Future of shearing to be unveiled at industry day

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is holding a shearing industry day on June 16 to help guide the future of wool harvesting.

While the traditional method continues to serve the industry, over many years, many alternatives to harvesting wool have been invested in.

This event will examine the latest knowledge and innovation around the current technologies and ask the vital question of “what next”?

Woolgrowers, shearers, engineers and contractors are invited to attend and discuss current shearing alternatives such as upright shearing alongside other related issues such as shearing shed design, workplace health and safety, human resources, retro-fitting woolsheds and mobile shearing technology.

AWI CEO Stuart McCullough has recently stated the AWI Board is keen to look for technological opportunities that can make wool harvesting significantly easier and more efficient.

“Shearing is celebrated as a great Australian profession and has been the backbone of the industry since it started,” AWI shearing industry development manager Jim Murray said. “AWI trains more than 3,000 shearers and woolhandlers in-shed every year to try to make the process as efficient as possible. But with the advent of the digital age we need to keep looking for new opportunities to make this monumental task easier for both shearer, sheep and woolgrower and this is what this event will discuss.”

When: 16th June 2017, 9:00am – 4:40pm
Where: Dubbo Showgrounds
Contact: Jim Murray at jim.murray@wool.com 

 

09:00	Registration
09:30	Welcome & Outline Introduction. Define why all are here and the aim of the day
09:45	Current Alternatives Users and/or designers of alternative wool harvesting methods Pros and cons, and possible solutions/recommendations in an adoptable method of wool harvesting Other concerns or opinions
10:45	Morning tea
11:00	Shed Designs Woolshed designer/builder addressing the major issues Other concerns or opinions related to bettering workplace health and safety in wool harvesting
12:00	Woolgrowers’ insight Woolgrowers who have recently built new woolsheds which both differ in design; look at the reasons for these design decisions Any other concerns in addressing the major topics of the day
12:20	Shearers’ insight Workplace health and safety issues created with traditional shearing practices and what the industry needs to be considering when looking at developing and innovating wool harvesting methods
13:00	Lunch
13:40	Shearer contractors’ view Perspectives as shearing contractors on the major issues they are experiencing Considerations in regards to design and innovation of wool harvesting methods
14:20	Workshop scoping Collaborative workshop session (spread speakers onto other tables to share input) Tables collaborate and prepare a presenter from each table to define opinions about the ‘why’ we are here and the aim of the day in addressing the major issues
15:00	Afternoon tea
15:15	Workshop summary Continue collaborative workshop session Final preparation and presenters from each table speak
16:15	Conclusion & next steps Brief recap, summary, next steps & thanks
16:30	End