Sheep shearing courses attract record number of young people

There has been a big increase in the number of young people attending shearing courses this year, according to the British Wool Marketing Board.

Almost 1400 people attended the Wool Board's sheep shearing courses during 2007 - and over one third were young people who were taking up shearing for the first time.

The Wool Board has seen an upward trend in the demand for training across all levels. Courses providing training in the maintenance of shearing equipment catered for over 300 individuals while there was an equally positive uptake for courses throughout the UK providing training in a range of sheep management tasks.

Colin MacGregor, the British Wool Marketing Board's Shearing Manager, said he was "extremely encouraged" by the figures.

"It's very rewarding to know that so many young people are keen to master sheep shearing techniques and that the Wool Board can continue to lead the way in maintaining high standards of shearing sheep.

"As well as providing a pool of expertise here in the UK, the rapid improvement in UK shearing skills has been clearly proved in the success enjoyed by British shearers in competition against some of the best of the world's shearers in New Zealand earlier this year," said Mr MacGregor.

Training courses organised by the British Wool Marketing Board covering a wide range of sheep management skills have been held at venues throughout the UK during 2007.

Sheep health, hoof care, sheepdog handling and lambing have all been covered during the year and while a new programme is currently being planed for 2008 the Wool Board welcomes suggestions from sheep farmers.

"We're always keen to hear from producers who feel there are management topics that would appeal to other sheep keepers if they were the subject of a training course and urge anyone with any suggestions to contact us," added Mr MacGregor.

Anyone requiring information on future British Wool Marketing Board training courses or who has suggestions for new courses should contact the relevant area contact:

Northern & Central England Fiona McNulty 01274 688666

South England Alison Gould 01392 477944

Wales Diana Lavers 01686 626811

Scotland Donna MacKenzie 01877 339657

Northern Ireland Gary Haslem 028 94426704