A spell of warm, dry lockdown weather has eased the pressure on South Island shearers.
Juggling the inclement weather leading into the covid-induced Level 4 lockdown falling at their busiest time of the year created some initial worry, Waimate Shearing contractor Warren White says.
“It was looking to be a very stressful situation for the industry, but we have been very, very lucky the weather has played ball,” White said.
With lambing due to start on Canterbury and Otago hill and backcountry farms, timing is critical for pre-lamb shearing.
Shearing of finishing lambs destined for processing is also a big part of business at this time of the year.
“We have had a good run, but I know there are some contractors who are up to 10 days behind, especially down Otago way, and 10 days is all very critical when it comes to pre-lamb shearing and once you get behind it’s hard to catch up, more especially under lockdown conditions,” he said.
But White, who has a team of 35 currently shearing up the Hakataramea Valley in South Canterbury, says everyone is doing their best.
“Everyone is under pressure with the rules and regulations to keep safe,” he said.
New Zealand Shearing Contractors’ association president and King Country-based shearer Mark Barrowcliffe says shearers are practical people and where there’s a job to do, they will get it done.
“Of course, with lockdown and fewer staff it’s slow going, dragging each shed out longer than normal,” Barrowcliffe said.
“Then there’s the challenge of creating shearing bubbles and working within that on-farm too.”
Barrowcliffe says this Level 4 lockdown has been easier.
“We knew we could carry on with what we had to do, it was like flicking a switch and putting the learnings in place from last time,” he said.
“The South Island has copped a bit more than the North Island generally because it’s a busier period of work down there.
“The North Island is down to skeleton staff and has not got the ability to respond as quickly out of lockdown, but that’s the nature of our business, every area has its specific challenges at specific times of the seasons.”
Barrowcliffe says the industry is generally struggling for staff.
“We are as light as we have ever been so we have no extra crew we can call on because the people are not there to do it.”
Under Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) covid protocols shearing is considered an essential service when it is necessary for animal welfare and cannot be deferred.
Shearers are required to operate in a way that minimises the risk of covid transmission by, for example, minimising interactions among staff and wearing masks.
