It’s been another busy year for Ulster Wool ambassador Jack Robinson, juggling life on the family sheep farm, running a successful shearing business and competing at some of the UK’s biggest agricultural shows.
Jack first started shearing at 16, learning on his family’s sheep before developing his skills through an Ulster Wool shearing course. He’s since represented Northern Ireland at multiple World Shearing Championships and competed around the world.
“I’ve been lucky to have a lot of support from Ulster Wool over the years, particularly through training and sponsorship when I was competing. That’s one of the main reasons I wanted to become an ambassador, to give something back to an industry that’s given me so much,” says Jack.
Balancing commitments
Back home in Claudy, County Londonderry, Jack helps run a flock of 850 breeding ewes, alongside a shearing business which sees him and his team shear around 30,000-35,000 sheep during the summer and a further 10,000-15,000 over winter.
“It’s certainly been a busy year,” Jack continues. “Lambing was challenging at times, but we managed to get 400–500 lambs away early at good prices, which was pleasing.
“The shearing season started quite slowly because it wasn’t particularly warm, but then the weather picked up and everything took off in late May and early June. It was hard trying to keep up with the shearing and everything happening on the farm, but we got through it.
“It’s also been encouraging to see wool prices improving this year. That’s a real positive for sheep farmers and the wider industry.”
Jack also enjoyed plenty of success on the competition circuit, winning the Northern Ireland National Sheep Shearing Championship at Balmoral Show and the All Ireland Open at Clonmany Agricultural Show.
He also finished sixth overall in the Heiniger Premier League, including a second-place finish at Stafford.
“I travelled a fair bit competing this year, and I’m really pleased with the results. Finishing sixth in the Premier League was a good achievement, especially with everything else going on.”
Giving something back
Despite his busy schedule, Jack continues to make time for training the next generation of shearers.
Ahead of Balmoral Show, he helped run a four-day training course in his own shearing shed, providing sheep from the family farm for participants to practise on.
“I got a lot out of the training I received when I was younger, and I wouldn’t have achieved what I have without the ongoing support of Ulster Wool when competing.
“It’s great to see young people coming through, learning the skills and improving their shearing. We need to keep encouraging them because they’re the future of the industry.”
And with a recent house move to sort before winter shearing gets underway, there’s still plenty keeping Jack occupied.
“We’ve only just moved into the new place – close to our family’s farm – and it’ll make life easier in the long run. I’m just hoping we can get things squared away before switching back to shearing!”