Shearing

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Reasons for winter-spring shearing may include:

  • Improved wool growth and quality.

  • Increased lamb birthweight.

  • Better lamb survivability.

  • Increased ewe feed intake.

  • Reduced ewe casting.

The classic Boy Scouts motto “Be prepared” may not earn you a badge this winter but will help to set you up for success. Without a reasonable plan in place to manage winter shearing, it can cause more issues than it solves. Many consider this event at every stage of the year with things like the decision to belly-crutch in the autumn, winter crop planning and when sheltered blocks get grazed.

Feed demand of shorn ewes in winter increases by up to 30% in the month after shearing and it takes two weeks for the grease levels to get back in balance and provide water resistance. Increasing lamb birthweights are typically seen if the ewe has the means to grow a bigger lamb. She needs to have a body condition score of 3 or above to put the extra energy into growing the lamb, rather than putting it on her own back.

Shearing in late pregnancy (within 6 weeks of lambing) has less consistent advantages than mid-pregnancy shearing (14-7 weeks pre lambing). The yarding, cold and nutritional stress in late pregnancy increases the risk of metabolic disease at a critical point in pregnancy, plus can drain the energy that would normally go into building fat stores in the late gestation foetus, reducing lamb vigor.

Overall, pre-lamb shearing does have benefits, but it pays to revise preparations regularly.

Animal health check list for shearing:

  • FEC ewes 1 month prior to see if winter worm burden significant. Some ewes may benefit from mid winter drench more than a pre-lamb drench.

  • Lice control/eradication plan. It is more than just a pour-on. An annual plan will achieve best results. New products available have changed this space.

  • Minerals: Did you address Iodine pretup? The best time for iodine in the system is mid pregnancy when the foetus needs it most.

  • Shearing time welfare management (will have more about this in the July issue)

    • Get supplies and a plan to manage cuts and wounds with topical or injectable products. Some of these can be used to treat lameness as well.

    • Have some metabolics on hand for any sleepy sickness.

  • Feed and shelter planning is the biggie. What can we do to feed ewes 1.5x maintenance for 14 days after shearing? Its likely to involve something out of a silo, stack or plastic wrapping this year.