SUGGESTED SHEARING SCHEDULE FOR VALAIS BLACKNOSE SHEEP
All shearing times are suggestions. Climates vary across the states, adjust to what works best for your flock.
BREEDING STOCK
Shear ewes & rams at min 30 days prior to breeding.
Helps prevent wool wrap on rams during breeding.
Helps with cleanliness and can prevent damage from wool on ewes as well.
Shear a min of 2x a year. Approximately every 6 months.
Shear no closer then 30 days prior to lambing.
Extreme cold areas can shear bums and belly's to clear areas for birthing and lambs to nurse.
NON SHOW SHEEP
Warm/hot climates, recommended shear 3-4x a year to help keep sheep cool.
Spring, Mid summer & Fall. In extreme heat a late summer can be added as needed.
SHOW STOCK
Growth of wool can vary depending on the shows selected & climate. *Keep sheep cool in full wool.
Minimum growth should be 3 months.
4 - 6 months of growth is ideal.
Coming out of winter, wool can grow faster than through the summer months.
7 months of wool can work, but is getting to the felting stage and harder to manage.
Body & legs should be sheared at the same time. No “fitted” look permitted for Valais showing.
Depending on heat in the area of the show, if wool needs to be shorter, just have the legs to match so the “fitted” look is not present. No slick shorn.
Month will vary for date of show. Shows around the 1st, may need to shear month prior to that listed.
January show
6 months - Shear August
4 months - Shear October
February Show
6 months - Shear September
4 months - Shear November
March Show
6 months - Shear October
4 months - Shear December
April Show
6 months - Shear November
4 months - Shear January
May Show
6 months - Shear December
4 Months - Shear February
June Show
6 months - Shear January
4 Months - Shear March
July Show
6 months - Shear February
4 Months - Shear April
August Show
6 Months - Shear March
4 Months - Shear May
September Show
6 Months - Shear April
4 Months - Shear June
October Show
6 Months - Shear May
4 Months - Shear July
November Show
6 Months - Shear June
4 Months - Shear August
Decembers Show
6 Months - Shear July
4 Months - Shear September
Download Printable PDF of Shearing Schedule: