Top shearers set for fast-paced speed shearing at Southern Field Days
Organisers are expecting another full field of 40 of the country’s top shearers for the popular Speed Shearing event at this year’s Southern Field Days at Waimumu.
The Teviot Valley farmers, Cole Wells and James Hill, will shear crossbred lambs for 24 hours to raise money for research and treatment of prostate cancer. This attempt is a first in New Zealand by full-time shearers, let alone two farmers who only shear casually.
Both men have been in fitness training for months and will continue until the big day. They hope to shear as many as 750 crossbred lambs each. Even though this is not a world record attempt the lambs will still have to be shorn to a high standard.
A supporter, Robert McQueen, told Rural News that Wells and Hill are generous guys seeking to raise money and awareness.
They both lost family members to cancer. “It wasn’t all prostate cancer but it was cancer. They decided prostate was a good one to raise money because men can be a bit ignorant, especially cockies, about going along and getting checked.”
They have talked to Rotary, Lions and other organisations that have come on board, but the pair have also been flat out shearing, training and getting into the right ‘headspace’ for the event
They have so far raised $17,000-$20,000 in sponsorships. They had aimed for about $24,000 but hope to exceed that.
Sponsors and supporters are coming “from all over the place” on the day. “It should be a good weekend, a lot of things are lined up…. It is a big undertaking,” says McQueen.
The 24 hours will be split into 12 two-hour runs, with 30-minute breaks every two hours, and a 60-minute break every four hours.
Wells (28) is a stock manager who has worked on stations in New Zealand and Australia. He has never been a full-time shearer. His grandfather died in 1998 and his ‘Pop’ in 2003. He and his wife and two children enjoy the farming lifestyle. Spare time pursuits include diving, rugby and hunting.
Hill (34) farms at Teviot. He has worked on farms around the South Island and recently moved home to take over the family farm. His father died recently.
As a farmer he has shorn occasionally and is looking forward to the challenge. He has three children and in his spare time enjoys hunting, fishing and playing squash.
