Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the stuff people usually ask.
General
What is The Shearing Board™?
The Shearing Board™ is a purpose-built digital platform for shearing contractors. It handles scheduling, team management, daily tallies, animal welfare reporting, health & safety logs, compliance documentation, and communication — all from your phone or any device.
Who is ShearCore™?
ShearCore™ Ltd is the company behind The Shearing Board™. We're shearing contractors with 20 years' experience, so we've seen a fair few changes in that time. We built the app from the ground up and tailored it to what we actually need in a real shed — not something someone else thinks we'd need.
Who is The Shearing Board™ designed for?
It's built for shearing contractors, their teams (shearers, woolhandlers, pressers, cooks, AWOs), classers, wool buyers, and the farmers they work with. Everyone has a role-based view so they only see what's relevant to them.
The Platform
Do I need to be tech-savvy to use it?
Not at all. The platform is designed to be simple, fast, and mobile-first. If you can use a phone, you can use The Shearing Board™.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Key features like tally sheets, animal welfare reporting, and health & safety logs work offline and sync when you're back in range — because we know not every woolshed has Wi-Fi.
Is it an app I download from the App Store?
It's a Progressive Web App (PWA), which means it works like an app on your phone but you access it through your browser. No app store needed — just save it to your home screen.
Can I manage multiple teams across different regions?
Yes. The platform supports multi-team, multi-location operations. You can see where everyone is, what's scheduled, and how things are tracking — all from one dashboard.
Trial & Getting Started
How does the trial work?
Simple — sign up at theshearingboard.app, and you're in. Your free 30-day trial starts immediately with full access to every feature. No credit card required, no application process, no waiting.
Is there a cost to trial The Shearing Board™?
No. The 30-day trial is completely free. You only need to enter payment details if you decide to subscribe at the end of your trial.
How long does the trial go for?
30 days from the day you sign up. You'll get reminder emails at day 21 and day 28. If you haven't subscribed by day 30, the account goes read-only — your data is held safely and you can subscribe any time to restore full access.
Can I just jump in, or do I need a demo first?
You can jump straight in — just head to theshearingboard.app and create an account. If you'd prefer a guided walkthrough first, we're happy to do that too. Request a demo via the Contact page.
What happens to my data if I don't subscribe?
It's held securely for 60 days after your trial ends. After that it's deleted. If you come back within that window, everything will still be there.
Pricing
How much does it cost?
Pricing is based on your crew size. Three tiers: Small (0–19 staff) $1,500/yr, Medium (20–39 staff) $1,995/yr, Large (40+ staff) $2,495/yr — all NZD. On top of the annual fee, you pay per active staff member per month ($8/$6/$4 depending on tier) and $4 per linked farmer per month. Australian contractors are billed in AUD at the same structure.
Why does the per-staff rate change by tier?
The annual fee buys you a lower monthly rate. If you're running a larger crew, it's worth paying more upfront to save significantly on your monthly variable costs. Use the pricing calculator at theshearingboard.app/plans to see your estimated monthly cost across all three tiers before choosing.
Is there an enterprise option?
Yes — for very large operations or specific requirements, we can agree on custom pricing directly. Get in touch at [email protected].
Do prices change over time?
Your annual fee is locked at the rate it was when you subscribed. We may update pricing for new subscribers, but existing customers keep their rate at renewal.
Data & Privacy
Who owns my data?
You do. Your operational data belongs to you. If you leave the platform, you can request a full export of your data.
Is my data secure?
Yes. We use encryption, role-based access controls, and follow New Zealand privacy law. Sensitive data like IRD numbers, bank details, and medical information gets extra protection. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
Do you share my data with anyone?
No. We don't sell or share your data. We may use aggregated, de-identified data for industry reporting — but you can opt out of that at any time.
What happens to my data if I stop using the platform?
You can request an export of your data. After that, we retain it only as long as legally required, then it's securely deleted. Full details are in our Terms of Use.
Compliance & Industry
Does it help with animal welfare compliance?
Absolutely. The platform includes dedicated AWO daily logs, incident tracking, remedial actions, and a full Treat–Spray–Mark–Record–Report workflow. Everything is time-stamped and traceable — ready for audits under NZFAP, ZQ, or RWS.
Does it cover health & safety reporting?
Yes. H&S incidents, hazards, and remedial actions are all logged through the platform with a clear follow-up loop. It gives you auditable records for Worksafe NZ.
Can it help with MPI or MBIE audits?
Yes. All animal welfare and employment-related records are stored and exportable, giving you a clear paper trail when you need it.
Support
What support do I get?
During the trial, you'll have direct access to the ShearCore™ team. We're hands-on — we'll help with setup, onboarding your staff, and troubleshooting as you go.
How do I get in touch?
Head to our Contact page or email us at [email protected]. We're always happy to have a yarn.