Wool war marks 50-year bond

Young Farmers Clubs kept up a 51-year tradition yesterday by competing in a shearing and wool-handling competition at the Golden Shears.
Teams of four - two shearers and two wool-handlers - represented YFC regions from around New Zealand to decide the fastest at getting wool shorn and sorted.
The East Coast region, which includes Wairarapa, placed second behind winner Waikato Bay of Plenty.
YFC spokesman Richard Reid, a representative on the Golden Shears committee, said it was a privilege to keep up the connection between the club and Golden Shears.
Reid urged farmers to consider shearing as a useful fundraising skill, part of a YFC "shearing for farm ownership" promotion.