Preparing for Shearing
These guidelines help ensure a safe, efficient and hygienic shearing process, while protecting the welfare of the sheep and the quality of the wool.
1.
Contact Shearer in Advance
Contact your usual shearer in advance to confirm the number of sheep to be sheared this year and their availability.
2.
Flystrike Risk Assessment
Consider the flystrike risks for your farm and decide if a preventive treatment for ewes would be beneficial, or if dagging or crutching dirty ewes might be necessary. If so, make a note that all shearers will need to know if any residues are still on the fleece before shearing.
3.
Daily Flystrike Monitoring
Be even more vigilant on your daily checks to identify fly strikes early.
4.
Manage Heat Stress
If the weather is warm, ensure there is shade in the fields and consider the heat stress factors for the sheep. Do routine tasks early morning or later in the day when it is cooler.
5.
Hygiene Facilities for Shearers
Offer hand washing and changing facilities to shearers where possible – this will allow them to enter your farm in fresh clothes with clean hands to help limit the spread of any germs that may be present.
6.
Avoid Sending Flystrike-Damaged Wool
Please do not send in wool that has been damaged by Fly Strike. Fleeces containing maggots are likely to damage other wools.
7.
Fleece Handing After Shearing
After shearing ensure your fleece is rolled and pack fleeces from different breeds and types separately to avoid cross-contamination and a reduced wool value.
8.
Remain Alert to Disease Risks
Shearing is a necessary task, but all involved must carefully observe the guidance to ensure that diseases are not spread from farm to farm.
Advice on Controlling Parasites in Sheep
Many external parasites in UK sheep flocks are nearly invisible but can significantly impact health, welfare, and profitability. This manual helps farmers identify and control them effectively.
Visit AHDB SiteAdvice on How Best to Handle Sheep During Extreme Weather
With much of the country facing warm, dry conditions, it’s vital to consider heat’s impact on livestock. Here are AHDB’s top tips to prevent heat stress in sheep.
Visit AHDB SiteShearing Training
Explore Ulster Wool’s shearing training courses designed to improve skills and promote high industry standards.
Shearing Top Tips with Alan Derryman
Alan Derryman is one of British Wool’s and Ulster Wool’s most experienced shearing training instructors. Listen to his top 5 tips for success in this short video.
YFC Shearing Course Offer
Ulster Wool and the Young Farmers’ Club of Ulster (YFCU) are collaborating again this year to offer subsidised shearing training to YFC members.
For the eighth year in a row, Young Farmers Club members affiliated to the YFCU can take advantage of a 50% discount on Ulster Wool Shearing and Wool Handling Courses. The discounted offer applies to courses in machine and blade shearing.
Ulster Wool’s two-day courses are held in all regions of the UK and cover the essentials of shearing. Attendees receive hands-on practical tuition in small groups, typically with a ratio of one instructor to four participants. This allows attendees to develop their technique as well as receive guidance on animal welfare, the use of shearing equipment, and staying safe in the shearing shed. The discount applies to courses for absolute beginners, intermediate, and advanced-level shearers.
Ulster Wool and the YFCU actively encourage Young Farmers to improve their technique by attending further training.
YFC members can access the exclusive discounted rate of £115 plus VAT for a shearing course and £42 plus VAT for a wool handling course by registering between 2nd February and 30th April 2026. For non-members, the courses remain available at £230 plus VAT, offering excellent value for high-quality, small-group tuition.
Eligibility:
Open to all fully paid members of YFCU between the ages of 16 and 30
Closing date: 30th April 2026
Statement on Animal Welfare
Ulster Wool takes animal welfare extremely seriously. Whilst we do not have any powers to enforce animal welfare legislation, if we are made aware of any cases of animal mistreatment, we will inform the agencies who have such responsibility, (Defra, Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC), and ISPCA (Northern Ireland)).
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and its detailed subsidiary guidelines, The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007, prescribe the high animal welfare standards that English farmers are required to meet. Similar legislation exists for the other UK countries:
Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
We also commissioned a study called ‘Best Management Practices’ to give the industry a comprehensive summary of the husbandry, health and environmental standards under which Ulster Wool is produced.
In global terms, UK sheep farms are small, having on average approximately 350 sheep. UK sheep are raised naturally outdoors on pasture. As a result, the scale and method of UK lamb production is such that it is not considered an ‘intensive’ farming activity by animal welfare campaigning bodies.
Sheep are required to be shorn of their wool once a year for their own comfort and health. Hence, wool is a naturally occurring by-product.
Every year Ulster Wool & British Wool puts over 850 people in all parts of the UK through our two day shearing training courses that are tailored to their existing level of experience and skill. It goes without saying that shearing in accordance with best practice industry standards ensures that the process is stress free for the animals.