South Australian shearers brace for a tough season without as much support from New Zealand and interstate contractors
The shearing season will stretch out longer than normal this year as South Australians work hard to cover the gap without nearly as many interstate or New Zealand contractors.
SA News
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Shearing sheep is hard work at the best of times, but getting the job done in the middle of a pandemic will be an especially tough gig.
Glenn Haynes, executive officer of Shearing Contractors of Australia Association’s shearing and wool handling training body, says about 180 New Zealanders normally touch down in the South-East each year to help with the shearing effort.
This year, amid COVID-19, the area’s main saving grace is a dual-edged sword – the drought in other parts of the state means harvest workers with less work up north and on the Eyre Peninsula, will be looking for shearing jobs in the region.
But it’s still going to be a tough slog, Mr Haynes says, and the season beginning in September will stretch out longer than normal because of a shortage of workers available from across the country – and the ditch.
Contractors have managed to secure travel permits for about 13 shearing staff from New Zealand, who will quarantine on arrival in Adelaide.
The next challenge will be finding a seat on a flight over from Auckland.
“There will be some people that will shear later than normal – those guys that would normally shear in November and December will shear in February,” Mr Haynes said.
“It’s created more ongoing work for locals. Are we going to battle? Yeah, but we’ll get them done – I’m 100 per cent confident we’ll get them done.”
One positive outcome was the opportunity for younger shearers to learn the ropes.
