From beginner to professional: A complete guide to wool shearing in Australia (with tool selection and shearing techniques)

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralian wool shearing techniquesNow I will summarize the related issues, hoping to help those who want to know more.

As the world's largest wool exporter, Australia produces about 345 million kilograms of raw wool each year. In this country riding on the backs of sheep, shearing wool is not only a traditional skill, but also a core link in the A$7.2 billion industry chain. Mastering the correct shearing method can not only ensure the health of sheep, but also ensure that the wool quality meets the AWEX grading standards.

1. Australian wool shearing standard process

Step 1: Tool preparation
Professional wool workers are usually equipped with:
- Electric shears (Wahl or Heiniger brands recommended)
- 30cm curved pruning knife
- Wool baling bags (AWTA certified)
- Anti-slip sheep fixing frame
- Antiseptic ointment and hemostatic powder

Step 2: Sheep Fixation
Use the "three-point fixation method" recommended by the Australian Farmers Association: control the neck with your left hand, support the sheep's hips with your right leg, and use the sheep's own weight to form a stable triangle. Be careful to keep the sheep's head higher than the stomach to prevent ruminant from blocking the respiratory tract.

Step 3 Starting point for cutting
Start from the inside of the right hind leg and move along the abdominal line toward the chest. Keep the shearing machine at a 30° angle to the skin, and cut in a straight line with each cut without repeating the entire process. A skilled worker can complete shearing a single sheep in 2 minutes.

2. Analysis of the five core skills

1. Wool moisture control
The sheep house should be kept dry 48 hours before shearing, and the ideal moisture content of wool should be controlled at 12-16%. Too much moisture will breed bacteria, and too dry will easily generate static electricity and affect shearing efficiency.

2. Skin wrinkle treatment
When you encounter skin folds, use your non-scissoring hand to smooth them out. For Merino sheep, pay special attention to the area behind the ears and under the arms, as these areas often have double cuts as specified in the AWEX standard.

3. Shearing path planning
Refer to the "spiral path" of John Dalla, the champion of the Australian Shearing Championship: from the right hind leg → left hind leg → abdomen → chest → left front leg → back → right front leg, and finally deal with the head. This path can reduce the number of times the sheep turn over.

4. Wool grading
On-site classification according to AWEX grading standards:
- Belly: 18-22 microns
- Shoulder: 19-23 microns
- Backline: 21-25 microns

5. Tips for equipment maintenance
After shearing 5 sheep, the blade needs to be cleaned with compressed air, and maintained with special lubricating oil after each shift. The blade needs to be replaced every 40 hours, and the cutting surface temperature should be kept below 45℃.

3. Common problems related to wool shearing

1. Can non-professionals shear sheep themselves?

According to the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, non-licensed personnel can shear no more than 20 sheep per year. It is recommended to take the TAFE "Certificate II in Shearing" course, which includes 80 hours of practical training.

2. How to choose the shearing season?

The main shearing seasons in Australia are spring and autumn:
- Spring shearing (August-October): in line with the flock breeding cycle
- Autumn shearing (March-May): avoid summer flies
Summer pruning (December-January) can be added in northern tropical areas

3. How to deal with sheep that have been sheared?

Immediately apply iodine-containing hemostatic powder to compress the wound, and suture is required if the depth exceeds 3mm. According to the Animal Welfare Act, serious operational errors may result in a fine of up to A$$5,320.

4. How to store the sheared wool?

Use moisture-proof wool bags and place grading cards in layers according to AWEX standards. The storage environment should be maintained at 15-25℃, relative humidity 55%-65%, and avoid direct sunlight that may cause yellowing of the wool.

5. How much does sheep shearing pay?

In 2023, the average daily wage of Australian shearers is $350-$550, and the piecework system is $3.2-$4.8 per piece. Experienced workers can earn $9-120,000 per year, and remote areas can receive an additional accommodation subsidy of $150/week.

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandAustralian wool shearing techniquesWhether you are a farmer, an international student or want to experience Australian-style work, mastering this skill will open up new opportunities. In the next issue, we will analyze the wool grading and auction system in depth, so stay tuned!