Shearing 2021

[Farmer_Joe]

Broke another comb today (that's 3 so far this season) it was just nicely run in, in its prime, 3 more grinds and it would be a nice lamb comb. Thank God it was only an el cheapo from George mudge. The heiniger I broke on its first go out last week made me cry.
I hate full belly fecking ewes

ive got some combs twice or 3 times sharpened and done prob 100 a comb, never managed that before,

got greedy and tried 3 cutters on a comb wont try that again

just 25 left to do im definitely getting faster now ive been doing it a few years.

I do get a huge sense of pride driving round them all clipped thinking, 'i did that'

 

[Estate fencing.]

ive got some combs twice or 3 times sharpened and done prob 100 a comb, never managed that before,

got greedy and tried 3 cutters on a comb wont try that again

just 25 left to do im definitely getting faster now ive been doing it a few years.

I do get a huge sense of pride driving round them all clipped thinking, 'i did that'

Keeping the comb on to long is false Economy. A butcher or chef doesn’t wait until the knife is blunt does he, keeps on sharpening it. I change comb every hour (2 hand pieces and combs a run). My combs and cutters stay sharp, and don’t have to take much metal off when I grind them.

 

[Stw88]

Aim to be on with crop next week so decided to see if a few ewes would clip a week early. Pleasantly surprised how good they were. Was a couple bit sticky on the tail head and 2 turned away but quite pleased. Fingers crossed todays are the same.

 

[AJR75]

Last 50 ewes of the season in tomorrow and then we're done. We're I would say 2 weeks behind where we were this time last year and I'm glad we're through now as thoughts are starting to turn to hay/ haylage. Generally speaking everything has clipped very well this year. Last year we we shearing in jumpers and literally having to peel the fleeces off in some cases. Definitely much easier season on the body this compared to last. Have also looked very hard at technique as well this time around and have found the videos by Robbie Hislop very informative and helpful.

 

[MRT]

I’ve just clipped my tups. I’ll leave the ewes to the real shearers, but sadly I forgot to take any photos . Far too many experts on here !.

I get comments about just about everyhting I do being wrong! Armchair heros - they can come and show me how its done any time!!

 

[Farmer_Joe]

Last 50 ewes of the season in tomorrow and then we're done. We're I would say 2 weeks behind where we were this time last year and I'm glad we're through now as thoughts are starting to turn to hay/ haylage. Generally speaking everything has clipped very well this year. Last year we we shearing in jumpers and literally having to peel the fleeces off in some cases. Definitely much easier season on the body this compared to last. Have also looked very hard at technique as well this time around and have found the videos by Robbie Hislop very informative and helpful.

You got any links I always like so improve makes job easier

 

[yellowbelly]

You got any links I always like so improve makes job easier

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shearing+school+robbie+hislop

 

[Farmer_Joe]

assuming that guys doing the strokes something like im on the mark, dont step over quite as quick might be worth trying that... i tend to do that as i do the strokes near the head.

notice he has stupid worm drive work of the devil...swapped mine after first year to pin!!!

 

[tepapa]

You got any links I always like so improve makes job easier

If you want to learn all the tricks, there's a shearing app called Lojik in the apple or play store, £9.99/month worth every penny if you want to improve your shearing. Then cancel after a month if you've watched all the videos or at the end of the season. Then subscribe again next year.

 

[AJR75]

@tepapa is that the one that's presented by a chap called "blackie"?

 

[tepapa]

@tepapa is that the one that's presented by a chap called "blackie"?

Yep, Dwayne Black

 

[shearerlad]

Robbie and Blackie’s videos are very good.

The Lojik app has lots of things in it, and his Facebook stuff is brilliant too. No messing about, straight facts.
I was on a course with Robbie a month ago. £140 well spent.

 

[tepapa]

Robbie and Blackie’s videos are very good.

The Lojik app has lots of things in it, and his Facebook stuff is brilliant too. No messing about, straight facts.
I was on a course with Robbie a month ago. £140 well spent.

I wish the Lojik app was around 20 yrs ago, I'd have shorn a load more sheep a lot easier if it had. .
Can't beat a hands on course either, if I was still shearing numbers I'd go down to Matt Smith and then up to Robbie.

 

[Paul86]

What's a good number per hour for sheep sheared? Do me own here, second year at it now. 26 a hour is my best going normally be around 24 or that.. I know lads that are away at it every day would be doing far more but for a farmer just doing his own?

 

[tepapa]

What's a good number per hour for sheep sheared? Do me own here, second year at it now. 26 a hour is my best going normally be around 24 or that.. I know lads that are away at it every day would be doing far more but for a farmer just doing his own?

24-26/hr for a farmer is good enough, there's no rush for you to get through them. Contractors will be doing 40-50/ hr depending on the sheep.

 

[Estate fencing.]

What's a good number per hour for sheep sheared? Do me own here, second year at it now. 26 a hour is my best going normally be around 24 or that.. I know lads that are away at it every day would be doing far more but for a farmer just doing his own?

That’s pretty good I would say for second year. I do about 30/35 hour mules or 25/30 Romney’s. But I’m not the best shearer just a farmer shearer who does a bit on the side.

 

[Fat Lamb]

assuming that guys doing the strokes something like im on the mark, dont step over quite as quick might be worth trying that... i tend to do that as i do the strokes near the head.

notice he has stupid worm drive work of the devil...swapped mine after first year to pin!!!

If you hit a bit of fence wire or something that causes your handpiece to lockup then you'll realise what a benifit worm drive over pin is.

 

[shearerlad]

assuming that guys doing the strokes something like im on the mark, dont step over quite as quick might be worth trying that... i tend to do that as i do the strokes near the head.

notice he has stupid worm drive work of the devil...swapped mine after first year to pin!!!

The worm drive is a safety feature that’s there for a reason. Would you use a PTO without a guard?

 

[Kingcustard]

I shear with a pin drive and a flexi cable, used to get funny looks when I set up from all the so called experts but knocking off 300 a day soon changes their opinions.

I have hit a few bits of wire in my time but if you are holding the hand piece lightly enough it just spins out if your hand.

I learned the Bowen method but being 6 foot 6 I have got my own little quirks which again people scoff at..... when push comes to shove the technique is irrelevant, the main thing is the sheep is clipped without stress, without cuts and knicks, and you are able to clip the number you want without passing out.

Shearing snobbery is usually reserved for those that have not, cannot or will not shear a sheep.

 

[Kingcustard]

Even had a rep come round one day I was clipping and started telling me how wrong I was doing it and how I would be thrown out of the shearing competitions that he judges.

Went to see him clipping the next year and he may have had a great "competition" technique but the ewes were cut to buggery and he was slow.