It is important when the shearer comes. Often, there is news of other sheep and other sheep dogs on other farms. Jim McRae trains border collies, so we can talk about dogs, he is an admirer of Red, who he says is an unusually calm working border collie. He also trims the hooves of the sheep, checks on their weight. He and his partner Tom do remarkably neat and gentle work, there was not a nick or cut on any of the ewes or wethers.

He says they all look great, their weight is good, their coats were clean and soft. They will be cool and comfortable for the warm weather approaching Sheep are funny when they are shorn, they don’t recognize one another and butt heads and run around in circles. They they re-acclimate and settle down.  Shearers tend to undercharge for the hard work they do and the long distances they travel. Jim lowers his prices when the cost of gas is low, but we always pay him more than he asks. It’s part of the process. And he deserves it.

The sheep were happy to pose for a group photograph. We got good and clean wool this time.