Farming art that could offer shear fulfilment
SHEEP shearer Jason Rangeley says the art is like a dance, in that it is all about footwork.
Mastering that bit, he added, means the rest just falls into place. Managing a handpiece, and cutting and combs, to ensure each sheep enjoys a tidy clean haircut.
This year, as British Wool launches its sheep shearing courses across Britain, will be Mr Rangeley’s sixth as an instructor.
For the fourth-generation farmer from Sherburn-in-Elmet, it is passing on a tradition to hundreds of new farmers as they master the art.
“Anybody can shear a sheep,” he said. “They can all come and learn. It is a hard, physical job, but it can be made easier.
“And it’s rewarding, when you do a good job. Especially so when you see that sheep then walking away downthefield.
“It’s not just about getting the wool off,” he added. “I like it to be clean, to get every bit off. They are as soft as a baby’s bottom, by the time I finish.”
British Wool shearing courses, with a long list planned across Yorkshire from Pickering to Hull and the middle of the M62, saw some 800 people sign up last year.
This is not a dying trade, and certificates are recognised worldwide meaning some young farmers can turn their hand as far afield as New Zealand.
There are beginner levels, to advanced Gold Seal, with courses typically running over two days between April and August.
Mr Rangeley, who is aged 43, now has 150 sheep of his own, was self taught as a younger man. A decade ago he went on his first course and it changed his life, he said.
“I had so many bad habits,” he said. “This teaches you footwork, which is paramount. And the little things, like how to hold a leg.”
Now, those joining the courses are varied. A former Army instructor, wanting to learn to look after his neighbours’ sheep. A 14-yearold hill farmer, who Mr Rangeley said will go far.
“It’s not just young lads – there’s lasses coming through who are every bit as good,” he said.
“They go away, that first year, and shear a sheep. Then they shear 50, or 100 the next year. They are building confidence as they go.”
A professional can shear a sheep in as little as 40 seconds. Mr Rangeley averages around two-and-a-half minutes, he said.
“I love shearing,” he added. “I can shear 150 sheep a day, quite happily, but I take my time. I judge as well, you see, looking for what we call ‘'blow marks’ – even 2mm of wool.
“It’s important teaching a younger generation to do it. New shearers are coming through, and sticking at the job. You’ve got to be dedicated to do it. It does make the job more enjoyable, to do it well.
“I always describe it as a dance,” he added. “If you get the footwork right, everything else fits into place.”
For a list of courses in Yorkshire, visit britishwool.org.uk.