Monday, June 1, 2015
Shearing time!
after my 1st shorn alpaca during the seminar in Oregon
Shearing adventure for many of you is already gone but for the Rocky Mountain region and for us at Spanish Peaks Alpacas it has just begun!
I attended Premium Harvest's Shearing seminar in Oregon last weekend and for 3 days I learned about anything and everything possible to make shearing time a fun time. Franc is awesome and he can explain so much and our seminar group got a good amount of guidance how to shear, remove and preserve the best fleece without 2nd cuts and how to skirt and collect the best alpaca hair. We even sheared a Llama standing up! One day I need to purchase a second electric shear and a few more combs and cutters to have enough, also need better shearing mats, and much more, but not this year!
Also I met the best hosts at Eldora Suri Alpacas south of Portland. Leanne was so helpful to explain to me everything that she is doing. I saw little chickens hatching in an incubator, met their livestock guard dogs, some cats, wonderful Suris, and so much more - all in all it was well worth it to travel 13 hours in one direction by myself. I had a great time and learned a lot! And after my herd is shorn and 64 more alpacas shorn I will become a certified shearer! How cool is that?
Last year during shearing time I was stressed and exhausted when I sheared my own alpacas here at Spanish Peaks Alpacas, this year I sheared the first third of our herd in 2 days and I had fun! I still was exhausted though. I am not the youngest anymore to crawl around and shear, and collect fleece and cut toenails and do teeth, but with the help of my two men (husband and son) we did just fine. My back was aching, my hips are sore, but 13 of my alpacas are happy to be naked.
To all of you who still have to shear your alpacas: Happy clipping!