Farmers campaign for sheep shearing equipment for Balkan farmers

A group of farmers on Exmoor and Dartmoor have initiated a campaign titled “Shear them to Save them” to raise funds for shearing equipment aimed at assisting farmers in the Balkans. 

Many of these farmers are struggling to shear their sheep, raising significant animal welfare concerns.

Now, a group of shearing farmers, known as Hand2Shear,  are hoping to to raise £27,000 for the 4-person trailer and equipment so they can shear up to 50,000 sheep every three months during the shearing season. 

The trailer will also be used to train Balkan farmers on how to shear.

The group have been working closely with farmers in the western Balkans since 2018.

Western Balkan countries include Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.

Sheep are key to the Balkan economy. 

Hand2Shear explained: “Their sheep are distinct from the breeds in surrounding regions - historically the Balkans and Italy were the original hubs from which sheep dispersed over the rest of Europe. Rare and endangered breeds are now protected in Croatia and Slovenia but will be lost if welfare measures like shearing are not put in place to protect them.”

Due to a lack of skills, funding, and shearers, a large number of the six million sheep in the Western Balkan region do not receive their annual wool removal. 

This can lead to serious health issues, including overheating during the summer months.

Adding to the challenge is a global shortage of sheep shearers, as many have opted for more lucrative jobs in countries such as Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

In response to this urgent situation, the shearers have launched a campaign to acquire a mobile shearing trailer and the necessary equipment. 

The custom-made trailer, crafted in Dartmoor, will not only enable the shearing of rare and hard-to-reach sheep in mountainous regions but also create a safer working environment for shearers, addressing the needs of remote areas where sheep are frequently left unshorn due to inadequate infrastructure and lack of electricity.

For the past few years, Hand2Shear has been collaborating with farmers in the Western Balkans to train them in modern shearing techniques, moving away from outdated methods like hand shears and scissors.

Regular shearing is essential for a sheep’s health and wellbeing. 

In addition to the risk of overheating, unshorn sheep are susceptible to parasites such as ticks, lice, and maggots, which can lead to fly strike; a potentially fatal condition. 

Shearing plays a crucial role in preventing these infestations.

Exmoor shearer, Daniel Floyd, who is leading the fundraiser said "I started Hand2Shear in 2018, while shearing in the Balkan countries. I noticed they didn't have the infrastructure or funds to shear. These are countries that have the original sheep, small flocks of rare breeds – and they need to be sheared. With a trailer we can reach these remote mountain sheep and take their fleeces off. It's critical to save these species for future generations".

Balkan farmer Marco Orlić says “We need to rely on British shearers to help us. There just aren't enough here. Our small flocks of rare breeds get so heavy with wool which can trap a lot of heat in a sheep's body – and this makes them weak and vulnerable to predators like wolves and bears”.

Hand2Shear also want to encourage people in the UK to take up shearing as a career.

Daniel Floyd said, “My vision is to attract more young people to become shearers and raise the profile of shearing as a profession”.

To donate visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hand2shear