Events
Shearing School | June 10-12, 2022 — Carcass Ultrasound School | Aug. 13-14, 2022
Both events are sponsored by the U of I Sheep Center and the Idaho Wool Growers Association.
- Shearing School — is to supply the state and surrounding areas with skilled shearers in hopes to mitigate the current deficit of labor in the nation.
- Carcass Ultrasound School — is to offer training for sheep producers and ultrasound technicians to increase the production of their flocks and utilize ultrasound technology to predict their breeding stocks’ carcass merit.
We will meet for approximately eight hours a day. It will be hot, please be sure to hydrate.
Location — U of I Sheep Center, 950 Farm Rd., Moscow.
Lodging — All hotels in Moscow are less than 15 minutes away but the Best Western Plus University Inn is less than 1/4 mile from the sheep center.
Attire — Please consider the warm weather in Moscow. While keeping this in mind proper attire is flat soled shoes to shear in and pants. Long sleeves are suggested if you have sensitive skin to sun or sheep. The oils used to ultrasound can also be damaging to clothes please wear clothing that is able to be stained.
Food — Lunch will be provided each day, please call or email Dino Vinci with any food restrictions.
Participants — Schools are open to anyone 15 years of age or older. Students will learn the skills of shearing sheep, proper equipment preparation and maintenance, packaging of wool for optimum market value, and several other topics regarding quality sheep and wool production. Participants will learn the skills of carcass ultra-sounding (loin depth and backfat), proper equipment preparation and maintenance, how to submit measurements and several other topics regarding quality sheep scanning.
Enrollment — Shearing School is limited to the first 10 who register. Carcass Ultrasound School is limited to the first 15 who register. Registration will be based on a first come first serve basis. Registration will close when the school is full.
Contact for further information
Dino Vinci, Sheep Center Manager
480-290-8143
dvinci@uidaho.edu
Tentative Schedules
Shearing School
Friday, June 10 — Meet at U of I Sheep Center
- 8 a.m. — Welcome and introduction — Dino Vinci
- Course review — Pierre & Martin Dibble/Dino Vinci
- Sheep first aid/biosecurity for shearers — WSU 4th Year Students
- Shearing equipment setup — Pierre & Martin
- Introduction to shearing — Pierre & Martin
- Throwing, skirting and rolling a fleece — Martin & Ethan
- Noon — Lunch provided
- Handling sheep for shearing — Pierre & Martin/Dino
- Shearing instruction, continued — Pierre & Martin
- Wool packaging and care — Martin
- Grinding combs and cutters — Pierre & Martin/Jerry
Saturday, June 11 — Meet at Shearing Trailer
- 8 a.m. — Check in — Dino
- Shearing instruction — Pierre & Martin
- Physical conditioning of the shearer — Pierre & Martin/Dino
- Quality wool clip: Prevention of contaminates — Jerry
- Noon — Lunch provided
- Shearing Instruction, continued — Pierre & Martin
Sunday, June 12 — Meet at Shearing Trailer
- 8 a.m. — Check in — Dino
- Shearing Instruction — Pierre & Martin
- Noon — Lunch provided
- Shearing instruction, continued — Pierre & Martin
- The handpiece, maintenance and repair — Pierre & Martin/Jerry
- Shearing with electric shearing handpiece — Pierre & Martin/Jerry
- Sharpening, combs and cutters — Pierre & Martin
- The business of a shearer — Pierre & Martin & MaryCla
Carcass Ultrasound School
Saturday, Aug. 13 — Meet at U of I Sheep Center
- 8 a.m. — Welcome and introduction — Dino Vinci
- Instruction to sheep ultra-sounding — Dr. Alison Crane
- Carcass breakdown — Vandal Meats
- Noon — Lunch provided
- Begin carcass ultrasound instruction — Dr. Alison Crane
- Carcass ultrasound practice — Dr. Alison Crane
Sunday, Aug. 14 — Meet at Shearing Trailer
- 8 a.m. — Check in — Dino Vinci
- Carcass ultrasound practice — Dr. Alison Crane
- Noon — Lunch provided
- Ultrasound testing and certification