Farmers take shearing machines to the Mongolian steppes

4:58 pm on 27 July 2023

A project to share farming know-how, techniques and knowledge has gifted farmers in Mongolia with shearing machines and a grinder Photo: Supplied/ Share Mongolia Programme

New Zealand farmers have shared their shearing knowledge with more than 100 Mongolian herders during a five week tour of the country.

It was done as part of the Share Mongolia Programme, an initiative set up in 2020 to introduce modern shearing techniques and equipment in Mongolia.

Rabobank agribusiness manager Paul Brough helped set up the programme, and said last year four Mongolian herders spent three months working in shearing gangs throughout New Zealand to sharpen their skills. So this time it was great to travel to Mongolia to share more knowledge.

Photo: Supplied/ Share Mongolia Programme

He said the contingent of 12 farmers from throughout New Zealand split up into three groups to deliver the training.

"Across the five weeks we were able to deliver seven five-day training courses to a total of 112 Mongolian herders across seven different provinces.

"The majority of the herders taking part in the courses had little or no experience with machine shears, having previously done their shearing with scissors. But they picked up the skills using the electronic handpiece really well, and by the end of the course, most were able to shear a sheep in around five minutes which was a lot quicker than the 25 minutes they were taking at the start."

Photo: Supplied/ Share Mongolia Programme

Brough said each area was given five shearing machines and a grinder so they could put their new skills into practice.

"It's a start, but its not really enough equipment for everyone, and they're already screaming out for more of these as they all want to use them at the same time.

"As a result, we're aiming to try and raise more funding so we can supply more equipment to them in the months ahead."

The trip was funded by Rabobank's Community Fund, The United Nations and The New Zealand embassy in Beijing.