AS SEEN IN ASPIRE MAGAZINE (AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021)
As we enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather, you may have noticed a change in the usual Dales scenery... our woolly friends in the fields have had a haircut!
Sheep shearing occurs once a year, usually between May and August here in the North, and is not only refreshing and beneficial to a flock's health but vital.
However, in recent years, a rising number of animal rights groups have taken issue with the practice, claiming it's cruel and unnecessary. Groups such as PETA have released images and articles which misrepresent the industry and perpetuate falsehoods. One of their most famous campaign images pictures a man holding a large dummy lamb covered in cuts and blood; essentially skinned, not sheared. The tagline reads "here's the rest of your wool coat". Of course, in reality, that's not how a freshly sheared sheep looks at all. PETA and other such groups - largely run by people with little to no knowledge of the industry they're out to dismantle - rely on scaremongering tactics and a lack of industry understanding amongst the general public for their campaigns to gain traction.
Alongside claims the wool industry is cruel, they believe it's a threat to the planet and should be boycotted when shopping for your winter wardrobe. However, as a natural, biodegradable by-product, wool couldn't be more sustainable. Of course, these groups believe farmers only shear for financial benefit and that wool is just another money-making scheme we can exploit animals for. In truth, with the wool industry, as it stands, the majority of farmers lose money by shearing their flock. In most cases, professional shearing contractors are brought in to complete the task and their fee, alongside shipping costs for the bags of wool and the wages of other labourers there to help out with the big job, come to much more than they receive for the wool they sell. In fact, last year saw a number of farmers sadly forced to burn the wool as it was the most financially viable option.
As is often the case, education - or a lack thereof - is the issue. Unless a specific effort is made to learn about agriculture and farming, those who don't come from or work in the industry have very little understanding of it, for which they can't be blamed. Agriculture and food/material production should be part of the national curriculum, but that's another subject!
For now, here's a little basic information about the shearing practice and a few simple answers should your kids ask "where did the sheep's wool go?"
MAKING THE MOST OF WOOL…
Wool is a natural fibre grown on sheep that roam freely in the countryside and on the hills of the UK. Sheep re-grow their fleece every year, making wool one of the most sustainable fibres available. Farming also helps to preserve the UK’s landscapes, as sheep grazing maintains our countryside, creating habitats for wildlife to thrive.
As long as there is grass for sheep to eat, wool can be produced, in contrast to synthetic fibres, which require oil and refineries, a non-renewable resource for man-made fibre production.
An advantageous aspect of British wool is that it’s a truly dynamic fibre, used to create a broad range of beautiful, versatile and durable products, including carpets, bedding, clothing, insulation, furniture, craft materials and more.
Renowned for its intense moisturising and healing qualities, naturally occurring Lanolin is found in many skin and hair care products.
Sheep shearing is a skilled profession carried out by experts who have been specially trained to shear carefully and sympathetically. British Wool is the approved provider for shearing and wool handling training in the UK, with a programme designed to support candidates of all abilities.
DID YOU KNOW?
An experienced shearer will clip on average 300 sheep per day! That's a hard day's graft!
SHEARING FOR ANIMAL WELFARE...
Shearing improves a sheep's condition and causes no pain or discomfort.
Why do we shear?...
· To prevent parasitic infestation and disease (Flystrike) - During the warmer weather, the fleeces become contaminated with dirt, sweat and fluids, attracting flies, which lay their eggs. After hatching, the maggots bury themselves in the wool and eventually under the skin, feeding off their flesh.
· To reduce the risk of sheep becoming ‘rigged’ or stuck on their backs, which can make them vulnerable to attack by crows or other predators.
· To avoid heat stress – Wool is nature’s best insulator and protects sheep from cold in winter. However, wearing a thick, heavy fleece during the summer months is uncomfortable and stressful. Shearing during the late spring/early summer is ideal as it allows sheep to have adequate wool growth to keep them cool in the summer (and avoid sunburn) and re-grow a full fleece in time for winter.
To find out more, make sure to visit the British wool website, there are some fantastic, informational videos and a section for kids, too.
Local agricultural summer shows and farm parks, such as Hesketh Farm Park in Bolton Abbey, are a great place to take the kids for a fun-filled, educational day out.
Or, simply ask a local farmer, there's plenty around and he or she will be happy to explain why they do what they do.
INSTAGRAM: @britishwool @campainforwool @deedaggett @djwsheepdogs
Photos courtesy of A J Stockdale Shearing, Steph Tyson and DJW Sheepdogs.
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