LATE SHEARING

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25084, 16 January 1947, Page 3

LATE SHEARING

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR POSITION IN CENTRAL OTAGO “ The Press ” Special Service DUNEDIN, January 14. Because of a shortage of suitable labour, the shearing of sheep in Central Otago, which began in October, is not expected to be completed until the end of February. There are large numbers of sheep throughout the country yet to be shorn. In many cases, farmers and their families have to do the work unaided.

With wages paid on the basis of every 100 sheep shorn, ipachine work is more popular than the blade with the few young men who have come to the district for the season. One sheepfarmer told an “Otago Daily Times” reporter at the week-end that he regretted there were no shearing schools. Five or six seasons ago they had been a success.

Corriedales predominate in Central Otago and their density of wool and weight of fleece this year are expected to compare favourably with that of previous seasons. Romneys are being introduced to the Teviot district, and Romney cross strains are expected to be a valuable addition to the flocks on the down country. The first lambs of the season—four truck loads—left Roxburgh by rail this morning for the Burnside freezing works. Lambs at Roxburgh and Lawrence are conditioning well, there having been no more rain than usual in these districts this season.

There is no abundance of feed on lhe lighter land in Central Otago and for this reason the fall of about half an inch of rain on Saturday afternoon and evening was welcome, although wet sheep would require two or three days before they were sufficiently dry for shearing.