A successful Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) shearing and wool handler workshop saw the highly anticipated, purpose-built AWI modular sheep delivery units utilised in the field for the first time last week.
Rhodes Pastoral, Boyup Brook, hosted its second AWI shearing and wool handler workshop last Saturday and farm manager Michael Wright said there were three times as many people in attendance at this year's event.
"We catered for over 60 the other day and we only had 22 the first year," Mr Wright said.
"Over half of the attendees were shearers.
"It was the first time the AWI race loading, shearing and catching pens were used, which attracted a lot of interest."
Local Darkan-based RW Engineering has been working with AWI to manufacture the modular sheep delivery units, designed to eliminate the catch and drag, making shearing easier and reducing injury caused by constant dragging and twisting.
The design focused on a modular concept, where portable singular shearing stands can be joined together to make a multi-stand shearing platform and it can be stored away after use.
Each modular unit holds sheep in a race at the back of the unit allowing the shearer to simply open the gate, collect the sheep from the race and manoeuvre the sheep, the short distance, to the centre of the board ready to start.
The potential benefits of the modular sheep delivery unit for woolgrowers and the industry include: increased attraction and retention of shearers to the industry, decrease in shearer injuries, improved productivity for workers, cost effective option when upgrading infrastructure and provides an avenue for multipurpose sheds.
The day included shearing trainers Paul (Pope) Hicks and Ben Frewen, as well as wool handler trainer Roxanne King.
Wool harvesting ambassadors, Ethan Harder and Ethan Gallatly were on hand to demonstrate the modular units and shearing skills.
Mr Wright said the real talking point were the two guest speakers and the relevance of their topics.
"Phil Brunner a lawyer from Bailiwick Legal spoke about sexual harassment in the workplace," Mr Wright said.
"The other speaker was Katelyn Towie from Konekt, who spoke about the physical side of things, looking after yourself, warming up, rehabilitation after injury and the ramifications of alcohol and drug use."
He said the training took place after the guest speakers, with the training geared towards advancing and improving the skills of the already experienced shearers and wool handlers in attendance.
"All in all it was a cracking day," Mr Wright said.
"There were 280 sheep shorn and it was great to have other industry representatives present like WA Shearing Industry Association president Darren Spencer, AWN's Greg Tilbrook and AWI board member Neil Jackson."
Mr Jackson said it was a well-attended event which was especially positive considering it was a weekend and people were giving up their spare time.
"I congratulate Rhodes Pastoral for their efforts," Mr Jackson said.
"It was a great event, with a very well planned format that was very beneficial for those who attended and for the industry as a whole."
