Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is staging a Wool Harvesting Open Day at the Falkiner Memorial Field Station in southern NSW on Tuesday the 17th of May.
AWI Chairman Jock Laurie said with this is a great opportunity for woolgrowers to see what is available now and see what is possible in the near future.
"There are plenty of kids out there with natural ability for shearing and they can make good money doing it. There isn't as many young people taking up shearing as there was 20 to 30 years ago and we want to showcase the industry and some of the latest innovations," Mr Laurie said.
One way AWI is helping encourage new kids on the block is giving $2000 worth of shearing equipment to learner shearers who complete training and then get a job.
The Open Day allows growers to see different shearing systems and offers a chance to talk to leading machinery and shed manufacturers on design and construction. AWI staff will also be on hand to providing the latest in AWI Shearing Shed Safety, shed design and shearer and wool handler training initiatives.
"The Open Day will show new shed designs and highlight research into taking some of the physical pressures away from shearer," Mr Laurie said.
Further Reading
The occupational health and safety risks associated with physical exertion of the "catch and drag" process of removing sheep from pens has been the focus of research for some time.
"With the national flock on the rise again there is a pressing need for more quality shearing solutions," Mr Laurie said.
"We have five or six different systems set up, all with a place in the shearing industry -its up to individual shearers, contractors and wool growers to consider what works best for them."
Featured is the innovation of farmer and stock owner, Grant Burbridge, who has developed the Shear Anywhere system, designed to remove strain from the shearer's back.
"This innovation allows the shearer to be in an upright, standing position and work with a system that is much like a crutching trailer but with a shearing cradle instead," Mr Burbridge said.
"We have done around six years research onto develop a different blow pattern while shearing, that brings the best results."
The Memorial Field Station will be open from 9am until 4pm on the Conargo Road, Conargo.
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