UK shearers Jonny Roberts and Martin Howlett. Shearers. Image – Heiniger.

BRITISH sheep shearing duo Jonny Roberts and Martin Howlett have set a new two-stand strong wool record of 1075 ewes in eight hours.

In the first shearing record attempt by two shearers in the Northern Hemisphere, Roberts, 29, shore 536 ewes, and Howlett, 27, completed 539, on September 24 at Bigley Farm, Elcombe Road, Alvediston, Salisbury.

The previous record of 1068 strong wool ewes was set by Coel L’Huillier (537) and Kelvin Walker (531) on 10 January 2017 at Te Hape Station, Bennydale, New Zealand.

The shearers chose to donate any surplus monies from the attempt to ‘The Stars Appeal’ based at the Salisbury District Hospital. The charity is reportedly trying to raise £1 million by the end of 2019. The record attempt is supported by Heiniger, wool merchants Laurence Pierce and holder of the world solo nine-hour strong wool ewe record Matt Smith who lives in Cornwall.

The successful record attempt was overseen by four judges — two from the United Kingdom and two from Australasia – from the World Sheep Shearing Records Society.

The shearing pair had originally planned to make their attempt last month, but had to postpone it after the average fleece weight of the sheep to be shorn fell short of WSSRS requirements.