Shearing is one of the busiest days of the year on sheep farms.

However, by completing a couple of simple tasks beforehand, the job can be made that little bit easier.

Teagasc has shared key tips from David Heraty of the Irish Wool Council aimed at not only making the job easier on the sheep, the farmer and the shearer, but to also ensure the presentation of wool is improved.

Heraty said this is an "important factor in improving the value of the product produced".

He stressed that it is "important to shear the sheep well to obtain the highest quality wool".

His key takeaways are: ensure sheep are dry and fasted; separate lambs from ewes to reduce stress and fleece soiling; remove dags to keep the wool clean; and arrange for extra help to manage sheep and wool handling.

Preparation

Heraty advises to house and fast sheep the night before shearing.

"This ensures sheep are empty the next morning, reducing stress for both the animals and the shearer," he explained.

"Ideally, sheep should be housed on slatted floors or accumulated winter bedding rather than fresh straw, which can stick to the fleece.

"If housing is not possible, keep sheep in a bare paddock."

Step two involves drafting ewes from lambs.

Heraty said drafting ewes from lambs facilitates easier movement of ewes.

"Ewes will be anxious to return to the lambs and this will reduce the risk of fleeces becoming soiled," he said.

Dagging

Next, remove dags from ewes prior to shearing.

"Dagging beforehand reduces extra work and prevents contamination of the wool during shearing," he said.

Heraty added that having extra help available on shearing day "makes the task that little bit easier".

"One person can focus on handling the sheep, while the other manages the wool," he said.