General News
13 October, 2025
No dust on Nikki as shear glory awaits
SETTING herself up for another women’s world record shearing attempt this week is Nikki Lyons, after raising the bar in November last year by shearing 395 merino lambs in eight hours.

The Yass, NSW native set that record in her own area, but while looking towards the nine-hour solo category, she noticed a very, very small problem – in fact, almost microscopic – that led her to Western Victoria instead.
“Yass has a fine dust, and the season turned early and dried off,” Ms Lyons said.
“The dust ended up in the sheep, and it significantly affected the cut.”
She said it meant in that world record attempt, she inadvertently created another ‘record’ – using the most gear.
“That was not the record I wanted,” she laughed.
“I used five shearing combs in the last run. You would normally use two.”
Recognising she would probably have to look at a location without the same environmental challenge for the nine-hour record, Ms Lyons ended up finding a suitable farm in Marnoo – and it wasn’t just about the right lambs or the grime on their back.
“You have to find like-minded people, people that are passionate about the industry,” she said.
She said this kind of promotion of wool farming “in a positive way” effectively countered some growing unfavourable perceptions about working with animals.
“There are so many organisations trying to take down our industry,” Ms Lyons said.
“I wish people could see the real picture.”
This will be the first time a woman has attempted the feat, so her final tally will be a guaranteed record recognised by World Sheep Shearing Records Society Incorporated, but with a serious training regime that includes 4am starts and a team of people helping to get her body – and mind – ready
“I want it to be high," she said.
The Wednesday, October 15, attempt will be livestreamed.
To access this, and to find out more about Nikki’s shearing, go to Facebook and search for ‘Nikki Lyons - Women's Merino Lamb World Record Holder’.