Systems, apparatus, mechanisms and methods developed for automated harvesting of wool from cultivated livestock, such as sheep. A fully automated system for wool harvesting is disclosed, as well as a number of subsystems, apparatus and devices that may be employed in such a system or independently. According to one aspect of the invention an automated wool harvesting system comprises animal conveyance apparatus operative to sequentially convey animals to be processed from a containment structure to a transfer station. The transfer station includes apparatus for mechanically applying restraints to an individual animal and transferring the restrained animal to a harvesting circuit. The harvesting circuit includes at least one harvesting station having automated shearing apparatus operative to remove wool from the restrained animal.
