USU Sheep Shearing School 2026

Sheep shearing has been part of farm life for as long as sheep have been part of the farm. Sheep provide valuable resources for clothing, rugs, insulation and many other products. However, qualified sheep shearers are becoming harder to find. After successfully completing this course you will be able to shear your own sheep, your neighbors’ animals, or refine your skills and become a professional sheep shearer.

This 3-day, hands-on course is ideal for beginners as well as advanced shearers. It is designed to teach shearing while maintaining high quality wool clip and minimizing stress to you and the sheep. You will also learn about shearing equipment, proper shearing clothing and exercises, equipment care and sharpening combs and cutters. Class size is limited to 15 students, so please consider early enrollment.

Shearing school participants will be taught by Doug Rathke, a certified instructor of the New Zealand Wool Board, and sheep shearer Anthony Steinfeldt, who has sheared sheep for small flock owners in Utah and Idaho for over 30 years. This will be the eighth year we have held the school and Doug and Anthony have been instructors for all the schools.

TUITION includes three days of instruction, three lunches and one evening meal graciously covered by sponsors of the school. ​

TUITION FEE is $300 (before midnight, January 13, 2026)​

$325 January 13, 2026 and after if there are openings.

N O REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.

Contact: Chad Page, Utah State University, chad.page@usu.edu, (435) 797-2154

Sponsors: Utah State University • Utah Wool Growers Association; Utah Wool Marketing Group; Intermountain Farmers Association, Logan UT; Superior Farms American Lamb6