Shearing Day Report -- Part II

Those who came to Shearing Day on March 1 (and there were about 180 visitors) were able to watch the shearing process. Here are some of the ladies before they were shorn.

And here is Timothy, at the beginning of the day. He sheared over 80 sheep, taking his time and talking, from 9 am - 4 pm, with a short break for lunch. He gently holds each ewe in position as he uses his electric clippers.

After the fleece is off, and the shorn ewe runs off to join her friends, we skirt the fleece. We lay the fleece cut side down on a skirting table (wire panel on the top of a hay feeder) and pick out the extremely hay-filled part by the neck, and any dreadlocks or manure.

We had a great skirting crew this year, which allowed me to do a bit more talking than usual.

The fleece is put into a large bag suspended on a stand. Here the guys are replacing the full bag with an empty one. Thanks to Sherry for this picture! (For more of Sherry's photos, check out her facebook page.)

All in all it was a good day.

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