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MSU tries to avert sheep shearer shortage
January 19, 2005 -- By Evelyn Boswell, MSU News Service
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| Russ Cameron of Belgrade already shears his own sheep, but he attended a recent sheep-shearing school to become more efficient. (MSU photo by Erin Raley). |
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Kristin McRae recently drove 350 miles to Bozeman to learn how to shear sheep.
"It's something I have always wanted to do," McRae said as she, her brother and four friends from Jordan joined a dozen like-minded Montanans and some 300 sheep at a sheep-shearing school in Bozeman. McRae, 18, normally attends Montana State University-Billings, but she goes home at least every other weekend to care for her ewes.
Jim Moore wishes more people shared her attitude.
Montana is running low on sheep shearers, and young people aren't replacing the older ones, said Moore, a long-time shearer and an Extension agent for the MSU Sheep Institute. Montana probably has 30 to 40 professional shearers and a little over 300,000 ewes. As flocks become smaller, it becomes harder to bring in professional crews who might shear 100 sheep in 1 1/2 hours.
"The number of sheep in the state is holding steady. The number of shearers is declining," said Mike Schuldt, MSU Extension Agent for Blaine County.
Trying to encourage a new generation of sheep shearers without going out of state, Moore and Schuldt led sheep shearing schools in Bozeman and Chinook during January. Teaching with them was Mike McWilliam, an award-winning sheep shearing instructor from Oregon.
Most people who signed up wanted to learn how to shear their own flocks, but Moore said he'd be happy if even one or two turned professional. McRae said she wanted to learn how to shear since some of her ewes give birth early. Ian McRae said his sheep are sheared by a crew led by Alvin Raisland of Big Timber, but he's leery about the future.
"In a couple of years, it might be hard to get your sheep sheared," Ian said.
Roxanne Linderman of Belgrade said she wanted to get to the point that she could shear each of her 70 sheep in fewer than 20 minutes. She also wanted to find a better way to control the animals. She's tired of trying to shave the last piece of wool from a sheep running backward through her legs.
"I don't want to do that any more," she said.
The instructors handed out a how-to booklet, then demonstrated their moves on some of the Targhee ewe lambs that were lined up single file for shearing. Most of the sheep for the Bozeman school came from MSU's Red Bluff Research Ranch. Others came from private owners.
Position is one of the most important lessons for a sheep shearer to learn, Schuldt said. Sheep are easier to shear if their hide is tight, so shearers need to know the best feet and hand positions to make that happen.
Good shearing makes wool more marketable, added Virginia Nollmeyer, superintendent of MSU's Wool Lab. Montana doesn't require sheep shearers to be certified, but trained shearers are more likely to shear sheep according to standards that bring higher pay for the wool.
Manners and warm-up exercises are vital, too.
Shearers should treat producers and sheep with respect, Moore said. He advised them to change into a clean shirt if invited into a producer's house. They should watch their language and refrain from kicking or yelling at the sheep. They should let producers know about severe nicks.
"Nicks and cuts are going to happen," Moore said. "Don't freak out. You might call the producer over and see if he wants it stitched up."
Schuldt recommended exercising before shearing. Shearers can prevent stiffness and injury by stretching their hamstrings and backs. They can avoid carpal tunnel syndrome in their wrists by doing the same exercises that keyboarders do.
"Everybody says it looks like it's hard on your back," Schuldt said. "In my case, when my back is in shape for shearing, it's the best it feels ever. I have had more trouble with my knees. And the vibration of the hand piece causes carpel tunnel. Your hands go to sleep."
Evelyn Boswell, (406) 994-5135 or evelynb@montana.edu
Hi-Resolution Images or PDFs Available:
| [View or Download] | 1. | Russ Cameron of Belgrade already shears his own sheep, but he attended a recent sheep-shearing school to become more efficient. (MSU photo by Erin Raley). | | [View or Download] | 2. | Ralph McWilliams of Miles City, left, gives Ian McRae, 21, of Jordan pointers during a recent sheep-shearing school in Bozeman. (MSU photo by Erin Raley). |
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