Clwyd County Federation enjoyed a double celebration in July when two of its members secured first and second places at the NFYFC Sheep Shearing final at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Sam Jones, from Ruthin YFC, won the competition, which is supported by British Wool, with fellow Clwyd member Gethin Williams taking second place.
Sam, 23, works on his family’s beef and sheep farm and runs his sheep shearing business SJ Shearing in Clwyd.
As well as his contract work in the UK, Sam also works in Norway and New Zealand shearing sheep. He spends November to February in New Zealand and then travels to work in Norway until the end of March.
“New Zealand is completely different to Norway – you’re shearing on a much larger scale. There’s more sheep, more work and better shearing. There’s a good social side to it all too. It’s not just a job, it’s a good laugh. You meet people and learn lots,” said Sam, who is also a keen advocate of training and has a Bronze Seal through British Wool.
“You have to keep going on the courses as you’ll keep on improving. There’s always room for improvement. I try to do a course every year and you can take advantage of the savings through YFC as well,” said Sam who is impressed that thanks to NFYFC’s partnership with British Wool YFC members can save 50% off blade and shearing courses.
Sam also picks up new ideas from attending agricultural shows and taking part in competitions.
“I always meet new people at the shows and get to know other people better. You can learn off other shearers and by watching. I’m not afraid of asking people their opinion on what sort of comb they’re using, for example. It’s good to chat to people with more experience than yourself,” added Sam who also admitted he enjoys taking part in the YFC shearing competitions and plans to return next year.
After climbing up from second place last year, Sam advised others who were after the YFC trophy to keep on trying.
He said: “Do a few courses, keep travelling and shear as many sheep as you can. Don’t give up and keep trying. Never hold yourself back.”
British Wool have supported NFYFC’s Sheep Shearing competition for a number of years, providing discounted training and branded vests for competitors in the final.
Richard Schofield, British Wool’s Shearing Manager, said:
“British Wool enjoy the relationship we have with YFC, which involves training around 200 YFC members every year with a range of seals. This is an essential investment in the development of young farmers’ skills to ensure they are working to industry standards.”
More information about the YFC discount for British Wool blade and shearing courses will be available in the next membership year.
