Alpaca Shearing Day 2026 – Teamwork, High-Quality Fleece and the Next Generation

Published on 28 May 2026

Professional alpaca shearing is an important part of alpaca care and essential for the wellbeing of the animals. At the same time, it forms the basis for high-quality alpaca fleece, which can later be processed into bedding, yarns or other natural products.

During the Mother’s Day weekend 2026, our Alpaca Shearing Day once again took place in Schönengrund. Over two intensive days, a total of 104 animals – including 95 alpacas and 9 llamas – were shorn calmly, efficiently and professionally.

Family members, junior helpers, our apprentice and friends all helped throughout the entire weekend. Our children have grown up with the annual shearing days and have naturally become part of the team over the years. During a short blade change by the professional shearer, our son Jason took the opportunity to gain his first practical experience shearing some of our own animals under supervision using the second handpiece.

Professional Alpaca Shearing with an Experienced Team

The shearing was once again carried out by our professional Kiwi shearer from New Zealand, supported by his experienced headman. Together with our well-coordinated shearing team, this created a calm and professionally organised workflow – from animal handling and fleece management through to preparing the animals and sorting the wool.

Thanks to the clear division of tasks within the team, the animals could be prepared efficiently, shorn and then safely loaded again afterwards. While some team members prepared and calmly handled the animals, others were responsible for collecting, sorting and packing the wool. Nails and teeth were also checked and trimmed on site where necessary.

Especially with the larger llamas, it once again became clear how important experience, good timing and calm handling are during shearing. A well-coordinated workflow not only ensures efficient work, but also helps create the lowest possible stress levels for both animals and owners.

High-Quality Fleeces and Careful Wool Processing

In addition to the professional shearing itself, the quality of the fleeces once again played an important role. Immediately after shearing, the fleeces were carefully collected, sorted and prepared for further processing.

Particularly impressive this year were several young animals from our Golden Gate bloodlines. Even during shearing, the fine crimp, natural shine and even structure of the fleece were clearly visible.

While the high-quality prime fleeces were sorted separately and prepared for further processing, the shorter fibres were also put to good use. This allows a large proportion of the alpaca wool produced during shearing to be meaningfully reused.

From Alpaca Wool to a Finished Natural Product

After the fleeces had been sorted and graded, the next important step in the process had already begun. The high-quality prime fleeces were collected separately and prepared for further processing. Part of this Swiss alpaca fibre is later used for our Best Alpaca Bedding™ products.

This results in high-quality bedding products made from Swiss alpaca wool, which are processed entirely in Switzerland. Fine, even fleeces with good density and natural shine form an important foundation for the quality of the finished products.

The careful sorting directly after shearing makes it possible to prepare the different fibre qualities specifically for their later use.

Nothing Goes to Waste

The shorter fibres and wool offcuts from the shearing process also continue to be put to good use. Together with green waste and seasonal plant material from regional gardening and landscaping projects, these fibres are further processed on our compost windrows.

Part of the materials shown comes from Brändle Gärten GmbH and Ch. Wenk Umgebungsgestaltung GmbH, which regularly supply green waste from gardens and seasonal plantings. Together with the alpaca wool, these materials are incorporated into our Alparama Terra Preta mixtures. This creates valuable nutrient-rich humus for soil improvement and long-term soil fertility.

For us, making full use of all materials generated during shearing – from the high-quality prime fleece through to the shorter fibres – is an important part of regenerative agriculture and sustainable regional resource use.

A Successful Shearing Weekend 2026

For us, the Mother’s Day weekend 2026 was an intensive but very successful shearing weekend. A total of 104 animals were shorn, with plenty of teamwork, a well-organised workflow and many memorable moments centred around the animals, wool and further processing.

It was especially nice to see how calmly the animals settled back into their groups after shearing and how smoothly the entire weekend ran from start to finish.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all the animal owners, helpers, friends and of course our shearing team, who made this weekend possible.

Behind the Scenes of the Shearing Day

Alpaca Shearing Day 2026 at Alpaka Appenzell

The video offers a short behind-the-scenes look at our Alpaca Shearing Day 2026 – featuring calm animals in the waiting area, filled wool bags, the shearing area and teamwork throughout the day.

Video from the Alpaca Shearing Day 2026 in Schönengrund – a look at the workflow, animals, wool and teamwork throughout the weekend.

Alpaca Shearing Appointments for 2027

If you would like to have your alpacas or llamas shorn at the next Alpaca Shearing Day, we look forward to hearing from you.

The shearing day is intended for owners from the St. Gallen, Appenzell, Toggenburg and surrounding regions, as well as specifically for owners who are not part of the TB health programme.

As spaces are limited, we recommend registering early for the Alpaca Shearing Day 2027.

View Alpaca Shearing Service → Get in Touch →

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