Alpaca Shearing in New York

Alpaca shearing is one of the most important annual management tasks for New York alpaca owners. When done correctly, it protects animal health, harvests valuable fiber, and reduces stress for both alpacas and handlers. When done poorly, it can result in injuries, heat stress, ruined fleece, and a slew of other issues. 

Ebel Shearing Services is based out of Western New York and provides professional alpaca shearing throughout New York State and beyond, offering humane, efficient, alpaca-specific shearing backed by over 15 years of experience and 50,000+ alpacas shorn. We work with farms of all sizes, from small hobby herds to large commercial operations.

When Are Alpacas Sheared in New York?

In New York, alpacas are typically shorn once per year, with shearing season running from April through June.

The exact timing can depend on:

• Spring weather patterns

• Overnight temperatures

• Herd health and body condition

• Farm location within the state

• Availability of your shearer

Most farms aim to shear before consistent warm weather arrives, reducing the risk of heat stress as temperatures rise.

At Ebel Shearing Services, we help farms select the ideal shearing window based on real-world New York conditions — not a one-size-fits-all date. Though most herds sheared within the range of mid-April to mid-June in New York will fare well. 

How Often Do Alpacas Need to Be Sheared?

For the vast majority of alpacas in New York, annual shearing is sufficient and recommended.

Annual shearing:

• Prevents overheating in the summer

• Improves mobility and comfort

• Reduces parasite and skin issues

• Produces a clean, usable fiber harvest

Skipping or delaying shearing can negatively affect alpaca health and fiber quality, particularly in New York’s humid summer climate.

Why Scheduling Alpaca Shearing Early Matters

One of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of alpaca shearing in New York is early scheduling.

Because:

• Shearing season is short

• New York has thousands of alpacas

• Experienced alpaca shearers are limited

• Professional shearers book up well in advance

At Ebel Shearing Services, our spring calendar often fills up months ahead of time, particularly for the most preferred dates. We do work all across the US, and can’t fit everybody into our schedule, especially when asked at the last minute. But New York farms get a little special treatment from us – we like working closer to home and in our home state, so we can almost always fit New York alpacas into our schedule - even when contacted late. But the earlier you contact us to get onto our schedule, the better; that way, you can ensure we can get to you before the hot and humid weather sets in and puts your animals at risk. 

Scheduling early helps you:

• Secure a timely shearing date

• Avoid last-minute scrambling

• Ensure alpacas are shorn before heat becomes an issue

• Allow efficient route planning for traveling shearers

We strongly recommend contacting us in winter or early spring to reserve your spot.

How Many Alpacas Are in New York?

New York is home to over fifteen thousand alpacas across hundreds of farms, making it one of the strongest alpaca regions in the Northeast.

This growing population increases:

• Demand for professional alpaca shearers

• Competition for spring shearing dates

• The importance of hiring experienced, alpaca-specific professionals

Ebel Shearing Services has extensive experience working with New York herds of all sizes and understands the logistical and seasonal challenges unique to the state.

Alpaca Shearing Cost in New York: What to Expect

Alpaca shearing costs in New York can vary depending on:

• Herd size

• Travel distance

• Services requested (shearing only vs. nails, dental work, etc.)

• Set up and farm preparedness

While price matters, experience and animal welfare matter more. Improper or rushed shearing can cost far more in damaged fiber, injuries, or long-term stress issues.

Ebel Shearing Services provides fair, transparent pricing based on real-world conditions and professional standards. We’re always happy to discuss expectations ahead of time so there are no surprises on shearing day.

Professional Alpaca Shearer vs. DIY Shearing

Some alpaca owners consider shearing their own animals — especially new or small farms. However, alpaca shearing is not a beginner task.

Professional alpaca shearers bring:

• Specialized equipment

• Alpaca-specific handling techniques

• Speed without rushing (ideal for minimal stress on animals)

• Reduced risk of cuts and injuries

• Veterinary first aid know-how

• Significantly better fiber results

Alpaca anatomy and behaviors can be tricky, and restraint must be done correctly. Hiring a professional alpaca shearer often saves time, reduces stress, and protects both animals and handlers.

Why Choose Ebel Shearing Services

Ebel Shearing Services is trusted by hundreds of alpaca farms throughout New York because we focus on quality, safety, and communication.

What sets us apart:

• Alpaca-specific expertise — not adapted sheep methods

• Low-stress handling using padded mats and controlled positioning

• Award-winning experience, including multiple North American Alpaca Shearing Competition wins

• Efficient, experienced crews capable of handling animals and herds of any size

• Clear, responsive communication from scheduling through shearing day

• We treat every alpaca with care and every farm with respect.

What to Expect on Shearing Day

When you book with Ebel Shearing Services, you can expect a smooth, professional process focused on animal welfare.

Typical services include:

• Full alpaca shearing

• Toenail trimming

• Optional dental care

• Clean fiber removal with minimal second cuts

  
  

Farm preparation tips:

• Alpacas should be dry

• Provide a clean, flat shearing area

• Ensure access to electricity

• Have fleece bags ready if saving fiber

We’re always happy to answer prep questions in advance, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Serving Alpaca Farms Across New York, The Northeast & Beyond

Ebel Shearing Services is based in New York, but our work extends far beyond a single region. We proudly provide professional alpaca shearing services across all regions of New York State, while also traveling extensively throughout the Northeast, the United States, and internationally for scheduled shearing tours.

Serving All Regions of New York State

We regularly shear alpacas throughout every major region of New York, including:

• Western New York (Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara, Orleans County, and surrounding areas)

  
  

• Finger Lakes Region (Canandaigua, Ithaca, Seneca Falls, Geneva, and nearby counties)

  
  

• Central New York (Syracuse, Auburn, Cortland, and surrounding communities)

  
  

• Southern Tier (Binghamton, Elmira, Corning, and neighboring areas)

  
  

• Capital Region (Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and the Hudson Valley)

  
  

• Mohawk Valley (Utica, Rome, Herkimer, and nearby towns)

  
  

• North Country (Watertown, Plattsburgh, Adirondack region)

  
  

• Hudson Valley (Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Newburgh, and surrounding areas)

  
  

• Downstate New York, including Long Island and the New York City metro area (where applicable for farm locations)

If you’re searching for alpaca shearing in New York, an alpaca shearer near me, or professional alpaca shearing services in NY, chances are we already work in your area. We circle New york mutliple times each spring and also shear the alpacas for the majority of the New York Empire Alpaca Association Board Members.

Alpaca Shearing Across the Northeast

In addition to New York, Ebel Shearing Services routinely works with alpaca farms throughout the Northeastern United States, including:

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Georgia

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• North Carolina

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• South Carolina

• Vermont

• Virginia

• Hawaii

• West Virginia

• Albama

• Arkansas

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Minnesota

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• Michigan

• Ohio

• Tennessee

Our Northeast routes are carefully planned each season to allow efficient scheduling for farms while maintaining high standards of care and professionalism.

Nationwide & International Alpaca Shearing

Ebel Shearing Services is not limited by geography. We have experience shearing alpacas across the United States and internationally, working with farms, breeders, and organizations that value expert handling and fiber quality.

We travel for:

• Large herds or multi-farm routes

• Regional and national shearing tours

• Specialty or high-volume shearing needs

• Farms seeking top-tier, experienced alpaca shearers

If you’re located outside the Northeast, we’re happy to discuss custom travel arrangements depending on timing, herd size, and location.

Why Location Experience Matters

Shearing alpacas in New York is different from shearing in warmer or drier climates. Weather, humidity, fleece condition, and farm setup all vary by region.

Our extensive regional and national experience allows us to:

• Adapt shearing techniques to climate and conditions

• Work efficiently in a wide range of farm setups

• Handle diverse animal and fleece conditions and herd management styles

• Maintain consistent animal welfare standards everywhere we go

This flexibility is one of the reasons farms continue to bring us back year after year.

Book Your Alpaca Shearing Early

With New York’s short shearing season and large alpaca population, early scheduling is the key to securing a date for shearing your alpacas.

If you’re in New York, the Northeast, or anywhere else in the U.S. (or beyond), contact Ebel Shearing Services to discuss availability. Reach out early to reserve your shearing date and work with a trusted, professional alpaca shearing team that puts animal welfare first. 

Professional alpaca shearing is an investment in your animals, your fiber, and your peace of mind — no matter where your farm is located.