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| I hate seeing post like this but I guess it’s my turn. We are the last ones standing that raise sheep in any capacity in this area. Everyone has either sold out or went to farming alone. Our sheep have been a great side business to our cattle for generations. As you can imagine it’s an issue with every else gone when it comes to getting a shearing crew to come into the area.
Iv really reduced numbers and run around 300 head of them now. Polypay ewes, texel ewes, and Suffolk rams. Iv sheared all 300 myself the past couple years. That’s a lot for one person to get done, I don’t care who you are!!! I don’t mind it but it does take 1 person a long time. Iv built an air conditioner shearing trailer and special chute set up for 4 guys to make life easier. With all that and free meals, still can’t get help.
At what point (I feel like I’m there) would you consider hair sheep? I feel like I’m burning a cross on my father, grandfather and great grandfathers grave. But I’m not getting any younger. Those of you that shear your own, are you still running big numbers?? What was your reason for moving to hair besides shearing alone? Obviously the wool is compost material. But was the reduction in # of lambs born and reduction in revenue worth it? Hair was never popular in this region.
My ewes are on pasture during the summer, drylot in winter. Lambs are generally on a creep feeder and sold to a packer about #140
Edited by A&M 5/16/2025 13:33
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Shearing trouble. Miss the old days
