Sheep Shearing

farming · wool · sheep

The yearly trim. Every adult sheep gets sheared about once a year to remove its thick woollen fleece. This keeps the sheep cool and healthy.

The shearer's job. A shearer is a skilled person who carefully cuts off the sheep's wool using special techniques. It takes practice to do it quickly and safely without hurting the animal.

Shearing sheds. Shearing happens in special buildings called shearing sheds that are set up to handle huge numbers of sheep. Some sheds can process more than 3,000 sheep in a single day.

Working as a team. Shearers work together in groups called shearing gangs, along with other wool workers who help prepare and package the fleece. It's a busy, organized operation that takes teamwork.