Sheep shearing is an annual necessity for welfare reasons as well as wool production, but shearing itself can cause significant welfare harm through stress, injury and cold exposure.
Shearing is a welfare necessity that itself carries welfare risks if done poorly. Sheep are inverted and restrained during shearing in a position that, while effective, creates vulnerability to injury from blades and to falls. Skilled, fast shearers cause significantly less stress and injury than slow, inexperienced operators. Post-shearing housing in appropriate shelter prevents cold exposure. Shearing welfare improvement is primarily a skill and management challenge.