A&P shearing may attract top names

The action of a World Champion Roland Smith in 2015.

Last year's Dannevirke's A&P Show shearing featured several international shearers who pushed the New Zealand contingent, one making the open final.

With the World Shearing Championships in Invercargill at the end of February and many top international competitors already touring shearing events, Jane Leogreen, organiser of Dannevirke's show, hopes some will make it to on February 3.

She also hopes there may be interest generated from the world shearing record of James Mack (of Weber) with his two mates, Eru Weeds and Luke Mullins who sheared 1611 strong-wool ewes in eight hours January 16 at Waitara Station.

Although numbers are unknown until just before the show, Jane says indications are good so far.

She would like to see a strong contingent of younger shearers and wool-handlers in the novice section.

This is not common in other shows and Jane is keen to encourage the youngsters.

She has arranged for Simon Hales to keep 660 to 680 ewes aside on the hills ready for the show, transported in by Farmers Transport.

Later that evening Aotea Rugby hosts the Speed Shear.

Shearers are challenged to shear a lamb against the clock and the finalists last year put on a great show as the pace quickened.