Improving the numbers, quality and productivity of shearers and wool handlers is a current focus for AWI.

Application of new technologies, practices and guidelines created by AWI ensure a skilled and safe harvesting workforce for the future.

Maintaining the safety and productivity of shearers around the nation is fundamental to supporting the future of woolgrowing.

The high-costs associated with shearer injury are being addressed by AWI directly through the introduction of new technological and knowledge-based resources.

The commercialisation of the AWI funded UPSPs means that woolgrowers are a step closer to maximising the safety of shearers and their potential productivity levels.

AWI is continuing research into alternative harvesting technology in order to improve workplace safety and boost the quality of the wool gathered. These developments include shearing platforms such as the Peak Hill ShearEzy UPSP and biological harvesting.

AWI is investing in the development of new technologies designed to make wool harvesting easier and more efficient and to make the job of shearing easier and safer.

AWI invests in research work to progress the development of:

• new modular, low cost, parallel-based shearing platform technology; and
• biological harvesting.

If successful, these technologies should help to:

• reduce the 400-500 shearer injuries occurring each year that cost the Australian wool industry $23 million;
• boost wool harvesting productivity and efficiency;
• increase wool quality;
• lift occupational health and safety (OH&S) standards; and
  encourage new people into the profession.

Shearing platform technology

After a review process of wool harvesting technologues in 2003 AWI embarked on the development of Upright Posture Shearing Platforms as the best means of overcoming the principal causes of injury to shearers.

Of the technical directions identified AWI initially selected six potential Upright Posture Shearing Platforms (UPSPs) for further development in partnership with commercial agricultural organisations and professional shearers.

Recently completed the Peak Hill Industries’ Shear Ezy is the most successful of these technical directions and has recently completed the development of a trailer mounted multi-stand system.

More information on Peak Hill's 'ShearEzy' UPSP.

Following the completion of the UPSP development process AWI has produced a short document that outlines the key technical and related lessons that were learnt. Read the . It is provided for those people and organizations that are intending to develop a UPSP concept.

Biological/chemical harvesting

AWI has completed a review of 'blue sky' biological or chemical harvesting options in 2005 and is commenced longer term research in this area in 2006/07, with the potential of identifying new technologies that might greatly reduce the costs of wool harvesting.