Selecting an Alpaca Shearer
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Selecting an Alpaca Shearer
Shearing is a welfare concern; therefore, choosing a skilled and gentle shearer is essential. Price should not be the sole consideration. Look for shearers who handle animals carefully, work efficiently, and minimize stress. They should be knowledgeable about legal requirements and produce smooth, even shaves with minimal second cuts, resulting in a quality fleece. Recommendations from other alpaca owners can be very helpful, as skill levels vary among shearers. This website does not endorse any specific shearer.
Floor vs. Table Shearing
- Floor Shearing: Alpacas are restrained on the ground, typically with ropes. This method can be quicker for large herds but is more physically demanding for the shearer.
- Table Shearing: Alpacas are secured on a raised table, which takes longer to set up but is generally easier on the shearer, gentler for the animal, and allows for better fleece collection.
Timing for Shearing in NZ
Most alpacas are shorn from late spring to early summer (October to December), depending on the region. Shearing helps prevent overheating during summer, allows fleece regrowth before winter, and ensures year-round comfort.
Find a New Zealand Shearer
Below is a directory of known alpaca shearers nationwide. Select your region from the dropdown menu to view available shearers in that area. If you know of a shearer not listed, please let us know. If you are a shearer and want to be added, please email all relevant details to [email protected]
| Details | Contact | Area | Toenails | Injections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Oldfield | 027 529 2491 [email protected] |
Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua to Palmerston North | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sean's Shearing Andy |
027 309 4453 | North Island | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shear Light Cass |
021 034 9950 [email protected] |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ |
| Small Farm Services Hawkes Bay Charlotte & Justin Bray |
027 817 6646 [email protected] |
Hawkes Bay | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daniel Wark | 03 485 9771 027 222 3569 [email protected] |
Central Otago | ||
| Ebel Shearing Services | +1(315)628 1191 www.alpaca-shearing.com |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ |
| Thief of Hearts Eric Lister |
06 357 8177 027 325 8101 [email protected] |
Palmerston North (Take alpacas to him) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Eweniversal Shearing | 022 078 0919 [email protected] |
Canterbury, Otago, Southland | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gallagher - Cass & Ron | [email protected] | |||
| Gus Patterson | 03 689 8516 >027 303 0544 [email protected] |
Canterbury, Otago | ✓ | ✓ |
| James Dixon | 0061-242-570-120 0061-403-402-114 |
Otago, Canterbury | ✓ | ✓ |
| Janice Aldridge | 06 752 0668 [email protected] |
Taranaki to Whanganui | ✓ | ✓ |
| JB Farm Services Jared Bambry |
027 259 5062 [email protected] |
Hawkes Bay to Wellington, Manawatu to Wanganui | ✓ | ✓ |
| Jeremy Martin | 022 301 9912 [email protected] |
Northland, Auckland, Waikato | ✓ | ✓ |
| Riverdale Alpacas Julie Mansell |
07-873-6470 [email protected] |
Waikato (Other areas by arrangement) | ||
| Waiheke Alpaca Keenan & Lisa Scott |
09 372 5293 021 033 5589 [email protected] |
North Island | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part of Lifestyle Vets Dairy Flat Laura Schwerdtfeger |
027 838 5433 [email protected] |
Auckland, Rodney (Emergency Shearers only) | ||
| Leon Jovanovic | 027 372 8860 [email protected] |
Western Bay of Plenty | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mesa Land | 027-442-6847 [email protected] |
Northland (Other areas possible) | ||
| Matthews Shearing Michael Matthews |
027 337 8925 [email protected] |
South Island | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shearpac Mike Banks |
021-256-2839 [email protected] |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mike Morgan | 03 327 8952 021 251 7742 [email protected] |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mr Clip | 027 485 3234 [email protected] |
Auckland and North | ||
| Nigel Wood | 03 231 3112 027 468 1903 [email protected] |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sean's Shearing Sean |
027 484 4047 | North Island | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shun Oishu | 021-029 31781 [email protected] |
Auckland, Northland, Canterbury | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sonia and John Cavey | 027 833 5489 [email protected] |
Taranaki | ||
| The Shearer | 022 578 9442 [email protected] |
Nationwide | ||
| Wilton Small Mob Shearing Mike & Nicola Wilton |
020 4011 7629 [email protected] |
South Canterbury | ✓ | ✓ |