Get shearing done to prevent animal welfare issues

4 March 2026

Agriculture Victoria is reminding sheep owners of their responsibility to manage wool length, ;so it doesn’t become excessive.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Jeff Cave said sheep with more than one year’s wool growth are highly susceptible to heat stress and disease and those with overlong fleeces are also more likely to become cast – lying on their side and unable to rise.

‘A person who allows sheep in their care to grow excessively long fleeces may be exposed to cruelty provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019,’ Dr Cave said.

‘Under the regulations, a person must not allow the fleece of a sheep to grow to a length greater than twice the average annual growth for the breed of sheep or more than 250 mm (whichever is shorter).’

Dr Cave said most sheep producers undertake shearing annually and won’t have issues complying with this requirement.

‘People that keep sheep as pets also need to ensure they plan ahead and arrange for their sheep to be shorn annually.’

Dr Cave said all people who own or manage sheep must take appropriate actions to prevent their sheep’s wool becoming overlong.

‘Sheep with excessive fleece length are at increased risk of heat stress, becoming cast and serious animal health issues such as flystrike.

‘This regulation applies to anyone responsible for sheep, including sheep kept for commercial or hobby reasons. Anybody who owns or is in charge of sheep can be fined for having sheep with excessive wool growth,’ he said.

‘It’s also important anyone responsible for sheep consider the time of year they undertake shearing, particularly during the warmer months when hot conditions can have serious impacts on the welfare of sheep.

‘Freshly shorn sheep should be placed into paddocks that contain proper and sufficient shelter to protect them.’

For further information regarding sheep health and welfare visit the Agriculture Victoria website, call 136 186 or consult with Animal Health and Welfare staff.

Media contact: Maida Anderson

Phone: 0431 626 178