Shearing Time in the Gulf Islands

With the warm days of spring comes shearing time for many flocks in the Gulf Islands. Most people arrange for a professional shearer who can quickly remove the fleece in one piece in just minutes. Many islands arrange for the shearer to come over for one or more days to do all of the sheep. Smaller flocks may hold their sheep overnight in a barn so that they are dry and ready to go. Larger flocks will hope for good weather, and will gather the flock into a corral, hopefully with a covered area and handling facility. The weather was good for shearing this year, and the wool looked clean and strong. We remove the dirty tags in a process called "skirting" the fleece, then roll it up and place it in a big burlap sack that is held in place in a tall wooden frame specially built for packing wool. To pack the fleeces tight someone gets on top and stomps the wool down into the bag. Once it is full, we use a large needle to sew the bag tight, label it, and ship it.

Large carding machine, Custom Woolen Mills

The packed wool may go to the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers (CCWG) where it is sorted, graded, processed and marketed. Sometimes we ship to Custom Woolen Mills in Alberta and have socks, comforters, pillows, blankets and yarn made. This year we made a trip there will a truck full of wool sacks, and were able to bring back a load of pillows and comforters. Some people who have special wool-type sheep may opt to prepare and store each fleece separately and process according to that market so that they can obtain a higher price.

Demand for wool worldwide has been increasing – architects demanding wool carpets, consumers interested in natural fabrics - as the world supply declines, resulting in rising prices for wool. Wool from Canada is primarily exported and China has become a major customer. Last fall, the general manager of CCWG took a wool marketing trip to China and attended an international trade show for wool. He was able negotiate thirteen wool contracts with different woolen mills, representing the sale of 650,000 pounds, or 13 container loads, of wool. He traveled by train and car to the various wool mills and said that Canadian wool was well received. It is a relief to see the prices increasing, given that many sheep producers let their wool become mulch and shearing costs often exceed what the producer can get for their wool. Still, there are many sheep producers who pack their wool for CCWG and make the annual wool drop-off a bit of a social event, hoping that prices will improve.

My brother in law, Graham Rannie, shearing one of our rams when he was last visiting - Alex and Isaac look on

This year the 93rd AGM for the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers was held in Abbotsford, BC. The CCWG is a sheep producer cooperative with producer shareholders. CCWG is organized to market Canada's wool in the most efficient and profitable way and encourage quality wool production in Canada. The CCWG catalogue is mailed to 20,000 sheep producers in Canada, offering a full range of livestock products, a directory of sheep breeders and shearers, and information. Ken Mallinson is the Director for BC. Among the producers across Canada recognized for their efforts in producing wool, two sets of producers from BC received awards at the AGM. Wayne and Mary Schaad from Black Creek and John and Lorraine Buchanan from Metchosin, all BC Sheep Federation members from Vancouver Island, were the Certificate of Merit winners from BC. These wool growers exemplify the co-operative spirit and were recognized for the extra pride they take in their wool. The recipients of these awards were selected by a panel of judges representing the shearing, warehousing, grading, selling and buying of wool.

My son, Alex, shearing a California Red

Pieter DeMooy shearing one from our commercial flock

Pieter DeMooy from Central Saanich was the shearer for both flocks. Pieter shears many of the flocks in the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. He started shearing in 4-H, then went on to shear with the best shearers in New Zealand, Australia and the UK before settling back in Canada and working in the floral industry. He was brought out of shearing-retirement when his good friend and fellow shearer, David Nichols, passed away suddenly. David had been the main shearer for the Gulf Islands for many years, and he had family and friends in the islands. Pieter helped fill the void, both as a shearer and as a friend to many sheep producers who appreciate his skills.

News for Sheep Producers in BC

Advance Payment Program now available for Sheep Producers in BC

 The BC Sheep Federation has arranged for the Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance Program to include sheep producers from BC in their Advance Payment Program (APP).  The Advance Payments Program is a federally-funded program that provides producers with a cash advance on the value of their lambs during the growing and finishing phase.  By improving your cash flow throughout the year, the APP helps producers meet their financial obligations and benefit from the best market conditions.  The Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance Program was established in 2007 and is a producer-driven, non-profit organizations representing 10,000 Manitoba producers, mostly in the beef cattle industry.  MLCA also represents sheep producers from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – and now BC.  For information on how to apply call 1-866-869-4008 and an application can be mailed or faxed to you. You may also visit their website and download the application at www.manitobalivestock.com.   Financing for sheep may also be available from British Columbia Co-operative Feeder and Bred Heifer Associations in the future. Contact an association near you and the BC Sheep Federation for more information.

Vancouver Island Sheep Producers Receive Certificates of Merit at Canadian Cooperative Wool Grower's AGM

This year the AGM for the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers was held in Abbotsford BC. Among the producers across Canada recognized for their efforts, two sets of producers from BC, both from Vancouver Island, received  Certificates of Merit. Wayne and Mary Schaad from Black Creek and John and Lorraine Buchanan from Metchosin were the Certificate of Merit winners from BC.   Pieter DeMooy from Central Saanich was the shearer of both flocks.  .
The selection was made by a panel of judges representing the shearing, warehousing, grading, selling and buying aspects of wool. Consideration was given to volume, breeding, care of the fleece, proper preparation and shipment to the Co-op.

BC Sheep Federation surveying farm organizations and sheep producers in the province about the effectiveness of the dog bylaws in their communities.

The BC Sheep Federation will be conducting a scan of regional district and municipal bylaws, as well as seeking input from farm organizations and individual sheep producers, in order to determine the effectiveness of the various dog bylaws in the province. Since the repeal of the Livestock Protection Act in 2003, local governments have had the responsibility of controlling dogs in their communities.  This has been generally in the form of licence tag fees and fines, with some providing compensation to livestock owners who have had livestock killed or injured by stray dogs.  Although the Livestock Protection Act was repealed, the part of the Act allowing livestock owners to shoot and kill dogs chasing or attacking livestock was retained and put into the Livestock Act.  To participate or request more information, please contact Barbara Johnstone Grimmer (250) 629-3817 or firhill@gulfislands.com

Vancouver Island Sheep Producers and Shearer Receive Certificate of Merit at Canadian Cooperative Wool Grower's AGM

This year the AGM for the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers was held in Abbotsford BC. Among the producers across Canada recognized for their efforts, two sets of producers from BC, both from Vancouver Island, received  Certificates of Merit. Wayne and Mary Schaad from Black Creek and John and Lorraine Buchanan from Metchosin were the Certificate of Merit winners from BC and both used Pieter DeMooy from Central Saanich as their shearer.  .

Due to organized marketing and the emphasis being placed on producing a quality product by members of the Co-op, a great interest is being shown in Canadian Wool by both commercial and individual buyers. Now there is recognition paid to wool growers who take extra pride in their wool, and through extra efforts offer a much improved product for market.

These growers also exemplify the co-operative spirit and contribute by making their system of marketing operate more efficiently, to the benefit of all wool growers across Canada.

In order that these men and women be known for their efforts and so some standard will exist in commercial wool production, as it does in so many ways with lamb production a Certificate of Merit is awarded to the top wool shippers of Canada for the current wool season. These growers will also be recognized at our annual meeting as well as in the next issue of the Canadian Wool Growers Magazine.

These awards will be made to those growers who best support the co-operative method of marketing wool through their knowledge and efforts at producing wool which goes far to promote Canadian wool to buyers. The selection will be made by a panel of judges representing the shearing, warehousing, grading, selling and buying aspects of wool. Consideration will be given to volume, breeding, care of the fleece, proper preparation and shipment to the Co-op. Factors such as geographic location will be considered as well to allow for unavoidable variations in such things as climate.

No grower will be penalized for offsorts that have been separated, identified and shipped to the co-op as such.

It is our intention that this award will grow in prestige and stature as the symbol of excellence in commercial wool production. - Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers

(Both of the BC Producers are also BC Sheep Federation members.  Congratulations!!  BJG)