Shearing gain

Press, 1 May 1981, Page 17

Shearing gain

Many are advanced why some farmers shear their sheep twice a year instead of only once. But Dr G. A. Wickham, of Massey University, told the seminar on the measurement and marketing of crossbred wool in Christchurch last week that the major reason why double shearing was still a widespread practice was that it produced half of the returns from wool six months earlier than with annual shearing and this made a substantial difference to cash flow and profitability in these days of high interest rates. However, Dr Wickham said that there was no evidence to suggest that sheep shorn twice each year produced significantly more wool than those shorn annually, at least in a May-

November shearing regime as against an annual November shearing.

Double-shorn wools did. however, generally show less yellow discolouration.

But Dr Wickham said it appeared that any additional return resulting from the better colour of the wool or reduced amounts of oddments could not make up for the additional shearing costs involved with shearing twice. A ewe with an eight to 10months fleece could, on a wet day, be carrying from five to 10 litres of water in its fleece. This additional weight, when the ewe was heavily in lamb, could mean that its movement around the hills was restricted, making such animals difficult to muster or move. Animals that were double-shorn were, therefore, easier to manage.