Anyone been to a Stierwalt clinic?

[jlingle]

I'm gonna take my daughter to a Stierwalt clinic this summer & was looking to see if anyone had ever been to one before.  Are they as good as they're made out to be?  I've been told they're pretty thorough, and very informative.

 

[vet tech]

I went to one last year. It was a great great experience!! Very informative! very fun....he is a very nice guy and will help everyone out!

 

[SKF]

My daughter went last year and loved it. She learned so much. My son went a couple of times loved it each time he went. Take a notebook because he goes over EVERYTHING. You learn so much  it is money well spent.

 

[showman ne]

its a great investment of time and money

 

[linnettejane]

i would love to go to one...think i might be too old though?  wonder if they ever have any in the tri-state region (ky, oh, wv)?

 

[Jill]

It is well worth the money and if he comes anywhere close I would suggest you do whatever it takes to get there.  Be ready to listen and learn, if you remember half of what he teaches you're in good shape.  Have a great time!

linnettejane, you are never too old to go!  We started talking about going 15 years ago and never got it done, decided this round we were going no matter what, you are never too old to learn.

 

[ba]

  I sent the oldest back in 2001 when it was towards the end of when Kirk had
the clinics at his place and Brian learned quite a bit but more than anything it
made him not afraid to try.

Then in 2003 he came to Terre Haute for a Advanced clipping clinic and the family
attended and picked up more and found out where we were and at what level
for ourselves.
 
  It is not just for kids .there are adults there trying to hone their skills to.
Kirk was in Terre Haute this last weekend for a clinic and all ages attended.



  A big Thank You goes to Kirk for getting him started with the confidence and I
will tell you It is hard to turn them loose but I'm glade I did.

 

[box6rranch]

My daughter and I went to one a few years back. My husband had to work and couldn't go. We took our pb shorthorn heifer that my daughter was showing for the season. We left with strict instruction from the hubby not to clip on the heifer!!! Needless to say we got a lot of kidding for the weekend. Learned a lot anyway and our heifer won grand champion at county and grand champion shorthorn at state. So it was probably a good thing we didn't practice on her (lol)

 

[3GCC]

Me and my son went last year and learned a lot. He really gave my son the confidence to do it himself. And now you can't stop him from clipping. And he's even getting better. If Mr. Steirwalt is on here I for one would like to thank him. He is a very good teacher and person.

 

[Jeferin]

Are there any clinics like this in Wisconsin or Minnesota?

 

[farmboy]

shoot i learned a lot of the dvd's he puts out. good stuff

 

[farwest]

My oldest son went when he was 14.  Not to brag but he was beyond every one else there.  What stierwalt was teaching to beginners he pretty much knew.  I think he has clinics for more advanced.  He did learn some good tips though on halter breaking, hair care, feeding, show day feeding and handling, as well as clipping and grooming.  I went and watched one day and the shocking thing i saw was it was as if he was a calf whisperer.  One kid had a calf who was just plain an idiot and stierwalt took him  and calmed him and was able to do about any thing he wanted with him.  also remember some good tips on foot trimming techniques, also some equipment for kicking calves. 

 

[BCCC]

I haven't ever went to one of his clinics (I would like to someday), But one day we watched a couple of his older videos(I mean from like 96), and the clipping video wasnt very good, but that was when they were still using just sheep clippers, and a old andis clipper that only had a #10 blade, I would like to see his newer videos though.

 

[Sassy Show Stock]

I went last year to his clinic in Riverton, WY, it was an invaluable experience and I opted out of prom so i could go to it last year...this year, for my senior prom, i also decided to spend my money on the Stierwalt clinic and a few local-ish jackpots instead. I can't WAIT til June 11 so i can learn some more skills that will help me get through County and State Fairs as well as my college show team next year!!

Good luck!!

Sara

 

[justintime]

A local feed company brings Kirk Stierwalt up to Canadian Western Agribition each year and he puts on two free clinics each day, over 2 days ( 4 clinics). They are very informative and he is great with the kids and the adults alike. He answers all questions, no matter how elementary they are and he tries to help everyone who asks. Two years ago, he used a white bull calf of mine for one of the clinics. He clipped one side, and the top line in the clinic. A couple hours after the clinic he came by our stall and pulled the bull calf back into a chute and completed a show clip on him. He clipped for another hour and had about 100 people gathered around watching , and asking questions. It was almost the same as another clinic. When he had finished clipping the bull, I tried to pay him something for his work and he refused to take anything. The bull calf went on to win his class later in the week, and to say the he changed this calf would be an understatement! If you have the opportunity to attend one  of his clinics, I would definitely recommend you try to attend. Even if you think you are pretty good at clipping and fitting, I am sure you can learn something.

 

[jlingle]

This was exactly the kind of input I was hoping for.  I asked a local fella who knew Kirk well, how much my daughter and I would learn at the clinic.  The guy said "well, if you were trying to learn how to hit a baseball..... wouldn't you jump at a chance to take batting practice with Barry Bonds?" his meaning was, if you have a chance to learn from the very best, you take the opportunity & don't look back.  I'm excited.  I'm 35 years old and have never shown a calf in my life, I need my kids to learn good habits from the start.  I don't know how to teach them, but I see this as an opportunity to let the best teach them initially, before they form any bad habits on their own.  I also see this as a chance for me to go learn at least SOMETHING about how I'm supposed to be working with these calves & clipping them.  My dad is a former ag teacher, and has raised cattle pretty much his whole life & he's excited about it as well.  I think he may end up going too. 

Thanks for all of your input.

 

[Show Dad]

We were lucky enough to have him come to our county in February (see my blog for a detailed description). It was arranged by those beautiful people at the now famous MBar Ranch!

I have to agree with Farwest (ouch!) on the calf whisper comment. His technique for getting a calf use to clippers around the head is just amazing. His videos are worth the money and a great review aid.

 

[SlickTxMaine]

Our show is slick, so besides the clipping and fitting, is there a lot more to learn from one of his clinics??  Would is still be worthwhile for my son to attend??

 

[farwest]

My opinion would be save the money and buy the videos if you slick shear.  id say 80 per cent is on clipping and fitting. 

 

[MooMooLover]

He is putting on a clinic and judging the Portage County open show this year. It is next weekend, May 1 - 3. If anyone is interested, our county office is sending me the flyer and I could forward it to you.