[juliem]

The chap I rent my fields to is having someone come to sheer the sheep this Sat.....the chap is coming on his own for the first time...and so he will be short of someone to fold the fleeces up. He has about 35 ewes.

Never having done this before..is it complicated and should I volunteer?

[Bionic]

It isn't complicated but they aren't just bundled up in a heap.


If you want to volunteer then I am sure you can find out how to do it on utube or even ask him to show you how to do the first one.


I find that the professional shearers are pretty quick so you have to be on the ball moving the fleece out of the way so that he can get on with the next one.

[SallyintNorth]

Here you go : http://www.britishwool.org.uk/page/producer-services/wool-on-the-farm/fleece-presentation.php

[Foobar]

You will be better off just having a large tarp laid out ready where you can "put" the fleeces (either lay them out flat or just put in mini piles,, whatever way is easiest so that you can separate them later). Then once the shearer has gone, you can go through the fleeces and roll them up properly at your own pace. There is no way you will keep up with the speed of the shearer .

[Penninehillbilly]

Here you go : http://www.britishwool.org.uk/page/producer-services/wool-on-the-farm/fleece-presentation.php

Well, that makes it SOUND simple.  .
I may be finding out later today.

[pharnorth]

As Foobar says.  Main thing is to,get them out of the shearers way and put somewhere clean. I put mine on a large tarpaulin and fold it over them as soon as done to keep them cleanish then can roll and bag later after a nice cup of tea.

[nimbusllama]

The chap I rent my fields to is having someone come to sheer the sheep this Sat.....the chap is coming on his own for the first time...and so he will be short of someone to fold the fleeces up. He has about 35 ewes.

Never having done this before..is it complicated and should I volunteer?

Let us know how you got on ?

[juliem]

Yes we got it done with some help and tips from the shearer .Surprised the fleeces were so delicate and initially had difficulty laying the fleeces out on the ground .Never did manage to recognize the head from the tail .All a bit rough and ready .Assume sheep kept for their wool have more robust fleeces .The shearer emphasized that it needs to be rolled as small /tight as possible. Bits with faeces on were put to one side(not sure if I WAS BEING A BIT TOO SELECTIVE /FUSSY) and I have put these round my runner beans.(shearer suggested this.) Is this to deter slugs ? What do other owners do with these bits as they won't burn
General consensus was that the pay for the fleeces was not going to be a lot....so not worth putting a great deal of effort into presentation.
The lanolin coating on my hands was a unexpected bonus but not the bruises on my arms.
Only did 28 ewes so will have another go next year and hopefully perfect my technique.

[Penninehillbilly]

Friend did mine Saturday , but as I was being bitten by horseflies (No advance warning from him, he just turned up, so no chance to put long sleeved shirt on), I had to leave them to it while I dashed off for cream and tablet, when I got back he'd put it all in his vehicle, I would have liked to see the fleece off my white one, it looked good while it was still on her. ?.
Fleece is supposed to deter slugs, but also breaks down and feeds soil, along with any muck washing through of course.

[shep53]

Will ask you to come and do mine juliem now your a professional      three shearers  400+ sheep  maybe 5hrs with food breaks ,  what do you think 

[fsmnutter]

Took me more than 5 hours to shear my 22 ewes over two sessions this weekend, thankfully it did give my budding vet student assistant plenty time to roll fleeces as I sheared!

[bazzais]

You can put dags in your water but for the garden