Lincoln University Hosts 42nd Annual Sheep Shearing School at Carver Farm

Sheep producers and aspiring shepherds gathered March 4-5 at Lincoln University of Missouri's (LU) George Washington Carver Farm for the institution's annual Sheep Shearing School, an event training small ruminant producers for more than four decades.

The 2026 program marked the 42nd year LU has hosted the hands-on training. While agricultural technology continues to evolve, the techniques taught during the school remain much the same as when the program began in the 1980s.

The event offers limited space to ensure participants receive meaningful practice. This year, only 20 slots were available and all spots were filled. Attendees traveled from across Missouri as well as Illinois and Iowa, representing small- to mid-size farms. Some participants already owned sheep, while others attended to learn the skills before starting their own flocks.

"It's advertised through word-of-mouth and we have two organizations that put it on their websites - American Sheep Producers and American Sheep Industry Association," said Joan "Jody" Bruemmer, who serves as a program coordinator at LU's Carver Farm and helped organize the event.

Guy Frazier led the school, continuing more than 20 years directing the training. His goal each year is simple: ensure every participant gains hands-on experience shearing at least two sheep before the program concludes.

The first day began with a demonstration in a classroom inside the farm's main building, where instructors demonstrated proper handling and shearing techniques using two rams. Frazier showed how to safely position a sheep when it becomes unsettled and an efficient order to shear the animal's body in.

Participants also received instructional materials on a flash drive to take home.

Guy Frazier giving a Sheep Shearing School attendee tips on how to shear a sheep.

Questions during the demonstration ranged from the best time of year to shear sheep to proper equipment maintenance.

"What I use is a non-detergent oil. You can also buy mineral oil," Frazier told attendees when discussing blade maintenance. "A non-detergent oil will stick to surfaces better than a detergent."

He explained sheep's wool naturally contains lanolin, a waxy substance helping keep shearing equipment lubricated during use. Animals such as alpacas or llamas, however, do not produce lanolin, meaning blades must be oiled more frequently.

Frazier also recommended soaking blades in hot water to dissolve lanolin buildup, followed by boiling water containing dish soap to help clean and disinfect them.

"We want a clean, sharp edge," he explained.

Starting bright and early the second day, participants began shearing sheep themselves.

"Get your sheep and get going!" instructors called out.

Plugging in electric shears, participants worked to position their animals and begin removing their fleeces. Instructors and LU staff remained nearby to provide tips.

"What you want to do is take the nose and touch it to their back while you push down on the hip and they'll go down," Frazier said, explaining how to get the sheep in position to start shearing.

Victoria Thomas, who owns four Tunis sheep, described the experience as physically demanding.

"The most difficult part was moving the sheep into position and remembering the next position," she said.

Gary Cochenour, who manages a flock of 216 sheep, said his goal was to eventually shear his own animals rather than hire someone.

"It was not as bad as I thought it would be," he said.

During lunch on the second day, Mohan Acharya of LU's Small Ruminant Program presented information on parasites commonly found in sheep and the medications used to control them. He advised participants that while some treatments administered at higher doses than originally prescribed will not harm the animal, others must be used exactly as directed to avoid toxicity.

Attendees of Lincoln University's Sheep Shearing School shearing sheep while instructors stay nearby to help.

The event also featured guest instructors with professional shearing and wool-processing experience.

Pietro "Monti" Monticelli, who has partnered with Lincoln University for three years through his sheep shearing business, shared advice with participants alongside his wife, Maranda Weathermon and their daughter.

Weathermon operates a fiber processing business washing, scouring and combing wool for sale to hand spinners.

"Our shearing business has a program where if our shepherd has quality wool but they don't want to keep it, we take it and process it," Weathermon said. "Then I sell it at fiber markets and anything we make off of it, I give them 50% back."

Monticelli added wool unsuitable for fiber markets can still have value.

"If it's not of quality, we sell it for insulation and to use in gardens and beehives," he said. "If we don't process it, 100% of the proceeds go back to them."

The couple noted that having multiple instructors present allows participants to observe different approaches to shearing, adding that the technique can vary based on each shearer's needs.

"I have a different technique than someone more her size," Monticelli said, explaining how he asked his daughter to assist one participant. "When you're doing this, it's all technique, and I can't explain to someone of a very different height how I move around the animal."

By the end of the two-day program, participants left with new skills, practical experience and industry connections - continuing a long-standing Lincoln University tradition of supporting small ruminant producers through hands-on agricultural education.