She's shear class!
The rise and rise of top-class female shearers is a growing phenomenon in NZ – especially during recent times.
Much like New Zealand contractors who need nothern hemisphere operators to help with the grass, maize and cereal harvests, the United Kingdom is in need of those with prowess on the handpiece to help take the fleeces off that country's 15 million sheep.
The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) has recently announced that international sheep shearers have been granted a special concession to enter the UK this year.
Since 2011, the NAAC says it has worked closely with the Home Office to develop a scheme to encourage non-visa national shearers from overseas - particularly from New Zealand and Australia - to come for a short, limited period to ensure that sheep are shorn on time.
"We are relieved that the concession has been extended as we expect shearers to enter the UK within days," says NAAC chief executive Jill Hewitt.
"We have relied on the input of overseas shearers to ensure that sheep can be shorn within the necessary time scale and to high animal welfare standards. It is a relief that post-Covid we can now welcome back our team of overseas shearers to support UK contractors and farmers."
Non-visa nationals will be able to travel to the UK, between 1 April and 30 June and will only be allowed to stay for a three-month maximum period. This means they would be required to leave the UK by 30 September.
Overseas shearers arriving in the UK in 2023 must satisfy an immigration officer they are there temporarily to be employed as a sheep shearer. The NAAC says it can assist its members with the necessary paperwork to smooth the entry process and is requesting that it be notified of all shearers visiting the UK to provide rapid assistance if any issues arise at customs.
Specific entry requirements include that the applicant is genuinely seeking entry to undertake employment or provide services as a sheep shearer. They must also supply an appropriate contract of employment and be able to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?