It was a rare moment at the Central Hawke’s Bay A and P Show in November when the open shearing final was won by a competitor who had never previously a top grade title.
That competitor was Aaron Haynes. And if his name sounds familiar there is good reason why.
The 31-year-old from Palmerston North match-raced 2010 world champion Cam Ferguson, of Waipawa, and effectively pressured the local hope out of contention in the 20-sheep final.
Despite being a regular finalist, twice Golden Shears open runner-up and being a New Zealand team member Haynes had not claimed a winning ribbon since the Pahiatua Shears senior final in 2010, in a season he ended ranked No 1 in the grade nationwide.
“It was a seriously intense competition in the Bay,” he said.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of coming out in first place. I’ve always had a big passion for shearing. So, to win a competition like this was quite special.”
Haynes enjoys the physical challenge of it.
“You finish a day’s work shearing and you certainly feel as though you’ve earned your tucker.”
Shearing was a passion that dominated Haynes’ teenage years.
He grew up on a 303ha hill country property at Utawai, north of Apiti in Manawatu.
“It was the best childhood I could’ve ever asked for.
“Sure, we didn’t have technology like we do now but I felt I had more opportunity than I needed.”
Surrounded by sheep and beef farms, shearing taught Haynes a good work ethic as well as providing income.
“A career in sheering was always on the cards, I guess, because I love it.
“But I wanted to back it up with a qualification,” he said.
In 2006 Haynes moved to South Canterbury to study for an agriculture and farm management diploma at Lincoln University, which reinforced his desire to continue working in the primary sector.
“My involvement in the industry never stopped. I sheared right through my time at university and, as a result, I was lucky enough to finish my studies debt-free.”
Not long after he graduated Haynes packed his bags and set off on a world trip for five years, using shearing as a way to fund his travels.
“I chased the shearing seasons year-round,” he said.
“I’d shear in NZ for the summer months then head to Wales or Scotland in mid May.
“That’d take me through until about mid August and then I’d head to Australia.
“It was a hell of a time – a great experience, that’s for sure.”
But returning home permanently was always on the cards and so too was settling his own farm.
In 2017 he couldn’t believe his luck when he saw a particular piece of land advertised.
“It was a local property for a reasonable price.
“I see this place as a great stepping stone for something bigger later in my farming career.”
His 30ha property at Kairanga, near Palmerston North, is home to 130 Romney finishing lambs.
The sheep are bought, taken to Haynes’ block to be drafted, shorn and finished.
“I finish about 1000 lambs a year on it. It’s mostly winter trading,” he said.
“It’s a highly fertile block and really productive for what it is.”
Haynes is a still a shearer for medium-sized business Scott Bailey. And in his, albeit limited, spare time he shears his own sheep.
“I run my own property after hours.
“There’s quite a few nights where I come home and there’s a fair few sheep to shear.”
Since buying his property Haynes has replaced most of his fences, installed a new water system and built new sheep and cattle yards, making it easier for use.
“It’s set up basically so it’s cheap enough to work. My mother can run the animals on the farm with ease,” he said.
“We’ve also regrassed the whole farm and drained it.
“There was no drainage before I owned the property. But last winter we noticed our new drainage system made a huge difference with our grass growing faster.”
In mid January Haynes sheared 610 ewes in nine hours on Flock Hill farm north of Kimbolton.
It is no mean feat. And it was a personal best. In fact, Haynes believes no one in Manawatu has broken his record.
“It was just about attaining a personal best.
“The farm’s manager Steve Rush was willing for me shear their ewes.
“He farms about 5500 ewes so I was fortunate to be able to choose which ones I wanted.”
Haynes spread word of his record-attempt and about 50 local farmers turned up for the occasion.
“I didn’t see exactly how many attended as I was pretty busy at the time,” he said, laughing.
Looking ahead, Haynes wants to get a hill country property to establish a breeding unit.
“But until then I’ll keep competing.”
