Plateau Season Preparation in Beytüşşebap: Shearing of Thousands of Sheep Begins

The sheep shearing season, one of the most important stages of the pastoral life specific to the region, has officially started in Akarsu village of Beytüşşebap district. Breeders in the region are meticulously carrying out the care and shearing of thousands of small livestock that spent the winter months in enclosed barns. This traditional practice, done only once a year, is planned to continue uninterruptedly for about ten days. Farmers emphasize that this process is of vital importance so that the animals are not negatively affected by the summer heat. This comprehensive preparation process is also seen as a prerequisite for sending the flocks off to the cool plateau environment in a healthy and clean manner.

Shearing and washing processes are not done solely to clean the animals; they also constitute a strategic step that directly affects the economic efficiency of the breeders. Experts and experienced farmers state that sheep stripped of their wool are much less affected by heatwaves and thus their stress levels decrease. In addition, it is reported that a significant seasonal increase in meat and milk yield is observed in cleaned and relaxed animals. This situation helps both to offer higher quality products to local markets and to indirectly contribute to the regional economy. This shift, which is one of the most exhausting but mandatory periods of the year for breeders, is entirely focused on the goal of healthier and more profitable flock management.

Breeder Mehmet Aslan, one of the figures who has maintained this deep-rooted tradition for years, expressed his professional experiences and the dynamics of this season. Aslan stated that they have been shearing sheep regularly every year with the same discipline for exactly 20 years, and that this job has now become a lifestyle for them. He noted that they will take their flocks to Faraşin Yaylası in the coming days, and from there, they will move to higher altitude and cooler regions as the weather gets completely warmer. Aslan added that cleaning the animals is of invaluable importance for their general health and care efficiency. The experienced breeder also emphasized that one of the main purposes of this process is to protect the animals from parasites and various skin diseases during the summer season.

While plateau preparations continue at full speed, farmers in the region are also drawing attention to infrastructure problems in disadvantaged situations. Many breeders, especially Mehmet Aslan, state that they suffer greatly from the poor and inadequate quality of the roads leading to the plateaus. Farmers, noting that vehicles sometimes get stuck on steep and rugged roads, argue that this situation both makes transportation difficult and threatens their livelihoods. Breeders, requesting authorities to urgently renew and pave the plateau roads, hope that if the transportation network is improved, their costs will decrease and animal losses during transport will be prevented. Such infrastructure demands are among the chronic issues that come to the agenda every summer season but await a solution at the regional level.

With the progression of the season, the air temperatures in the region have now completely stabilized. Breeders are waiting for the snow cover in high mountainous areas to completely melt, ensuring that natural conditions become favorable. The complete melting of the snow is of great importance for the plateau roads to be free of mud and for the pastures to grow vibrantly. Once all these natural conditions reach ideal levels, the flocks will begin their migration towards the high-altitude, oxygen-rich, and lush pastures where they will spend the summer months. This rhythmic migration and shearing process is among the oldest pastoral cultures that still maintain their vitality in various parts of the country and continue to be passed down from generation to generation.