Sheep Shearing In North West NSW As Wool Prices Continue To Rise

MOREE,AUSTRALIA - JULY 7: Fine merino wool on July 7, 2018 in Moree, Australia. Penny and Michael McIntosh run 'Dowra', a 6,000acre (2428ha) farm about 40 kilometers north west of Moree in New South Wales. Michael McIntosh is the third generation in his family to farm the land which includes a herd of 1600 merino sheep. Merinos are prized for their wool, and are regarded as having the finest and softest wool of any sheep in the world. Shearing is done every six to eight months, with travelling shearers brought in to shear the herd over a few days. Shearing has changed little over the years and still needs to be done by hand, as a live sheep is still too much of a complex challenge for a machine. The best and the quickest way to shear a sheep is by hand with electric combs. The time it takes to shear a sheep depends on the skill of the shearer, with a good shearer able to finish a sheep in around three minutes. A great shearer can complete a sheep in two minutes or less. Shearing was traditionally an annual event, however is now done more frequently for animal welfare and to ensure the wool is the right length for the machinery used by wool processors. Australia's wool industry has enjoyed a steady rise in the last 12 months, with increased demand from Chinese buyers pushing wool prices to record highs over $20 per kilo. All wool from the Dowra herd is sold to China. (Photo Michele Mossop/Getty Images)