Keen young Shearers

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 34, 10 February 1987, Page 10

Keen young Shearers

Young shearers are more dedicated and improving faster, according to Wool Board Field Superintendent, Mr R. I. (Robin) Kidd. Trainee numbers have dropped slightly because of the downturn in farming but he sees greater enthusiasm. "You get very few who are indifferent. The young ones come because they want to come. It is one of the best opportunities nowadays to make good money in the rural area." Each year the Wool Board trains about 1,400 learners in woolsheds around the country. Another 700 attend three grades of advanced shearing courses held at Palmerston North, Christchurch and Balclutha. " Y ou still get a percentage of sixth-formers starting early to finance their way

through university and most courses would have at least one woman. The women set a good example; they have to handle the sheep properly because they cannot rely on sheer strength." "Among the advanced shearers, standards are still climbing. 1 am impressed by their dedication to improving their skills and lifting their productivity. Quality shearing is being well promoted by the competitions and many shearers respond to the fellowship and sense of unity in a gang that is working like a well-oiled machine." The Wool Board runs one-day refresher courses for trade shearers and others. Mr Kidd notices an increasing number of young farmers attending. "It's a sign of the times that some are joining with the neighbours to shear their own sheep," he says.