On Tuesday, May 14, we moved our classroom into the countryside and toured a farm that produces one of Australia's most famous exports: Merino wool.
The Tobruk Sheep Station is a working sheep ranch that gets about half of its business from tourists. We had a sheep ranch breakfast of damper bread and tea and a barbecue lunch. In between, we tossed a boomerang, cracked a stockman's whip, saw how well-trained dogs herd sheep and watched one get shorn.
Geoff Mason, the head stockman, explained that shearing Merino sheep is an art form, especially when the clippers get near the sheep's neck and the experienced farm hand has to negotiate by feel. The compliant sheep didn't seem to mind the experience.
Australian farmers have adjusted their wool production to match global demand. The highest-quality wool has dropped in demand while second-tier wool is more sought-after than ever -- and sheep produce more of it. Also, global demand for mutton has made the sheep more valuable after its wool-producing days are over. A skilled sheep shearer can make $3,000 a week, which is pretty good money in any country. Times are good for Australian sheep farmers.
On our way back to Sydney we detoured to Manly and its wonderful beach. The setting sun provided a sparkling coda to a day of discovery.
See pictures for more.
The Tobruk Sheep Station is a working sheep ranch that gets about half of its business from tourists. We had a sheep ranch breakfast of damper bread and tea and a barbecue lunch. In between, we tossed a boomerang, cracked a stockman's whip, saw how well-trained dogs herd sheep and watched one get shorn.
Geoff Mason, the head stockman, explained that shearing Merino sheep is an art form, especially when the clippers get near the sheep's neck and the experienced farm hand has to negotiate by feel. The compliant sheep didn't seem to mind the experience.
Australian farmers have adjusted their wool production to match global demand. The highest-quality wool has dropped in demand while second-tier wool is more sought-after than ever -- and sheep produce more of it. Also, global demand for mutton has made the sheep more valuable after its wool-producing days are over. A skilled sheep shearer can make $3,000 a week, which is pretty good money in any country. Times are good for Australian sheep farmers.
On our way back to Sydney we detoured to Manly and its wonderful beach. The setting sun provided a sparkling coda to a day of discovery.
See pictures for more.
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