December 10, 2004 -- The Australian Broadcasting Corp. announced this week that New Zealand?s wool body has joined forces with Australia to combat a shortage of shearers and improve shearing conditions.
Meat and Wool New Zealand will contribute A$1.5 million to Australian Wool Innovation?s project to develop new technologies such as upright shearing platforms and new handpieces.
Both Australia and New Zealand are facing the same challenges: Shearers are getting older and it is more difficult to attract younger people to wool handling and shearing as a career.