15047 version 3

Page 1 of 4

Blade shear sheep at a sustained output, under variable conditions

Level / 4
Credits / 100

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment; maintain control, rhythm, and output when blade shearing sheep; and monitor blade performance during shearing, and make adjustments; while maintaining a sustained output, under variable conditions.

Subfield / Wool Harvesting
Domain / Shearing
Status / Registered
Status date / 21 August 2009
Date version published / 21 August 2009
Planned review date / 31 December 2014
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and teaching professional in the same field from another provider.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0052

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1The following documents provide both a source of the national standard as stated in the performance criteria, and useful background information relating to this unit standard –

Shearing Handbook (Christchurch: Tectra Ltd, 2007). ISBN 0-9582522-2-X. Available from Tectra Ltd., PO Box 7327, Sydenham, Christchurch 8240.

Best practice guideline for the New Zealand shearing industry: A guide for workplaces (Wellington: Department of Labour, 2008), available from

2Definitions

Minimum industry output requirements – 21 or more sheep to be shorn in one hour’s continuous shearing following analysis of variables by the assessor. Variables include but are not limited to – sheep breed, class, temperament, condition, combing potential, and staple length. Output requirements must be defined and understood by all parties prior to the assessment.

Minimum industry quality requirements – the minimum number of skin cuts, tassels, second cuts, and ridges acceptable to the assessor during the output assessment, following analysis of variables. Variables include but are not limited to – sheep breed, class, temperament, condition, combing potential, and staple length. Quality requirements must be defined and understood by all parties prior to the assessment.

Sustained output – ability to consistently shear at or above minimum industry output requirements, to the pattern, and with minimum stress to the sheep or self.

Variable conditions –ability to shear at a sustained output, while maintaining industry quality requirements in a wide range of shearing conditions.

3To build a portfolio of evidence for the assessment of this unit standard trainees are required to maintain a log book detailing the output, quality of shearing, and range of variables, with entries signed off by an employer or contractor. The log book should be maintained until all the evidence requirements as detailed above have been attained.

4Performance of all aspects of this unit standard should comply with the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (1996), Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Sheep, Wellington, and its subsequent amendments.

5Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment.

Performance criteria

1.1The style and approach adopted for the shear are appropriate to the shearing conditions, and maintain the quality and output to a level which meets wool grower and contractor requirements.

1.2Approaches for mitigating adverse shearing conditions are adopted prior to and during the shear.

Rangeadverse conditions relating to – equipment, shed;

sheep – full, heavy, aggressive.

Element 2

Maintain control, rhythm, and output when blade shearing sheep.

Performance criteria

2.1Personal position and style of shearing are adapted to accommodate limitations in equipment performance and gear set-up.

2.2Timing, length, and width of blows optimise selected shearing pattern.

2.3Blow commencement and finish positions are economicalof effort and reflect the shortest route.

2.4Blow placement, bodywork, and sheep positioning combine to represent sustainable shearing effort and output.

2.5Shearing output and quality are maintained in accordance with minimum industry output requirements and minimum industry quality requirements.

2.6Shearing output and quality are maintained to meet expectations of the grower, contractor, and self in terms of shearing conditions.

2.7Sheep are handled during shearing in accordance with the Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Sheep.

Element 3

Monitor blade performance during shearing, and make adjustments.

Rangeshearing conditions – wool type, skin type, fleece contamination, temperature.

Performance criteria

3.1Blade performance is monitored and in accordance with shearing conditions.

3.2Blades are adjusted and maintained to match shearing conditions, and to maintain optimum shearing performance.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – grinding, stoning, set, bows.

3.3Points are maintained to match shearing conditions, and to maintain optimum shearing performance.

Rangeincludes but not limited – stoning.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018