Suffering sheep also a ewes-ful business opportunity

Worcestershire’s farmers are urgently seeking shearing services for small flocks of sheep, before rising temperatures and increased rainfall cause major problems this year.

Unsheared sheep can fall victim to serious illness as they grow hot and wet and under the weight of thick fleeces, but mainstream shearing operations will normally only take on larger jobs of 100 or more sheep.

As many as one in five Worcestershire farmers are estimated to hold flocks of under 100 sheep.

Mr V. J. Davies (pictured) is one of the farmers that has approached Worcestershire Regulatory Services about the problem. Unable to find a shearer for his small flock of 30 dorset ewes and lambs in Berrow near the Malvern Hills, he came to the authorities for assistance.

Now the call is going out across the county for entrepreneurs to provide the service and help prevent unnecessary suffering of livestock. Local farmers and shearers alike are being urged to get in touch with Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services Steve Jorden said: “There are huge welfare implications when shearing sheep as the summer progresses, it’s not just to harvest the wool. Centuries of careful breeding has given them very thick fleeces and if they aren’t sheared they get hot, wet and suffer badly".

If you have a small flock that needs shearing, want to help provide this service, or for any related inquiries please contact Worcestershire Regulatory Services on 01905 822799 or email wrsenquiries@worcsregservices.gov.uk.