Kensing, Robert

Kuykendall, Sam

Wade, Dale A.

English

OAKTrust Digital Repository (Texas A&M Univ)

L-1712IMPROVING RELATIONS BETWEEN LIVESTOCKOWNERS AND SHEARING CREWSRobert Kensing, Sam Kuykendall and Dale A. Wade*Shearing is an important part of the successfulmanagement of sheep or goat enterprises. Wool andmohair are major sources of income to stockmen, andearnings from shearing are a major source of incometo the shearer. Good relations between shearingcrews and livestock owners are valuable to all thoseinvolved.The number of skilled shearers has declined inrecent years. Sometimes lack of communication be-tween shearing crew leaders and livestock owners hasresulted in misunderstandings and disagreementsthat could have been averted. Following business-likeguidelines can help reduce the incidence of less thansatisfactory shearing arrangements.Concerns of RanchersRanchers are concerned that shearers keep ap-pointments and give notification of unavoidable de-lays in arrival. Also, short-handed shearing crews*Extension area economist - management, county Extensionagent - agriculture and Extension area wildlife specialist, TheTexas A&M University System.31.10cause delays in completing the shearing contract. In-experienced shearers may be responsible for poorworkmanship on both the animal and the fleece.Rough handling and actual maiming of animals byshearers also concern the ranchers. Equipment that isnot of good quality, not suitable for the specific job orthat breaks down causes delays.Concerns of Shearers and Crew LeadersShearers are concerned about the lack of clean,well-designed and comfortable shearing facilities.Lack of ventilation for reducing heat, dusty pens, dif-ficulty in penning animals and lack of shade contrib-ute to undesirable working conditions. Sometimesranchers fail to notify crew leaders of changes in plansor fail to give specific directions for finding the shear-ing location. Failure on the part of the rancher toprovide enough animals in the shearing pens to keepshearing crews busy causes delays and losses in poten-tial daily earnings for shearers. Maximum use of shedswould reduce delays caused by rain showers or earlymorning dews. Separating animals by class and condi-tion would minimize potential losses from crowding.Wool racks and other equipment, if furnished by theTe a Agricultural E tension Service • The Texa A&M UniverSItY System. aniel C. Pfannstiel, Dlr ctor • Colle Station, Te asrancher, should be adequate in number and in goodrepair.Guidelines for Rancher ResponsibilitiesFor best results, ranchers should consider and beresponsible for the following:• Contact leader of shearing crew several weeks inadvance to set date and indicate number of animalsto be shorn. Reconfirm date several days beforeshearing is scheduled to begin.• Have livestock ready when shearers arrive.• Pen animals several hours in advance to avoid han-dling and shearing sheep or goats while they areoverly full.• Avoid moves if possible. Shearing at one centrallocation saves the crew moving time.• Provide a clean and comfortable place to shear.1. A covered area with a concrete or wood floor isdesirable.2. Arrange for ventilation of facility if possible.3. Provide large and properly designed shearingboard when no permanent floor is available.4. Sprinkle pens before shearing if water is availa-ble.• otify crew leader of change in plans or postpone-ment of date as far in advance as possible.• Provide adequate help to pen animals and keepth m moving ahead of shearers.• Provide adequate grading -tables and wool racks toaccommodate the size of crew working.• Make prior arrangements with crew leader aboutwho furnishes special labor. (In some instances therancher may prefer to provide wool pick rs andsackers.)• Discuss all complaints with the shearing crewleader.Guidelines for Shearing Crew LeadersResponsibilities of a good shearing crew leader in-clude the following:• Maintain calendar of shearing dates.• Notify rancher of any anticipated delay in arrival atranch as far in advance as possible.• Arrive at designated shearing location on time.• Provide an adequate crew of skilled shearers fornumber of animals to be shorn.• Check equipment prior to shearing season andkeep it in good working order. Carry a supply of"high use" spare parts.• Train shearers and helpers to handle livestockgently to avoid causing injuries or death.• Consider rancher's viewpoint before including in-experienced shearers in crew.• Remove shearers who cut animals excessively orotherwise injure them. (These shearers may beplaced in another assignment.)• Cooperate with rancher on shearing out all animalsfrom a pasture or ranch. (When possible, avoidleaving small remnants for following day.)• Discuss complaints with rancher-owner.Observing these guidelines can make shearingtime more profitable and enjoyable for everyone con-cerned.Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people ofaU ages regardless ofsocia-economic level, race,color, sex, religion, or national origin.Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A&M University System and the United States Department ofAgriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914.5M - 3-79, ew AECO 6

Improving Relations between Livestock Owners and Shearing Crews.

Texas A&M University

L-1712
IMPROVING RELATIONS BETWEEN LIVESTOCK
OWNERS AND SHEARING CREWS
Robert Kensing, Sam Kuykendall and Dale A. Wade*
Shearing is an important part of the successful
management of sheep or goat enterprises. Wool and
mohair are major sources of income to stockmen, and
earnings from shearing are a major source of income
to the shearer. Good relations between shearing
crews and livestock owners are valuable to all those
involved.
The number of skilled shearers has declined in
recent years. Sometimes lack of communication be-
tween shearing crew leaders and livestock owners has
resulted in misunderstandings and disagreements
that could have been averted. Following business-like
guidelines can help reduce the incidence of less than
satisfactory shearing arrangements.
Concerns of Ranchers
Ranchers are concerned that shearers keep ap-
pointments and give notification of unavoidable de-
lays in arrival. Also, short-handed shearing crews
*Extension area economist - management, county Extension
agent - agriculture and Extension area wildlife specialist, The
Texas A&M University System.
31.10
cause delays in completing the shearing contract. In-
experienced shearers may be responsible for poor
workmanship on both the animal and the fleece.
Rough handling and actual maiming of animals by
shearers also concern the ranchers. Equipment that is
not of good quality, not suitable for the specific job or
that breaks down causes delays.
Concerns of Shearers and Crew Leaders
Shearers are concerned about the lack of clean,
well-designed and comfortable shearing facilities.
Lack of ventilation for reducing heat, dusty pens, dif-
ficulty in penning animals and lack of shade contrib-
ute to undesirable working conditions. Sometimes
ranchers fail to notify crew leaders of changes in plans
or fail to give specific directions for finding the shear-
ing location. Failure on the part of the rancher to
provide enough animals in the shearing pens to keep
shearing crews busy causes delays and losses in poten-
tial daily earnings for shearers. Maximum use of sheds
would reduce delays caused by rain showers or early
morning dews. Separating animals by class and condi-
tion would minimize potential losses from crowding.
Wool racks and other equipment, if furnished by the
Te a Agricultural E tension Service • The Texa A&M UniverSItY System. aniel C. Pfannstiel, Dlr ctor • Colle Station, Te as
rancher, should be adequate in number and in good
repair.
Guidelines for Rancher Responsibilities
For best results, ranchers should consider and be
responsible for the following:
• Contact leader of shearing crew several weeks in
advance to set date and indicate number of animals
to be shorn. Reconfirm date several days before
shearing is scheduled to begin.
• Have livestock ready when shearers arrive.
• Pen animals several hours in advance to avoid han-
dling and shearing sheep or goats while they are
overly full.
• Avoid moves if possible. Shearing at one central
location saves the crew moving time.
• Provide a clean and comfortable place to shear.
1. A covered area with a concrete or wood floor is
desirable.
2. Arrange for ventilation of facility if possible.
3. Provide large and properly designed shearing
board when no permanent floor is available.
4. Sprinkle pens before shearing if water is availa-
ble.
• otify crew leader of change in plans or postpone-
ment of date as far in advance as possible.
• Provide adequate help to pen animals and keep
th m moving ahead of shearers.
• Provide adequate grading -tables and wool racks to
accommodate the size of crew working.
• Make prior arrangements with crew leader about
who furnishes special labor. (In some instances the
rancher may prefer to provide wool pick rs and
sackers.)
• Discuss all complaints with the shearing crew
leader.
Guidelines for Shearing Crew Leaders
Responsibilities of a good shearing crew leader in-
clude the following:
• Maintain calendar of shearing dates.
• Notify rancher of any anticipated delay in arrival at
ranch as far in advance as possible.
• Arrive at designated shearing location on time.
• Provide an adequate crew of skilled shearers for
number of animals to be shorn.
• Check equipment prior to shearing season and
keep it in good working order. Carry a supply of
"high use" spare parts.
• Train shearers and helpers to handle livestock
gently to avoid causing injuries or death.
• Consider rancher's viewpoint before including in-
experienced shearers in crew.
• Remove shearers who cut animals excessively or
otherwise injure them. (These shearers may be
placed in another assignment.)
• Cooperate with rancher on shearing out all animals
from a pasture or ranch. (When possible, avoid
leaving small remnants for following day.)
• Discuss complaints with rancher-owner.
Observing these guidelines can make shearing
time more profitable and enjoyable for everyone con-
cerned.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people ofaU ages regardless ofsocia-economic level, race,
color, sex, religion, or national origin.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A&M University System and the United States Department of
Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914.
5M - 3-79, ew AECO 6


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Improving Relations between Livestock Owners and Shearing Crews.

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