HE may only be 18-years-old but Ethan Harder has proven himself a threat to world sheep-shearing records, after mowing through 602 Merino lambs in eight hours two weeks ago.
According to the World Sheep Shearing Records Society, the official eight-hour solo shearing record for Merino lambs sits at 570, and was set in 2002 by Dwayne Black, Badgingarra.
With 15 minutes to spare, Ethan managed to unofficially break this record recently at Kevin and Jane Fuchsbichler’s Bruce Rock property.
The teen has more than a decade of shearing experience, having grown up helping his parents Paul and Suzie run their Bruce Rock contracting business.
After starting the day at 7.30am, Ethan had reached 308 lambs by lunch and on track to reach his target.
To reach 600 lambs, Ethan was aiming to complete each sheep within 40 seconds, including time for catch and cutter change.
With his friends and family cheering him on, the final lamb was down the shoot by 5.15pm.