Sheep Shearing School Trains Future Producers in Missouri

By Blake Jackson

Sheep producers and future shepherds came together on March 4-5 at Lincoln University of Missouri’s George Washington Carver Farm for the school’s long-running Sheep Shearing School, a program that has trained small ruminant producers for more than 40 years.

The 2026 session marked the 42nd year of the hands-on training. Despite advancements in agricultural technology, the core shearing techniques taught remain largely unchanged since the program began in the 1980s.

Participation is intentionally limited to ensure quality instruction, and this year’s 20 available spots quickly filled with attendees from Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. Participants ranged from experienced sheep owners to beginners preparing to start 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, a program coordinator at the Carver Farm.

Instructor Guy Frazier, who has led the program for more than two decades, aims to ensure each attendee shears at least two sheep. Training began with a classroom demonstration covering safe handling and proper shearing techniques.

“What I use is a non-detergent oil. You can also buy mineral oil,” Frazier told attendees. “A non-detergent oil will stick to surfaces better than a detergent.”

He explained that sheep’s lanolin helps lubricate equipment, unlike animals such as alpacas. Frazier also advised proper blade cleaning, noting, “We want a clean, sharp edge.”

On day two, participants practiced shearing under instructor guidance.

“Get your sheep and get going!” instructors called out.

Frazier demonstrated positioning methods, saying, “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.”

Victoria Thomas described the work as physically demanding, while producer Gary Cochenour said, “It was not as bad as I thought it would be.”

Guest instructors Pietro “Monti” Monticelli and Maranda Weathermon also shared insights on wool processing and marketing.

“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.

Monticelli added, “If it’s not of quality, we sell it for insulation and to use in gardens and beehives.”

Photo Credit: istock-globalp