Out of the woolshed President of the NZ Shearing Contractors Association, Mark Barrowcliffe believes wool will still have its day, although admits the industry is currently battling the perfect storm. However, he is optimistic New Zealand will ride out the low wool price and shearer shortage. New Zealand currently has around 1,500 shearers with many following the worldwide circuit — the key to consistent work is ending up in the right place of the world at the right time to catch the seasonal shearing peaks.
With COVID-19 affecting the ability for shearers and shearing gangs to travel freely from country to country, the reality of a staffing shortage is beginning to show face and is expected to build throughout the main summer shear. Mark predicts the shortfall to be around 60 shearers, which at over 200 sheep a day over 4 or 5 months is a big tally of unshorn sheep. “Some of the shortage will be made up by Kiwis remaining here, but most of them would have followed the season and returned home anyway. Compounding the issue is the shortage
of shearers in Australia, meaning Australians are paying a premium for shearing which makes it hard for New Zealand to compete for staff. “The only thing holding Kiwi shearers in New Zealand is that they can’t easily get home and could have unpaid time and costs in quarantine. We are lucky our shearers and shed hands are family-orientated as that helps keep them here too." Despite the shortage of shearers, wool-handlers and pressers, there is an opportunity to train locals or displaced workers. More women becoming involved in shearing is also helping the skill shortage and the recent record-breaking shears by groups of women around the country is testament to the ability and skill available within the country. Mark says shearers and shed hands are a resilient bunch and working around the COVID-19 Alert Levels was just another unpredictability to add to the list. “We are happy to follow the protocols and processes in place for all levels. We are there to do the job safely for the animal, for the farmer and for the team of five million.” The wool opportunity Mark says it can be disheartening to see the farmers getting paid minimal value for their wool but is optimistic that the worth of the fibre will rise and sees it as an opportunity to look at value-add and new ideas. “We can’t keep producing plastic and throwing it away. Recyclable, reusable, sustainable wool and other fibres will have their day.
| The reality of a staffing shortage is beginning to show face and is expected to build throughout the main summer shear.
30 | THE FARMLANDER
“COVID-19 has changed it up with food being the only real commodity in demand. But this is also a chance to sort our own in-house business out and
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