Spring means sheep ByKENDACEBORRY old, are involved in the Erway, last year suggested MANHEIM -- The practice of removing the to them that they take a equipment is given a final fleeces from the wooled sheep shearing course of check, and then the green livestock for the second year fered by the Extension pickup roars into action and in a row. Last Spring, they Service and taught by Ben disappears down the road to developed tht idea of for- Morgan from Penn State, another farm where sheep ming their business, and They took the course and are waiting. Dale Martin and soon were busy on farms. then went into business for Dean Ziegler, partners of the Both living near Manheim, themselves. D and D Sheep Service, are they are members of the After arriving at the farm on their way again to shear Manheim FFA chapter, where they plan to work, a sheep. Their vocational, carpet is pulled off the back The youths, both 18 years agriculture teacher, Jess of the truck and laid out. shearing to FFA’ers Dean Ziegler shows his sheep shearing techniques as he trims the wool from the side of the sheep. This is the area where the hind leg. Then they start to sheep, and occasionally have sheep will be sheared. Once work on the sheep’s to wait for an uncomfortable again the clippers are stomach, and work their way sheep to finally give up its checked, and the gasoline around to cutting the wool on struggle for freedom. While rrfbtor assembly put the sheep’s back. Next they they’re shearing, an oc together. Then Dean and cut up towards the head and casional baa of protest can Dale are ready for their first neck area, using special care be heard, muffled through sheep. around the legs and head, the fleece, but most of the The wool on the sheep is Working down the other side animals patiently endure first checked to make sure of the animal, they again losing their Winter coats. that it is dry. Then the sheep finish up near the stomach The wool is then stuffed in is flipped on its back, and the area, with the fleece falling a burlap bag and set aside, first cut is made. off in one large piece. After the sheep are all Dean and Dale start The shearers do their best sheared, the wool is shearing in front of the right to avoid nicks and cuts on the (Turn to Page 118) Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 8,1978 117
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