Why Attend a Shearing Course- Matt Smith

With our Young Farmers discount announced for another year, we caught up with Shearer and our very own Ambassador, Matt Smith, to discover why he believes shearing courses are so important.
 

Q: What motivated you to become a Shearer?

A: "I grew up in New Zealand in the shearing industry, and right from the get-go, I knew I was going to be interested in this."

Q: At what age did you start Shearing?

A: "Growing up in the industry, I was fortunate to shear my first sheep at the age of 13."

Q: Where has shearing taken you in the world?

A: "I have been lucky to travel the globe, experiencing shearing in a variety of locations including New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Eastern Europe, the Baltic States, and of course, Great Britain."

Q: How many shearing courses have you attended and where?

A: "Up until the age of 17, I attended a shearing course every year. Thanks to my dedication and practice, I was proud to say I could shear an impressive 500 sheep with skill and confidence!"

Q: Would you say that attending these courses has improved your shearing ability?

A: "It's easy to fall into bad habits, but attending courses regularly can help you overcome them."

Q: What seal have you gained?

A: "I proudly earned a Gold Seal in New Zealand."

Q: Why would you recommend attending a course to potential new trainees coming into the industry?

A: "It is important to understand that there is no right or wrong. You can learn from everyone and become more efficient by learning from multiple people."

Q: Would you say it is important to attend multiple courses?

A: "It’s impossible to retain and learn everything at once; mastering one area will help the other areas make more sense."

Q: What would be your top tips for attending a shearing course to get the most out of it?

A: "Gaining experience can be valuable, even if it differs from what you were shown/expected at the start doesn’t mean it can’t help you."