Shearing is a necessary management procedure for woolled sheep, but the manner in which it is performed significantly affects the welfare experience of individual animals.
Shearing is stressful for sheep regardless of technique, but skilled shearing with calm handling, appropriate restraint and avoidance of cuts minimises welfare harm. Poorly skilled shearing with rough handling and frequent cuts causes unnecessary suffering during an unavoidable management procedure. Shearer training programmes and welfare assessments of shearing contractors improve welfare standards.