Winter shorn bellies good for sheep and wool

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 1, 3 June 1987, Page 7

Winter shorn bellies good for sheep and wool

More North Island woolgrowers on an annual shearing regime shoula consider taking off a full belly at crutching but leaving it on at main shearing, according to the Wool Board. "Many South Island farmers have been doing it for 25 years or more," says the Board's field superintendent, Mr R I (Robin) Kidd. "It looks odd for a few days after shearing, but that soon disappears and the system has many advantages for the sheep and the wool." Mr Kidd says it started in the south because sheep on crop would be up to their bellies in winter mud, but other benefits soon became apparent. The sheep dry out more quickly after rain, and this means there is less likelihood of a hold-up at main shearing in

November. The system spreads the shearing and wool handling workload more evenly through the year. There is usually more time to spare at crutching, and the main shear goes faster without the bellies to handle. Mr Kidd says the South Island practice is to take a full crutch, the belly and a little at the top of the flanks. The brisket area should be completely removed with the belly, and there is a full eyeclip. At main shearing, a little care is needed. The shearer makes the first blow of the long blow with the top tooth off the skin - and similarly with the first blow of the last side. "That gives a neatly trimmed edge," he says. Bellies shorn in the winter are generally brighter and sounder and should command a better price, says the Board's National Wool Production

Manager, Mr

L.K.

(Lance)

Wiggins. "Because the belly has been shorter through the winter and spring, there is not as much* discoloured, cotted and yellow wool. With luck, it will have had good growing conditions through summer and autumn." The brisket wool should be taken out if it is stained and the belly is of good colour. Bellies from rams or wethers should be kept separate from ewe bellies and should have the pizzle stain completely removed. They should be put up as a line or binned by the broker. "For those parts of the North Island where there is full-wool shearing, the system is very relevant and deserves consideration," says Mr Wiggins. "If the grower gets a good cheque, what does it matter if the neighbours laugh!" he said.