2015 Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference

Winter shearing, particularly of pregnant ewes is common practice in Australia's most extreme climates. This paper reviews the physiological effects of winter shearing and its claimed benefits including lower lambing mortality, better maternal behaviour and increased fleece value from tensile better strength. These benefits may be offset by losses from subclinical disease and additional disease control costs incurred at other times of the year. Freshly shorn sheep suffering in cold weather raise animal welfare and animal rights considerations, which are also examined.