A Bloody Good Fit: Welcoming the Southern Run of Bruce Rogers Shearing

Some decisions take months of spreadsheets, head-scratching, and sleepless nights.

This one didn’t.

We’re stoked to share that we’ve officially purchased the southern part of Bruce Rogers Shearing, and to be honest, it was a bit of a

no-brainer for us. Not just from a business point of view, but from a people, community, and long-term sustainability angle too.

Bruce has built a bloody solid run over many years, and there’s a lot of pride in taking over something that someone has built a legacy on. It’s bittersweet for him in a few ways — some of these sheds he’s been servicing for decades — but we’re bloody grateful for the trust and the opportunity to pick up the mantle and keep servicing those farmers in the same personal, professional way they’re used to (With a bit of our own flavor thrown in, of course).

Why This Was a No-Brainer

The biggest tick for us? Fit.

This run slots in seamlessly with what we’re already doing. Good timing, good sheds, good people, and good farming country. No wild detours, no chasing work just for the sake of it — just a solid extension of an already strong operation.

From a business point of view, it gives us:

• Better seasonal flow

• More certainty

• Less downtime

• And more stability for our crews

From a staff point of view, it’s even bigger.

Real, Year-Round Work (Not Just Big Bursts)

One of the biggest challenges in the shearing game has always been the stop-start nature of work. Big peaks… followed by big troughs, where good people drift off because they need consistency. This purchase helps change that.

The reality is simple: You don’t get year-round work without a range of sheep.

Having a mix of crossbreds and merinos, spread across different regions and times of the year, is vital if you want to provide reliable, ongoing employment. This purchase strengthens that mix for us and helps lock in close to 10 solid months of work each year.

That means:

• More reliable income

• Better planning

• Less bouncing around

• And more opportunity to build proper careers, not just seasonal gigs

For our local North Otago based crew, that’s huge. It means staying local, paying the mortgage or rent, raising families, training up, and actually seeing a future in this awesome industry.

It also gives us room and the opportunity to bring more people into the shearing industry, which benefits the industry, our farmers, the communities, and the wider region.

What This Means for Staff

With growth comes opportunity — but we’re pretty clear about how we roll.

We’ll be looking for reliable, drug-free, drama-free staff year-round, with particular demand during:

• January – May

• July – October

That covers shearers, wool handlers, pressers, learners — anyone keen to graft hard, get paid fairly, and go home safe.

And yes, we’ll say it straight:

We Have a No Wankers Policy

You don’t have to be perfect. You do have to:

• Turn up

• Pull your weight

• Respect your workmates

• Respect the farmers

• Respect the sheep

• And leave the bullshit at the gate

We’re big on culture, big on mental health, and big on doing things properly. If you’re chasing drama or shortcuts, we’re probably not your crew. If you’re chasing good work and good people, we might be.

Why North Otago?

If you’re reading this from elsewhere and thinking about a shift, North Otago is a bloody good place to base yourself.

You’ve got:

• Mountains, lakes, rivers, and coast all within reach

• Strong rural communities

• Affordable living compared to big centers

• Proper seasons (yes, even winter has its place)

It’s a place where you can work hard and have a life outside the shed.

Respecting the Past, Building the Future

We want to acknowledge the work Bruce has put into this run over many years. Relationships like these don’t appear overnight, and we’re committed to servicing these farms with the same care and professionalism going forward.

At the same time, we’ll keep pushing forward:

• Better systems

• Clear communication

• Strong animal welfare standards

• An achievable and inclusive Health &Safety system

• A genuine focus on staff wellbeing

This move isn’t about getting bigger for ego’s sake. It’s about building a more stable, sustainable business that supports the people doing the hard yards on both sides of the fence.

Looking Ahead

This purchase gives our business more depth, our people more security, and our region more opportunity — and that’s the kind of growth we’re interested in.

➡️If you’re a farmer, you’ll be looked after.

➡️If you’re a staff member wondering what’s next, there’s work here.

➡️If you’re keen to get into the industry, now’s a bloody good time.

Here’s to the next chapter 📖🐑✂️