Vermont Wool Handling and Shearing School Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, 2015

Merck Forest and Farm Center Rupert, Vermont

Day One Agenda:

8:30 am - 9:00 am: Meet, Greet and Coffee

9:00 am – 12:00 noon: Go Over Outline for the Weekend Shearing Day Preparations Why and When to Shear Advantages and disadvantages of shearing at different times of year Animal Preparation Keeping wool clean Bedding Coats Contaminants Are your sheep healthy? Site Preparation Space Shearer requirements Sheep requirements Placement of pens Power Help Equipment Plywood boards Brooms Wool bags Wool stand Skirting table Sheep handling and Welfare

It’s Shearing Day! Who is in Charge? Shearing Order Fine white through colored wool Bellies and Top Knots Out Proper Way to Handle Fleece from Board Skirting? Advantages and disadvantages Skirting procedure

Noon - 1:00 pm: Lunch and Entertainment

Day One Agenda continued from page one...

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Shearing and Crutching Demos and Basics of Shearing Equipment Types Combs and cutters Set up and care

Wool handling continues 2:00 to 4:00pm (Shearers leave to another area) Skirting Demo (hands on) Skirtyourownfleece Wool Grades and Quality Critiqueandgradingoffleeces Fleece Presentation Presentation for sale and contests

Shearers: 2:00 to 4:00pm Fitness Basic Pattern Shearers Shear Sheep Starting with Long Blows

Shearers Go Home and Recover! (Instructors come to my house for diner)

Day Two Agenda:

8:30 am: Coffee!

9:00 am - 10:00 am: Shearing and Pattern Demo Discussion of Problem Areas from Yesterday

10 am – 12:00 noon; Shearing

12:00 noon – 1:30pm: Lunch and Entertainment and Grinding

1:30 pm - ? Shear all Remaining Sheep and Go Home!

p. 2 Vermont Wool Handling and Shearing School Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, 2015

Merck Forest and Farm Center Rupert, Vermont