Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Reid Redden, 325-653-4576, Reid.Redden@ag.tamu.edu
Registration now open for third annual AgriLife Extension shearing school slated for Jan. 13-15 in San Angelo. Kraig Chandler, Texas A&M AgriLife Research assistant at San Angelo, left, provides instruction to Tracy Mason a participant in a previous school. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Steve Byrns)
SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has opened registration for its Third Annual Sheep Shearing School set Jan. 13-15 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87.
“We’ve had a growing enrollment for this school since its inception in 2015,” said Dr. Reid Redden, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo. “Participant slots are limited due to the hands-on instruction, so we are encouraging those interested to register as soon as possible.”
Individual registration is $150 for Texas residents and $250 for non-residents. The minimum age is 16 years old. Students will receive a sheep shearing handbook and DVD. Previous students will receive a $100 discount. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 1. Apply online at http://agrilife.org/sheepandgoat/registration or call 325-653-4576. Further information is also available at that number.
Redden said the school is meant to train the next generation of shearers by offering the most innovative technology available to harvest wool.
“The work is physically taxing, as is the school, so participants should be aware the skills taught involve hard physical labor,” he said. “They should arrive willing to work and dressed in proper working attire.
“Whether you are new to sheep shearing, want to learn a new style of shearing, as we are teaching the international shearing pattern, often called ‘Australian style’, or want to brush up on your technique, this school will provide the ideal setting for any or all of those options.”
Redden said the goal for all these schools is to develop industry professionals willing to use the most efficient technique, equipment and tools to harvest wool on a commercial scale.
“We advise against taking the school just to learn to shear a small personal flock, because learning to properly shear sheep takes years of hard work and practice,” he said.
The school is a collaborative effort among AgriLife Extension, the American Sheep Industry Association and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association.
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via source AgriLife TODAY | Registration opens for Third Annual AgriLife Extension shearing school Jan. 13-15 in San Angelo set
For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Maggie Tucker at maggie.tucker@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.