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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2015)
8 Wednesday, June 10, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Keeping control of shear chaos to go at his pace, keeping out of his way. Correspondent One of the barns on the A well-organized shearing Cyrus family ranch was the barn is a place of controlled recent scene of a shearing chaos. Restless sheep con- day. Awbrey Cyrus, daughter stantly move and rustle and of Matt and Kelly Cyrus and bleat in their pens. Dust motes at least the fourth generation hang in the air, stirred up by of her family to raise sheep, activity in a shed that sees a got her helpers all lined up, multitude of use. There’s a and local photographer Gary clear space for the shearer, a Miller spent the afternoon clean area for the wool to fall behind his lens, capturing and a wool bag in a nearby the action of the day. When stand. Extension cords lie Sisters resident Allan Godsiff, ready for the clippers. Brooms a New Zealander who’s been are nearby to sweep the wool shearing for 37 years, arrived away. The rancher and helpers with his clippers in hand, shift from foot to foot, waiting everything was ready. for one of the biggest days of There’s an economy of the year to begin. motion involved in shear- The shearer is the master ing, a set pattern of “blows” of this small universe. The that a shearer makes with his success of the day hinges on shears. He begins with the his skill and ability to cope sheep tipped belly up, the clip- with sheep that are not always pers traveling across the skin cooperative. He expects to under the fleece just below the find sheep waiting in the pens breastbone. He removes the and a cooperative crew ready belly wool, tossing it aside, then heads south to the genitals, backside, and left hind leg. The next blow divides the neck wool near the jugular. Several more take the clippers around the back of the head and down the left front leg. One step to the right and the sheep is lying on photo by Gary Miller its side, ready for awbrey Cyrus pitched in to process the wool. the “long blow,” By Kathryn godsiff DROP-IN PUBLIC YOGA CLASSES 7 DAYS A WEEK! Quality Truck-mounted CARPET CLEANING n Quality Cleaning 13 years i s! Reasonable Prices Sister a sweeping movement of the shearer’s arm that causes the fiber from the back to cascade off in even waves. It generally takes three long blows before the shearer steps back, lift- ing the sheep to rest between his legs again. The right front leg, right side and right hind leg are clear of wool in a few more swift blows. The shearer steps away from the sheep, which scram- bles to its feet and out the door. The fleece is left lying in a pile on the floor, waiting to be tossed into the wool bag. A skilled shearer makes it look easy, but Godsiff quips that some of his best custom- ers are those who’ve tried to shear their own sheep, usually without much success. He also notes that while he expects certain things from his clients, he also sees the shearing as a team effort. He works with the clients to make sure things go smoothly. Awbrey’s sheep, raised to be competitive in the show ring, are a meat-producing breed and don’t grow a long and lustrous fleece. Wool from meat breeds is typically used in quilt batting or insula- tion and sells for less than fine garment or craft wool. “Even though this wool isn’t worth much, it’s worth something,” she said. “Those two bags of wool will pay for Allan being here. It covers the cost of keeping my sheep healthy.” Shearing reveals issues covered by a full fleece. W ! NO EN OP ENVIROTECH 541-771-5048 164 N. Elm St., Sisters 541.390.5678 | www.lifeloveyoga.com photo by Gary Miller alan godsiff has the technique down after decades of shearing experience. Observing her freshly shorn sheep allows Awbrey to see the ewes’ body condi- tion and adjust her manage- ment accordingly. This year’s shearing uncovered a flock in good shape, testament to her passion for ranching, a long family tradition with sheep and a shearer’s skill. — Cowgirls & Indians Resale — HUGE CLEARANCE RACK! DD Ranch Jackets $125 or less! $60 Boot Bin! “We always wheel & deal!” 160 Oak Street (Next to The Pony Express) 541-549-6950 www.cowgirlresale.com Art in the Park Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB#181062 RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL Live Entertainment Food, Arts & Crafts Serving Breakfast & Lunch Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 541-549-2699 403 E. Hood Ave., Sisters June 13&14 Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m . Opportunity iser Variety of Art, Crafts, Kid Zone, Drawing Fundra Food & Entertainment Benefi ting Featuring Country Singer h The Make-A-Wis Briana Renea Foundation Of Sisters Creekside Oregon Park Hwy. 20 & Jefferson Aven ue For Information: Richard Esterman 541-549-8905 | www.centraloregonshows.com Sponsors: Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort, KSJJ 102.9, Mix 100.7, Sisters Rental, Les Schwab, The Pony Express, Press Pros, Indian Head Casino, News Channel 21, Applebee’s, Heritage U.S.A., High Desert Promotions & Printing.