Shearer Ian Elkins defleeced his first sheep in 1980 at 16 and has taken home the title of Australian Shearing Champion four times, as well as being named Australian Shearer of the Year six times.

The master shearer said the golden age of wool production had passed, with about 180 million of the wool and meat-producing animals being farmed across the country in the 1980s.

Now there are about 3200 shearers shaving a population of about 73.5 million sheep.

''There is more than enough work to go around, you can start on January 1 and hang up your boots on Christmas Eve,'' Mr Elkins said. But the current drought has forced many farmers to destock.

''Hopefully what's happened with the rain in the past couple of weeks will help, but any livestock is dependant on water and feed.''

Mr Elkins' record for most sheep shorn in a day is 280, and Shaun Wilson clipped 264 in one day last year. Their show includes demonstrations of traditional twin blades and modern machines, as well as audience participation.

The professional shearers take their time during the show, but on the job Mr Elkins said it was not just about speed, ''it's also about the quality of the cut''.

''In shearing comps, the fastest cleanest shearer wins, so not necessarily the fastest - it's a combination,'' he said.

Shearing demonstrations run at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4pm on Sunday at the Milking Barn.