Sheep shearing progress to date this year is running at least 2-3 weeks behind schedule, according to one sheep shearing contractor in Co. Roscommon.

Allen McManus from Co. Roscommon and his team have been managing to get some work done between the rainfall showers but speaking to Agriland earlier this week, he admitted that progress has been slower than other years.

He said that the regular rainfall since the beginning of the month is leaving it more difficult to get ewes in dry for shearing.

The Co. Roscommon-based sheep shearer said: "This year, we are about 2-3 weeks behind on work compared to a regular year.

McManus explained that sheep fleeces should ideally to be dry and have got a few days warm, sunny weather for ease of shearing.

That has not been the case this year he explained.

"Normally, there would always be an odd dry day or a dry afternoon at least, but the way it has been this month is it could be dry here and pouring rain a mile down the road," he said.

He added that most farmers are understanding about the situation, and while work is behind schedule, there is no major panic on most farmers to get sheep sheared yet.

"People are understanding with the way that the weather has been this year," McManus said.

"There's no one overly panicked to to get sheep sheared yet.

"Hopefully, if a week or two of good weather comes, it would help us get back on top of the work."

The sheep shearing contractor also noted that wool prices are looking more positive this year than was the case in recent years.

"Wool is a better trade this year and it would be great to see a better value placed on the wool," McManus said.