Farm Animals

Sheep Shearing Welfare and Stockperson Skill

Sheep shearing is a welfare-critical procedure that requires skilled handling to minimise stress, injury, and physical discomfort in sheep.

Key Facts

Around 150 million sheep are shorn annually in Australia alone
Unskilled shearing causes cuts, abrasions, and prolonged restraint stress
The Merino shearing restraint position causes significant discomfort if held incorrectly
Shearing in cold wet weather increases hypothermia risk in shorn sheep
Electric shearing is faster than blade shearing with comparable welfare outcomes when skilled

Welfare Considerations

Shearing is unavoidable in woolled sheep breeds for thermal regulation, but skill determines welfare outcomes. Training standards for shearers that include animal welfare components alongside technique reduce injuries and stress significantly.

What You Can Do

Support training schemes for shearers that include welfare components
Advocate for minimum weather conditions for post-shearing turn-out
Ensure freshly shorn sheep have access to shelter in cold conditions
Ask about shearer welfare training when purchasing wool products