28-year-old Australian shearer Luke Vernon broke the world record, shearing 500 merino ewes in 8 hours.

28-year-old Australian shearer Luke Vernon from Ettrick, Central Otago set a new world record, shearing 500 merino ewes in an eight-hour attempt. The previous record of 497, set by former Hawke's Bay shearer Lou Brown in 2019, was surpassed by just three ewes. Vernon's final run was the largest-ever two-hour run in merino ewes records history, and his mentor, Michael-James "MJ" Terry, was by his side throughout the challenge.