Author Topic: Shearing for showing (Read 2569 times)

Blinkers · « **on:** April 13, 2012, 02:49:35 pm »

This is going to be our second year at some 'have-a-go-sheepshowing'

Our first show won't be until about July but I wonder when I should get the 'show' sheep sheared?? Having spoken to several people in the local feed stores this morning (and who no doubt are going to Builth Wells at the end of May), they've all sheared.....ages ago!!!!! I just worry about them getting cold

Advice from all those experienced showers of sheep much appreciated

VSS · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2012, 02:52:23 pm »

ASAP!

Fleecewife · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2012, 04:12:46 pm »

Though just check the schedule, rules or whatever, that your breed is not shown in full fleece. At the Royal Highland Show in late June, all Shetlands, and Hebridean ewes which have borne a lamb are shown in full fleece (Heb tups and shearling ewes are shown shorn - some people shear in Jan then house the sheep - not playing the game for primitives

When we have shown (not this year - taking a break) we hand shear in early May which is just about soon enough in the case of Hebs.

Fronhaul · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2012, 05:26:46 pm »

Some of the serious show people shear at the beginning of January and then house the sheep. With a resident shearer on the farm I blush to admit we haven't done the show team yet and I am so slack that I haven't even made final decisions about who is in the show team yet.

Can you card yours? If so you will need to card hard and regularly. It does make a significant difference. We are aiming to have the show team in the barn by the beginning of May, shorn and in training. Late but it will have to do as the lambing ewes come first.

Hazelwood Flock · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:30:26 pm »

Greyface Dartmoors are shown in full fleece until 10th june, then shorn after that. General guidelines for shearing GFDs is not to shear before the 1st of april if not showing early, and to have all sheep (including lambs) shorn by 31st july so the lambs are woolled up enough for inspection in the autumn/winter.
Hope that helps!