NSW Shearer Sets Record as First Woman to Shear 500 Merino Lambs in a Day

A New South Wales shearer has made history by becoming the first woman to shear more than 500 Merino lambs in a single day, securing herself not her first - but second world record.

Nikki Lyons, 35, said the experience was both physically and mentally demanding, but incredibly rewarding.

“I guess it’s not really a role I identify with,” she said, talking about her title as a world record holder. “It was just me doing my job for one day in front of lots of people.”

Despite the pressure of attempting to set a world record, Nikki said she was buoyed by the support of her shearing “family” and the hundreds of people who came to watch the record attempt.

“Most of them have shown up twice now, in November and again this October,” she said. “It still amazes me that there is such talent and commitment to the industry. It’s definitely not my record - it’s our record.”

Nikki’s journey into shearing began at 17, learning the trade at Harvey Agriculture in Western Australia. After six years working in the industry, she took a 10-year break to raise her four children. She returned to shearing during the COVID pandemic when local work opportunities increased.

“I put my girls on the bus or took them to preschool, my youngest son would come to work with me, then I’d knock off at 3 o’clock, pick everyone up, and head home to do chores and get dinner ready for the next day,” she said.

Reflecting on her return to the industry, Nikki said she had always dreamed of setting a world record. “It got to the point where I could live with myself if I tried and failed, but I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t give it a go,” she said.

Preparing for the record was a rigorous combination of physical and mental training. “I did strength training twice a week, conditioning twice a week, and mobility work through yoga, since I am a yoga teacher,” Nikki said. “I also did six months of mental training with a sports mind coach. Shearing is as mental as it is physical.”

Organising the attempt was another major challenge. “You have to find the sheep, secure sponsors, and organise the logistics,” she said. “It’s a costly event—around $30,000 to $40,000 for the day—and very time consuming. Sometimes I’m just impressed the day even happens.”

The record attempt took place in Victoria, after Nikki and her team found the ideal flock for the challenge. “The sheep weren’t as good as we hoped in my hometown, so we had a look elsewhere,” she said.

On the day, Nikki said she was focused on enjoying the process rather than stressing about the outcome. “I had so much fun with my shearing coach and mentor, working on technique and learning how the lambs wanted to be shorn. I went into it excited, which is really important because you put so much effort into that day,” she said.

While there were some challenges - including unsettled sheep and occasional gear issues - Nikki managed to surpass the 500-lamb mark, following a previous solo women’s Merino lamb eight-hour record she set in November of the previous year.

In the days after the record, Nikki said she's been catching up on home life, chores, and family duties, though she plans to return to the sheds next week.

She also used the opportunity to encourage public support for the wool industry. “I really need the Australian public to start buying more Merino wool products because there might not be an industry left for young people entering the sheds,” she said. “It’s an amazing fibre, and it’s now produced in so many ways. Look for the Woolmark label and buy Australian Merino wool.”

Reflecting on her achievement, Nikki said it was a dream come true. “It was something I had always wanted to do,” she said. “I went full steam ahead, and here I am, a dual world record holder. I’ll remember it forever.”