Shearers

Please let us know of any outdated information on our list.  If you still can’t find a shearer, call your local 4-H office and see if a high schooler is available.  The American Sheep Industry has a national list of shearers that can be selected by state.  There are also listings for Canada.

Here are some tips for finding a shearer.

Shearers

Following Make Annual Trips to NJ/PA Area

Call for Travel Schedule

        • Maryland

          New Jersey

          Mercer, Hunterdon & Somerset Counties
              • Christian Bench 908-399-4220 (Milford)
              • Joseph Coppola 908-229-7167 [email protected]  Trained with John Kohanski and Hoyt Emmons.
              • John A. Kohanski 609-466-3280 (Ringoes)
                Shearing 1 to 50+ in NJ, Eastern PA, NY and CT. ASI certified,
                born and raised on a sheep farm with over 30 yrs experience.
                Worming and hoof trimming performed. Angora goats and Lamas are
                welcome. For more info see: www.kohanski.com
              • Alex Mundy 908-391-0970 (Pittstown).
              • John Terzuolo 908-399-1389 (Clinton)
              • Benjamin Urmston 908-303-5167 (Clinton), trained with John Kohanski and Hoyt Emmons.
          Middlesex, Monmouth & Ocean Counties
              • Richard Chillemi 732-536-1872 (Englishtown)
              • Mike Leuchs 732-600-5415 (Toms River)
                Shears sheep, llamas, alpacas, goats and hoof trims potbelly pigs.
              • Drew Lucas 732-446-4543 (Englishtown)
          Burlington, Camden, Gloucester & Salem Counties
                • Bob McArdle 856-358-2329 (Elmer)

              • Margaret Quinn 609-529-7227 (Bordentown)
          Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic & Union Counties
              • None
          Warren, Morris & Sussex Counties
              • None
          Atlantic, Cape May & Cumberland Counties

          Pennsylvania

          Bradford County

          Bucks, Northhampton, Lehigh & Montgomery Counties
              • Hoyt Emmons 215-541-0566 (Pennsburg)
                Professional shearing service in Southeastern PA and NJ. Over 20 years  experience, BS Degree in Animal Husbandry. Specializing in small flocks, hand spinners, and pet sheep and goats.
              • Joel Markeveys 215-345-0897 (Doylestown) Travels to NJ
          Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster & York Counties
              • Nathan Good 717-927-9483 (Brogue)
              • Martin Gutekunst 717-652-3702 (Harrisburg)
              • David Matthews 717-993-3630 (Stewartstown)
              • Radell Peters 717-367-4084 (Elizabethtown)
              • Randy Stitzel 610-944-9247 (Fleetwood)
              • Ken Synder 717-862-3120 (Airville)
          Perry & Synder County
            • Pete Brummer 717-589-3401 (Millerstown)
            • Carl Geissinger 717-543-5130 (McClure)

Tips on Finding a Shearer

  • Finding a shearer for your flock can be quite challenging, so plan ahead.  Call in January or February to get on a shearer’s schedule.
  • Many shearers will travel outside their geographic area but probably only come to your area once each year. Expect to pay their travel expenses.
  • Coordinate with neighboring farms to get a shearer to your area. Provide a map and directions for getting from farm to farm.
  • Expect to pay more if you have a small flock. Make sure your shearer is fully compensated for travel costs, set-up times and other delays to encourage them to come back next year.
  • Expect to pay a lot more if you have a small flock, inadequate facilities, uncontrollable animals, and a mixture of species (eg 2 sheep, 1 goat, 1 llama). Let the shearer know what to expect so s/he can prepare.
  • Be flexible. Can you take a day off during the week for shearing? Can you be available at the last minute if the shearer gets a cancellation? Does your barn have adequate lighting for evening shearing? Give yourshearer options.
  • Remember that some shearers are only available in the spring whereas others shear year round. Some will travel considerable distance whereas others only shear locally. And some may not be taking new customers this year. In other words, you may have to call a lot of shearers to find one suitable for your needs.
  • Call your local 4-H office and see if a high school or college student is available.
  • Learn to shear your own sheep. Delaware Valley College in Bucks County, PA runs a shearing class each year. Plus there are several books on the market that will show you how. Or, if you only have a couple of sheep and are adventuresome, just buy a pair of hand shearers and snip off the wool with your sheep standing up in a fitting stand.

Updated: November 16, 2024