The recent wet weather in the North Island has left shearing gangs weeks behind and some sheep are unable to get to sheds for shearing due to damage on farms.

Shearing Contractors Association president Mark Barrowcliffe says wet weather right through December and January has crews falling behind - but last week's deluge made things worse.

"Everyone's just getting further behind as the backlog grows and there's more lambs coming on board, so yeah it's getting frustrating.

"The rain has been good for farmers because they have plenty of grass but they have other issues like fly strike to deal with now."

Mark says shearers that have come from overseas are getting frustrated because they are sitting on their hands.

"They've come here to work, they're away from their family and friends to earn good money but at the moment gangs just can't work if it's too wet.

"We're hearing everything from gangs being on time to being two to three weeks behind.

"Normally by now we'd be finishing shearing in the North Island and we'd be heading to the South Island to help those guys but lots of contractors still need their staff up here to finish some of the hardest hit areas."

Shearing contractors and farmers need to keep the communication going so everyone knows what sort of delays to expect, says Mark.

-RNZ.