Safe shearing guidelines updated as season gets under way

Sheep farmers have been reminded that biosecurity during shearing season must be paramount to minimise disease risk to the flock, but also to protect shearers.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) and other farming bodies have collaborated to update best practice guidelines on shearing as this year’s season gets under way.

“It is absolutely vital that all involved in shearing ensure they are working at the highest possible standard and following best practice guidelines to ensure optimum health and welfare of both sheep and handlers is maintained,” said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker.

See also: Step-by-step guide to best sheep-shearing technique

Other sheep, shearing equipment, clothing, shearing trailers, and shearers themselves can all present a disease risk, the NSA highlighted.

Communication

Effective communication between different parties is essential to understand any biosecurity issues and is a joint responsibility between farmers and shearers.

“If your shearer doesn’t know that your flock has been affected by a contagious disease, such as scab, they may unknowingly spread it,” explained Nerys Wright, technical adviser to the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (Scops) group.

Farmers are also reminded that applying pour-on products too close to shearing can reduce their effectiveness and absorption, and pose health risks to shearers and wool handlers.

Recommendations

To ensure cleanliness and reduce the risk of disease spread during shearing, it is recommended to:

• Establish the flock health status before shearing starts and agree on what steps will be taken to safeguard flock health status and prevent disease spread.
• Discuss issues such as foot-rot, particularly contagious ovine digital dermatitis, scab, lice, ticks, and caseous lymphadenitis.
• Clean and disinfect combs and cutters, shearing trailers, and change clothes (including moccasins) after finishing with each flock.
• Shear younger, fitter sheep first, followed by older and less healthy sheep, to reduce the risk of cross-infection.
• Wash hands frequently and clean and disinfect boots.
• Advise the shearer to stop work and change/disinfect their comb and cutter and other items that may have been in contact with sheep with obvious issues such as orf, scab, or lumps.

Further detailed guidance on how farmers and shearers can share responsibility for animal welfare and avoid disease spread can be found in the updated guidance note.