Where six sheep squashed before shearing, ten can fit on the return journey. The trailer trundles slowly back down the road - no problems! Released back into the front paddock there is much springing and bouncing. Imagine how springy lady gardeners would be, if they could shed so much weigh so painlessly and quickly!
The returnees are now white and wrinkly, so much slimmer, with just a few nicks and tucks. At least they are the right sheep colour - well, as far as tourists are concerned! This is such a clean and green look - a contented flock of fresh white sheep, peacefully grazing. That is, until they all lie down in the dirt on the hump for a post-lunch snooze...
Hurry Up George!
A Few More Details...
The shearer takes about three minutes per sheep. New Zealand has serious professional shearing competitions, but Ted is semi-retired now, and just takes on some local small flocks.
After the Shearing - Back Home
There is definite rivalry, however, as to which sheep has the finest wool. The prize this year (as in most years) goes to George the ex pet-lamb, whose fleece is estimated at 16 microns. Go George! From the Moosey front paddock to the carpet mills in China, or wherever the wool auction takes you...