Crutching

It does not refer to the process of mulesing—a controversial procedure that involves removing of strips of wool-bearing skin from around the breech (buttocks) of a sheep.

Through centuries of selective breeding, most recently through artificial insemination, domestic sheep have denser and longer wool than their wild forebears, which may require human intervention to maintain.

Sheep with heavy fleeces of wool often develop stains or dags on their rear ends from faeces.

For large flocks and stud sheep, graziers will hire shearers, or use a contractor who provides professional shearing teams to do the required work.

While this procedure may reduce the care needed to keep wool clean, regular crutching may still required for the reasons outlined above.