N.D. Sheep Shearing and Wool Classing Schools set for Nov. 22-24

If you are interested in learning more about sheep shearing or becoming certified for wool classing, plan to attend the North Dakota Sheep Shearing School on Nov. 22-24 at the Hettinger Fairgrounds or the Certified Wool Classing School on Nov. 22-24 at the Hettinger Armory.

The topics to be covered during the sheep shearing school include:

• Professional shearing patterns

• Tagging and eyeing

• Equipment maintenance and repair

• Wool handling and preparation

Instructors for the school are Wade Kopren, a South Dakota professional sheep shearer; Mike Hagens, North Dakota professional sheep shearer; and Reid Redden, North Dakota State University Extension Service sheep specialist.

The school is open to those who are experienced or nonexperienced in sheep shearing. To allow for one-on-one instruction, registration is being limited. The registration deadline is Nov. 7.

The registration fee is $125. The fee includes tuition, handbook, DVD and singlet. The North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association is providing $250 in scholarships to state residents 16 and older. The scholarships will be distributed evenly among qualified applicants.

Topics to be covered during the wool classing school include:

• Wool fiber growth, development and production

• Objective wool measuring

• Genetic selection programs

• Hands-on wool grading

• Wool contamination and handling practices

• Wool classing, packaging, labeling and marking

• Test for level 1 certification

The instructors are Ron Cole, American Sheep Industry Association wool education consultant, and Lisa Surber, Montana State University Wool Lab manager.

The fee for the program is $175, which includes tuition and materials. The classing school is limited to 16 students and the registration deadline is Nov. 7.

For more information on both schools, contact Chris Schauer at (701) 567-4323 or email christopher.schauer@ndsu.edu. Entry fees for both schools can be sent to the Hettinger Research Extension Center, P.O. Box 1377, Hettinger, ND 58639.

The sheep shearing school is sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, NDSU Hettinger REC and NDSU Extension Service. The same organizations, along with the

American Sheep Industry Association, are sponsoring the certified wool classing school.

Schauer, director of the Hettinger REC, is coordinating both events.