Shed skills go show shearing

PRIZE POOL HAS

BEST IN BOORT

WITH $10,000 in prizemoney, the Boort Show shearing competition on Saturday will be keenly contested.

Shearers will put their skills from the shed to the test tackling Merino crossbreds from Murray Haw’s Durham Ox farm.

Competition co-ordinator Al Wilson expects another good lineup of shearers in the open, intermediate, novice and local sections.

“Murray’s sheep will be good even shearing ewes, probably around 21 microns,” Al said.

“I’ll pick slightly plainer types for easier shearing. Anything that looks a bit tough will be kicked out.”

Al says the competition has attracted shearers from across Australia and even Britain and New Zealand over the years

“The whole idea is to attract really good shearers,” he said.

“Back in 2018, we had one bloke do three sheep in five minutes and 40 seconds ... that was a pretty good time.

“We also get a good number of shearers from the district in the local section and there’s always 70 or more people watching the competition.”

The shearing competition evolved out of a separate wool day organised by the agricultural and horticultural society until the 1990s.

Al has been part of the Boort Show for more than 40 years, joining the society council as a 19-year-old and serving as president for 11 years.

“The show is important to the town and it’s the only show now in the Loddon Shire,” Al said.

“I guess for me after 40-plus years, being involved is a part of life.”

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