Belleview Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Hey all- Anyone know of any shearing schools scheduled in the NY, PA, MD, VA area? It's getting tougher every year to find a shearer willing to do a small flock in my area (central PA) & I'm thinking of taking matters into my own hands. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Lori, I think VA Tech does one in Stuarts Draft, VA every year. I'll see if I can find something on it and get back to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Lori, I'm twisting Tom's arm to come do my small flock. Have you asked him? (It may not be a long-term answer, but for the timebeing, while you search out alternatives, it's worth a shot.) J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipedream Farm Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Lori, here is the calendar from Sheep & Goat Marketing; there is a school in this weekend (probably too late to get in but a good source to check). I found this listing of Shearers. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kajarrel Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 You just missed one at Cornell too, but there's a video tape you can buy. I've never seen the tape, but I did attend a class Doug taught at Cornell several years ago and thought it was very good. Here's info: Cornell Shearing School Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleview Posted March 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Thanks all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy O Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Hey Lori, Know what I learned at shearing school??? That I don't ever want to have to shear my flock!!!! It was back breaking work and I'm not a short person- 5'8". At the shearing school, I was tired after catching one in the pens and wrestling it to where I was to shear it at, probably about 25', and flipping. Let alone shearing it! I went to the beginning shearing school in Westminster PA (which was 2 days). People were helpful and alot of people had never sheared before so I didn't feel out of place, of course there were these 2 power shearer women there that were knocking the sheep off one after another. You were supposed to shear 2 sheep each day, I think they did 10 or more apiece. So you could really get as much experience as you wanted and were physically able to do. Nancy O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kajarrel Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Nancy, These were exactly my thoughts as I was reading back over the thread. I've got to be the worst shearer in the whole world. I hate cutting the sheep, and probably because of that fear never get proficient enough that I don't. Consequently, my shearing is limited to cutting out areas of fly strike (yuk). I have a woman (Nancy Myers) shear my flock of 80 - she's amazing - very kind, proficient and the sheep are "well behaved" for her (she handles them well). A good shearer is worth their weight in gold! Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleview Posted March 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Believe me, this really isn't a "want to" thing! I've used several different shearers in the last few years. Most were pretty good. One sliced my sheep so much I felt like I was standing in a butcher shop. The "going rate" for shearing in this area is about $4 per head, give or take $.50. Talk about underpricing a dirty job. I'd happily pay more. I ALWAYS give my shearers gas money & tip them generously, hoping I'll get better scheduling service next year. Unfortunately, it never seems to get better. My norm is a dozen phone calls someone's wife who keeps promising I'll get a call back, which never happens. Last night I spoke with a wife who swore her hubby had me confirmed & scheduled, altho I assured her no one had ever returned my calls to book a date. Oops, they forgot that part. I've had guys schedule a date & not show up. I know I'm not dealing with "business" people & most do it on the side, but I have a patience threshold for this kind of stuff...and I don't want hair sheep for training the dogs! I ordered some shears. yikes. Hoping to still have 10 fingers when I see you all next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordi44 Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Hi, Another option to make shearing easier - if slower - is to use a grooming stand. That's how I do it if I have to do my own. It's not ideal to get the fleece off in one neat piece, but it can be done. There's a shearing school in southern IN - don't think they've had it yet - I think it's in April. Bill Harshbarger is the contact. I'm not positive, but think this is his info: 2005 E County Road 200 N Centerpoint, IN 47840-8314 (812) 835-3171 He also sharpens hand & electric shears and sells new/used shearing & grooming supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tucknjill Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Oh god Lori, be afraid, very afraid...I have been shown by a professional shearer how to do it and I did one or two..god that is hard work...as Nancy says, catching them is bad enough...I wrestled the new wool sheep and caught all but ten of the 100 for the shearer this year. I wanted to DIE. I already have my new setup for next year as I now realize it isnt like throwing my 70 lbs hair sheep under my arm and carryign them thru the barn. Not by a long shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mona Howard Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Hi Lori, I agree with Sam, (Hi Sam!!). It's horrible and dirty and you can't wash the smell off your hands for days. I use toothpaste to wash my hands and it helps tremendously. Since I have a bum back I went to hair sheep. Occasionally I get one with a wool coat too. What I do is to run them through the chute and put one of those little sheep halters on them. There is a lead attached. Then I tie them to the fence and sit on an overturned bucket and use hand shears. A full coat takes me 25 minutes. Just a back cover takes 10 minutes. I can't work electric shears very well. The blades go dull on me too fast. My two cents worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tucknjill Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Hey Mona, sorry you and Kath couldnt stay longer at the trial and sorry I had to spot sheep and couldnt talk..I hung up my key hook the other day, it looks great in my kitchen...THANKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 I took a hand shearing clinic in January with Kevin Ford so that I could at least do the few sheep I have they need to be shorn twice a year. I imagine once you get proficient at it, it's not so bad, but I must say that the sheep we sheared that day looked pretty rough when we were done with them, and of course the fleeces, which were full of second (and probably 3rd and 4th) cuts were useful for nothing more than garden mulch. I suppose if you don't want to save the fleeces for spinning purposes or the like, then how well you shear isn't a big issue. But if you're hoping to use the wool for something other than mulch, I think you have to decide to do a lot of shearing so you can get good at it and face the fact that you'll sacrifice's this year's fleeces for the sake of learning. I will say that learning how to hold the sheep in the proper positions makes all the difference in the world. This year, we had three unexpectedly pregnant yearling ewes (sold as not pregnant). We found out they were pregnant when a lamb appeared. Try crutching a newly lambed first timer by the light of a heat lamp, when you've only just learned how to use the darn hand shears! We did get the other two done before they lambed and actually did a decent job, but I'm still hoping we don't have to do the whole flock ourselves (and they're probably hoping the same). J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mona Howard Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 Very Welcome Sam! It was so neat to be around the dog crowd again. Your place is just to die for. So pretty. I was so thrilled to get Kathy to come with me. Hope to see more of everyone soon. Shearing---I actually LIKE the hand shears. If you have a small flock of a dozen or so like mine it's not too bad. Mostly it's just getting the stubborn back wool off. Trying to get even small sheep into all the positions is just impossible for me so I tie them to the fence, put a knee against once side, sit on my bucket and shear away. They look pretty nice when I'm done, the wool on the other hand just gets hacked off however since it's a useless hair/wool mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tucknjill Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 Well thank ye Mona, Steve and I are very happy here..No beagles or Music on at 3 am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Crowder-BaaramuLuke Posted March 19, 2006 Report Share Posted March 19, 2006 Try to get in touch with Gary Miller in PA...he took the classes when he was interested in learning, he's a terrific guy and you may be able to find him through Sharon Nunan. I think he lives in Lancaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted March 19, 2006 Report Share Posted March 19, 2006 Lori, Pam just did the MD Beginner Course (17-18 MAR) and enjoyed it. (I'm considering getting her some counseling...) The March edition of The Shepherd and the Feb 06 Sheep Industry News list the schools. Here are the upcoming ones: MARCH 25 Maine Sheep Shearing School, Cumberland, ME. Contact (800) 287- 1471, rbrz@umext.maine.edu. 30-31 Colorado Sheep Shearing School, Delta County Fairgrounds, Hotchkiss, CO. Contact Steve LeValley, (970) 491-1321, steve.levalley@ colostate.edu. APRIL 1 Maryland and Delaware Sheep Shearing School (Advanced Course). Thompson Farm, Westminister, MD. David Greene (410) 329.6241 ? greelamb@bcpl.net. $25/person, 25 person limit, Deadline: march 25. 3-8 Washington State Sheep Producers Sheep Shearing School, Parker?s Sheep Ranch, Moses Lake, WA. Contact (509) 754-2011, smithsm@ wsu.edu. 5-6 Illinois Sheep Shearing School, Livestock Center, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL. Contact (217) 333-7351, arcobb@uiuc.edu. 8 Indiana Sheep Association Sheep Shearing School, Putnam County Fairgrounds, Greencastle, IN. Contact Harshbarger Shearing, 2005 E 200 N, Central Point, IN 47840. 21-22 Minnesota Sheep Shearing School, Hutchinson, MN. Contact Doug Rathke, (320) 587-6094. 29 Vermont Sheep Shearing School, Shelburne, VT. Contact (802) 524-6501 ext. 212, chester.parsons@uvm.edu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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