National Shearing Circuit

Established in 1972, the National Shearing Circuit celebrates the skills of New Zealand shearers. PGG Wrightson is a proud principal sponsor, since 2001, in collaboration with Vetmed, known for developing and manufacturing health treatments for sheep, cattle, and deer.

Starting back in October, the National Shearing Circuit sees five rounds in total before the top 12 shearers go on to compete at the Golden Shears in Masterton. 

Since his first Open-competition in 2000, sheep shearing legend Nathan Stratford has competed in the National Shearing Circuit finals 20 times, secured 85 Open-final wins, a World teams’ championship title, three PGG Wrightson/Vetmed National Shearing Circuit wins and has his sights set on a fourth win in February.

Changes to the sheep industry are transforming the shearing landscape, explains Nathan. “We’ve been losing a lot of sheep to trees, so our shearing season is a lot shorter. We used to do an 11-month season, and now we are struggling to do eight,” says Nathan.

While the industry responds to these changes, Nathan and his competitors are focused on this year’s PGG Wrightson/Vetmed National Shearing Circuit, and beyond.

Sheep farming and shearing are woven into the fabric of New Zealand’s farming history and rural communities. From clothing to carpet, and tweed to tennis balls, wool is a cornerstone of our export market. As one of the nation's largest and oldest rural supplies and wool companies, PGG Wrightson has been proudly servicing the industry, from farm to gate, for over 170 years.

Our nation's shearers are an integral part of getting our wool out to the world. What started as a bit of competition in the shed led to showcasing these skills at national and international tournaments for more than a century. 

At the National Shearing Circuit one thousand Corriedale sheep from North Canterbury Station Marble Point are in tight clusters, seemingly immune to the fast action of competition taking place a few metres away. Every few minutes, another is sent down the shoot to be judged before joining their mates in the holding pens. 

Though each shearer and wool handler have their own working style, they all use the same tools to get their job done. PGG Wrightson has supplied generations of farmers, shearers, and wool handlers with the tools of the trade. From handpieces to cutters and combs, to singlets and moccasins – each tool has a purpose.

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