GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – You can see sheep every day at the Nebraska State Fair, but Friday night you can see more than 100 of them get a new haircut during the sheep shearing competition.

More than 20 competitors from three categories: Amateur, intermediate and professional. One hundred and thirty sheep gathered in Five Points Bank Arena for the competition.

The competition returns to the fair after a nearly 30-year absence.

The competitors were judged on their skills while shearing different sheep. According to certified shearer Katherine Moser, the competition is about more than just removing all the wool.

“When the sheep are done, they’re also judged on the quality of the sheep, so if you’ve got even lines on the sheep and no ridges, and a smooth haircut instead of all fluffy,” Moser said. “So the quality of the sheep, the quality of the fleece produced and the time.”

Mark Burenheide recently won the amateur division at the Iowa State Fair, which means he had to compete in the professional division on Friday. Burenheide said one of the best parts of these competitions is learning different techniques and tricks from other shearers.

“You go out and shear for people, but ultimately you want to be the one shearing the sheep, not necessarily the fastest, but ultimately the best product,” Burenheide said. “Make sure that lamb or whatever leaves the barn without wool, so it has a good chance of making it through to next year. They do a lot better without their wool, they’re not as warm, it helps them out tremendously.”

The top prize was $500.

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