Shear delight for students
The intricacies of wool growing and sheep meat production – and even a lesson in sheep tossing – proved an eye opener for Year 2 students in Mildura.
Local veterinarian Dr Bill Sutherland facilitated a fascinating visit to a working farm which combines traditional sheep wool and meat flocks, together with a more modern and lucrative genetics industry involving the production and sale of frozen embryos.
Farm owner Brendan talked for a while about his business outlets. He has recently sold off the bulk of his Merino flock and is now concentrating on Dorper meat-producing sheep.
Bill impressed on the students the inevitability for station owners to put health problems on hold because they need to work to continue to earn and support their family. Brendan described a close neighbour who has serious mental health problems and depression because he finds it difficult to cope with drought, poor production etc. Hopefully the students took in the messages here.
It was fascinating to hear Brendan describe his farm as being in “the suburbs” only about two hours of a town and shops!
Next it was off to the shearing shed to discover how Dorper rams are thrown onto their backs for veterinary inspection. These beasts weigh 100kg and although they are docile and compliant once on their backs, they are not so keen to be grabbed and thrown in the first instance.
There were also three merino ewes in the shed for a shearing experience. One poor old girl bore the brunt of the students’ fumbling attempts and came away looking quite motley and moth-eaten!
Brendan’s wife Maureen put on her usual excellent spread for ‘smoko’ and Gerald was so impressed he took several photos.
The trip home was drama-packed. The very new work car developed a problem, resulting in an unbearably loud, constant metallic squealing noise. We drove back to Glen-Esk where Bill and Brendan between them agreed that the problem was most likely one involving brake callipers – not potentially disastrous – so Bill bravely drove the Mondeo back to Mildura where he was greeted by Fiona, Ros, and Kate.
The following day a mechanic removed a large limestone pebble from the brakes – worn glassily smooth on one face.
In the shearing shed, where one poor old ewe submitted to the shearing ‘skills’ of the students.