A resurged effort to train shearers and woolhandlers would pay off in the shearing shed and on the sale floor, according to Tom Kelly, Sports Shear Victoria president.
Mr Kelly was talking to Merino wool growers at the recent Gippsland Sheepbreeders Association annual wether production trial, in his role as a shearing instructor. He was joined by other shearing instructors, Stuart Neal and Rick Hodge, and Marion Kelly, woolhandler trainer and a past Australian champion and current judge for the Trans-Tasman championships. “Wool growers put so much effort into their genetics and farming practices, it’s worth their while to have shearers and wool handlers who are well skilled in the shearing shed,” Tom Kelly said.
“Training in the workplace adds value to the wool clip – through improved shearing and skirting techniques and mutual respect across the workforce – and the sheep go back to the paddock ready to grow lambs and wool again.
“It’s the quickest way to get a good outcome for increasing value of the fleece to the producer.”
Techniques included handling bigger sheep and fleeces, maintaining and sharpening shearing gear and communication across the value chain from the wool handler to the wool broker and between the shearer and the wool handler.
“We emphasise that a team approach across the value chain improves the value of the fleece to the wool grower. For instance, we’ve seen communication between the wool handler and the wool broker improves their understanding of not only their distinct roles in the value chain but also improves the quality of the fleece and clip for the wool grower,” Mr Kelly said.
While technique was the main emphasis of training in the shearing shed, Mr Kelly said illicit drug use and alcohol abuse was included in general discussion.
“Unfortunately it’s in all walks of life and an issue in society. The shearer and wool handler industry is not isolated but it’s something we don’t tolerate,” he said.
“Sports Shear Australia has a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. If people are identified, they are asked to vacate the premises and they find it hard to sustain work.”
He said the Shearing Contractors association had flagged an agenda item for its May annual general meeting, to discuss ice and other illegal drug use and alcohol abuse.
“No doubt there will be things that come back to use about what to emphasise during training,” Mr Kelly said.
