Shearing cost

[shearerlad]

I charge £1.20 for shearing only. I would say £0.15 for rolling and packing wool.
However I did a small flock last year (23) and was handed an envelope and 2 pork chops. Opened the envelope when I got home to find £100

 

[MJT]

I charge £1.20 for shearing only. I would say £0.15 for rolling and packing wool.
However I did a small flock last year (23) and was handed an envelope and 2 pork chops. Opened the envelope when I got home to find £100

Nice when people appreciate your hard work ! As said before some people who have never shorn seem to think it's easy work and begrudge paying much for it. Always used to have contractors here but now do our own (1400) certainly makes you appreciate how hard a work it is .

 

[d-wales]

If I sheared I would look for £300 plus per day for an 7hr day, and work on that pro rata. By the time you've traveled and set up, time soon adds up

 

[neilo]

Does it make any difference what the sheep are? Last little lot I did (years ago) were all as fat as pigs and included a 5 year old whether (named 'Don't run away'). Bloody awful things to shear, but the 20ac of free grazing made it worth my while.

 

[ford4000]

Does it make any difference what the sheep are? Last little lot I did (years ago) were all as fat as pigs and included a 5 year old whether (named 'Don't run away'). Bloody awful things to shear, but the 20ac of free grazing made it worth my while.

Some contractors charge more for large sheep like mules.....even though 80% or more will have no belly wool and could be right flyers to shear in good condition at the right time! I'd rather shear them than some wooly, skinny little Welsh ewes any day.

 

[Tim W]

Anyone who shears my Charollais things deserves all of £1.50/ewe

 

[neilo]

Anyone who shears my Charollais things deserves all of £1.50/ewe

Shhh!

 

[ThatsSomeSheep]

i only charge the set up fee on small flocks. For a flock larger than 100 sheep its £1.20 per ewe £2.40 for tups thats not bad i dont think i know im not the dearist but im not the cheapest either.

Are you keen to do some clipping here in the Borders by any chance?

PM if you like.

TSS

 

[Castle Farm]

Last year I got charged £1 a sheep but he had the wool. (40)

 

[Nithsdale]

Nice when people appreciate your hard work ! As said before some people who have never shorn seem to think it's easy work and begrudge paying much for it. Always used to have contractors here but now do our own (1400) certainly makes you appreciate how hard a work it is .

The begrudging paying for shearing, comes from the fact wool is/was worth feck all, I think.

I started shearing my own after the wool cheque failed to pay for the shearers in 2004 IIRC, when I was 20. A decision I'm glad I made. I learned a new skill which will never leave me and I get a lot of satisfaction from the job. When the ewes are ready, and the weather is good - I actually really enjoy it. I shear with a good friend, between both farms we have around 1400-1500 sheep to do in total.

I do mind, the first few years, thinking 100 ewes in a day seemed a huge number... now I look at it as comfortable.

 

[tr250]

Anyone who shears my Charollais things deserves all of £1.50/ewe

Glad you said that. They are the most awful sheep to shear they kick like hell and are sticky

 

[ford4000]

Bought one of these last year....should keep me going without breaking myself for a few more years [emoji1]

 

[Philip Watkins]

@Gator what's your thoughts on this.

 

[scottish-lleyn]

View attachment 512782

Bought one of these last year....should keep me going without breaking myself for a few more years [emoji1]

make sure you use it properly up round your chest and not round your waist like ive seen a few people do that just makes your back worse.

 

[ford4000]

make sure you use it properly up round your chest and not round your waist like ive seen a few people do that just makes your back worse.

Ooh yes! That would be worse

Mind you first time I used it , I hung it too high and looked like a trapeze artist ! [emoji23]

 

[irish dom]

View attachment 512782

Bought one of these last year....should keep me going without breaking myself for a few more years [emoji1]

We have used them on our shearing trailer for 5 years now. Wouldnt dream of shearing without it. Been shearing sheep all week. Just not ready yet. Need rain and heat. Farmers losing the run of themselves with the dry weather

 

[Lovegoodstock]

Im in an area where you cant get staff, as too many jobs that pay a fortune for doing stuff like pushing a wheel barrow around a garden centre. So local shearers is not going to happen, last year used a shearer, that I have done for a decade, top top shearer that has been placed in international shearing competitions, would travel 120 miles, pay for accommodation, 2 shearers 1 wrapper, but get between me and 2 others 9 days work, touch over 5 thousand sheep, with wrapper 1.85 a sheep, there pen would never be empty, keep the sheep flowing, last year 70 per cent would be lambed ewe lambs, strong but average 70 kilo, ewes would hit 120k for an odd one, average 105, but thought very steep, changed this year to 150 with wrapper, and more ewes to ewe lambs. To be honest with no staff, id carry on paying 185 on the big girls than doing it myself, holding an odd one up with a prolapse myself, or an odd foot trim... that's ok but not 1300 more to come!!

 

[neilo]

Glad you said that. They are the most awful sheep to shear they kick like hell and are sticky

Ours broke one of our shearers a couple of years ago. By the end of the day, he was lying out stretching his back between each one. He's not been back for some reason.

 

[tr250]

Ours broke one of our shearers a couple of years ago. By the end of the day, he was lying out stretching his back between each one. He's not been back for some reason.

Ha no funny that. We have 2 charalais tups and love them but hate shearing them they are just so fit and strong

 

[Tim W]

Ours broke one of our shearers a couple of years ago. By the end of the day, he was lying out stretching his back between each one. He's not been back for some reason.

That big tup I got from you a couple of years back gives the shearers a run for their money ---- I wouldn't even attempt him myself