Progress report for ONC24-147
Project Information
Small acreage farms have expanded interest in raising sheep creating the need for more resources and programs to promote success and sustainability. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of small (≤ 99 sheep) U.S. producers has increased by 27% (USDA NASS 2017, 2012). While this is uplifting for the industry there is a lack of sheep specific specialists including sheep shearers and is a barrier for expanding/new operations. Yearly shearing is critical for the wellbeing of wool sheep and the industry has a shortage of skilled shearers. Smaller flocks (and minorities) are disproportionally affected by the shortage. Travel and time costs for professional shearers are greater on a per head basis for smaller versus larger flocks. Therefore, finding a local professional shearer can be challenging and cost prohibitive for smaller producers. Learning to shear sheep is an art that takes hands on practice and guidance and is difficult to learn safely from other traditional learning sources (text, video, etc.). To fulfill demand, additional shearers in local regions need to be trained to defray travel and time cost of hiring a professional shearer. This project is proposing 4 regional sheep shearing schools over 2 years in SD, ND, MT, and WY.
The main objectives for this project are to
- Host regional shearing schools to instruct beginning shearers on the safe and humane shearing pattern of sheep and improvement of skill of intermediate shearers.
- Reduce risk of injury to sheep shearers by providing instruction on proper handling techniques and stretching exercise.
- Minimize and reduce stress of sheep and improve animal welfare through proper shearing technique.
- Provide mentorship, encouragement, and community for shearers to promote their success.
- Improve the quality of wool clips and therefore value by instructing on proper shearing technique and handling.
Cooperators
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
Research
Shearing schools were hosted in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. The schools are instructed by professional sheep shearers from across the region. At each school, beginning shearers are trained on how to do the shearing pattern. By the end of each school, participants should be able to shear a sheep without stopping. Intermediate shearers attending the school are provided with further guidance and practice to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Professional shearers also cover basic equipment (handpiece, drop, motor, cutters, comb) and tool maintenance (i.e., blade sharpening). Participants practice sharpening combs and cutters as well as oiling the machine. Shearing schools also provide education on sheep welfare, how to take care of yourself as a shearer to minimize injury, and basic wool handling to improve quality.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Shearing schools were hosted in MT, SD, and ND. At each school 15 students were trained over 3 days by professional sheep shearers. Participants represented 10 states. The act of sheep shearing is no easy task. Instructed by world-class sheep shearers, beginners learned the shearing pattern and intermediate shearers were provided with further guidance and practice to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, shearing school covered basic equipment, tool maintenance, sheep welfare, how to take care of yourself as a shearer to minimize injury to you and the sheep. We also covered basic wool handling to improve quality. After attending shearing school, some participants capitalize on the opportunity to make a business out of shearing and shear for other flocks to increase revenue. Two participants at the SD shearing school were completely unfamiliar with sheep shearing, but wanted to learn a new skill and begin a business for small flocks across their home state. There were also three youth that attended the school to not only shear for themselves but also neighboring flocks. By learning to shear, producers can alleviate the cost and scheduling challenge that is inherent to annual shearing. In South Dakota, 71% of sheep producers own less than 100 sheep. With small numbers and tightening margins, learning to shear sheep reduces the annual cost of shearing and supports the future sustainability of the small-scale producers that make up a majority of the industry. Shearing schools will also occur in the spring (WY) and fall (SD, MT, ND) of 2025.
Learning Outcomes
technique to shear a sheep
shearing tool care and management
Project Outcomes
Small acreage farms have expanded interest in raising sheep creating the need for more resources and programs to promote success and sustainability. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of small (≤ 99 sheep) U.S. producers has increased by 27%. While this uplifts the industry, there is a lack of sheep shearers which is a barrier to expanding/new operations. Yearly shearing is critical for the well-being of wool sheep. Smaller flocks are disproportionally affected by the shortage. Travel and time costs for professional shearers are greater on a per head basis for smaller versus larger flocks. Therefore, finding a local professional shearer can be challenging and cost prohibitive for smaller producers. Learning to shear sheep is an art that takes hands on practice and guidance and is difficult to learn safely from other traditional learning sources (text, video, etc.). To fulfill demand, additional shearers in local regions need to be trained to defray travel and time cost of hiring a professional shearer. Shearing can also provide additional income through the sale of wool and as a business. There is a growing interest in utilizing wool in gardening which can provide greater profit for undesirable wools than the commercial wool market can offer. Participants in the shearing schools often take on shearing for others as an additional revenue source.
One SD sheep producer said, "Even if I don't go into shearing, every sheep producer should go through this class just to learn how to work with a sheep shearer!" He is planning to shear his own sheep and continuing conversations with SDSU to assess utilizing wool as a sustainable mulch option in gardens.
Two brothers from Missouri plan to use their skills from shearing school to start their own business. After working for an alpaca shearer, they recognized the shortage of both alpaca and sheep shearers in Missouri and plan to fill that void. The brothers have never owned sheep, but were looking for a new, unique experience.