Merino Wool Farmers

Humanity || New South Whales, Australia

Australia is the world's largest producer and exporter of wool, and is home to the world's largest population of merino sheep. The wool industry is a vital part of Australian rural economy, and many communities depend on it.

Here are some facts about Merino Wool:

• Australia is the largest producer of wool in the world.

• Over half the production happens in New South Whales and Victoria, that does depend on weather though.

• Australia has approximately 30.4 million Merino sheep.

• There are an estimated 37,000 individual wool growers in Australia, 12,000 of which who are exclusiviely wool producers.

• 85% of growers produce less than 100 bales per year and contribute to 44% of the national clip.

  
  

Documenting Merino Wool Farms

I was asked by clothing brand Bluey Merino to go visit and document the work of Merino wool farmers in the New England area in New South Whales. The purpose behind this was more than using this content for marketing but to help assist Bluey Merino with two important goals of theirs. That were helping connect consumers with the farmers behind their garments, and also help establish ethical standards and practises for merino farmers across Australia.

In this gallery you'll visit 2 harms over a 2 year period where I document every element of the wool growing process from relocating sheep around their properties, to even the big day where they are sheered and then their wool is classed.

This story is broken into 2 collections of images, first is documenting the farms and the second is documenting the shearing process.

The Farms

Something you notice about each farm is that no two farms are the same, based on the terrain and how things are done. So it's very fascinating to learn how each farmer approaches the challenges they face, and what methods they use to take care of their farm, their livestock and product.

The Shearing Shed

On the day when the sheep get sheared it's usually a high energy day, with a big team and a lot going on at once.

• You have on person who is helping get the sheep from outside to inside the shed.

• The shearers grab their sheep and shear it.

• The classers go through the wool to give it a quick clean removing loose folliage and to class the wool, organising them into different grades.

• Finally someone packs the wool into bundles that they then store, ready to be shipped out.