Skip to main content

Your internet browser is out of date and not supported by this website. For the best viewing experience on wool.com, please update your browser to one of the options below.

AWEX EMI 1199 -5
Micron 17 1658 -7
Micron 18 1592 -13
Micron 19 1529 -12
Micron 20 1457 -11
Micron 21 1428n -
Micron 26 624n +9
Micron 28 443n -
Micron 30 382n +9
Micron 32 335 +5
Micron 16.5 1692 -2
MCar 645 -3

AWI’s multi-pronged approach to wool harvesting

There are many elements to AWI’s approach to make wool harvesting easier and more cost-effective for woolgrowers and the Australian wool industry

Shearer and wool handler training 

AWI funds and supports hands-on, practical, in-shed training for shearers and wool handlers to attract and retain new workers, as well as increase workers’ productivity, skills and professionalism. As well as novice workshops and improver workshops, AWI also funds education programs for high school students. See this article. 

Wool harvesting ambassadors program 

15 young shearers and wool handlers promote the industry at workshops, shearing competitions and in the media. These young professionals are positive role models for the industry, thereby helping to attract a quality workforce, raise wool harvesting standards and improve the culture in shearing sheds. 

Support for wool harvesting competitions 

AWI provides support to local shearing competitions affiliated with Sports Shear Australia. The aim is to promote excellence in the wool harvesting industry, encourage young people to join the industry, and encourage continued development of techniques in shearing and wool handling. 

AWI shearing shed design 

AWI and a working group of woolgrowers and shed staff in 2019 designed a shearing shed which addresses worker safety and animal welfare considerations, while also achieving improved shed efficiency and good wool quality outcomes. The AWI design is freely available and dozens of sheds have now been built across the country using it. See www.wool.com/sheddesign  

SafeSheds shearing shed safety program 

SafeSheds is a best practice self-assessment guide and checklists to help woolgrowers improve the safety and working conditions in their shearing sheds. It is available as an 80-page booklet, while the checklists are also available in a digital, interactive format. See www.wool.com/safe-sheds  

Modular sheep delivery units 

The AWI sheep delivery units provide a system that delivers sheep directly to the shearer, eliminating the time and energy that shearers spend on the catch and drag and minimising the chance of injury to the shearer. There are six companies across Australia manufacturing systems based on the AWI sheep delivery system designs. See www.wool.com/sheep-delivery  

Biological wool harvesting 

The University of Adelaide has made strong progress in identifying the most effective biological agent to create a weakened zone at the base of the wool fibre that enables the fleece to remain securely on the sheep without a net until it can be mechanically removed. Researchers are now analysing 12 promising candidate agents to determine which, if any, are most suitable for this role. This critical evaluation phase will continue for several months, before consideration of a new two to three year phase of the project. 

As a result, promising work by the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Wollongong on designing a device to harvest the weakened wool has been halted for now, while the focus remains firmly on confirming the agent. 

 

This article appeared in the Winter 2025 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine that was published in June 2025. Reproduction of the article is encouraged. 

Articles That Might Interest You

Best practice preparation for shearing
Preparing your flock properly will help ensure a successful harvesting of your sheep’s wool. AWI has prepared some advice for woolgrowers to consider prior to shearing. Read more
Sheep Yards
Sheep yards are at the heart of a sheep handling system, and require thought and care in their design and construction. Read more
Shearing Shed Design
Australian Wool Innovation recently collaborated with shearing contractor and woolgrower, Hilton Barrett, to design a shearing shed that provides positive outcomes for the shearing team, the wool producer and the sheep. Read more