Robyn Edie/Stuff
Inside the Selbie’s shed where the Northern Southland Community Shears takes place. If contractors were behind on their own shearing they would need to catch up, so Megan understood their dilemma. However, add border closures keeping the regular British and Irish shearers away and the full wool ewe competition on January 15 faced issues. The event usually attracted 60 wool handlers and 90 shearers, but most sign up the day before. Just more than a week out, half-a-dozen had put their names down. The Shirley’s are worried about the future of the event. “I think this is the worst year for entries coming in,” Patsy said.