| |  Herders
We employ professional Sheepherders from USA and Peru. We provide them with Border Collies, housing and everything they need to shepherd our sheep in all types of grazing conditions.- Most of our herders come to work in the US on an H2A visa from Peru, we also hire American Sheepherders. They are allowed to work here for three years and then must return to Peru for tree months before returning for another contract of three years. We can renew their contracts up to five times. This means they can work in the US for 15 years. Only the best herders usually get invited back for that many contracts. While they are in the US they learn English and some get driver's licenses.
- Their main task is to provide protection and herding of the bands of sheep. A band of sheep is anywhere from 800 to 1000 or more ewes and during the summer they would also have their lambs with them.
- While on the grass-circles our herders put up and take down all the fencing required for grazing and haul water to the sheep. Their main task of course is to watch over the sheep and provide protection and doctor any sheep in need.
- It is very important to have highly experience herders during lambing season. We require 2-3 herders for lambing 1200 ewes over 6 weeks. We always have one fulltime herder working through the night. Lambing is a 24 hour operation.
Current Herders:| Garcia: Peruvian, Age 34. Garcia transfered to us from California this spring. He went directly upto the mountain to help Jorge. He will transfer back to California on Sept. 1st. That was the agreement I made with his other boss. He needs him back in fali. for lambing. |  | | | | Jorge: Peruvian, Age 33. Jorge is the second herder we have had on our ranch. He is the first herder we sent to the mountain allotment with our sheep. He herded 1200 ewes and 1200 lambs for 3.5 months on very steep ground. Jorge has a wife and two sons in Peru. He is a very hard worker and excellent shepherd. |  |  |  |
Past Herders:| Jose: Peruvian, Age 23. Jose is a half brother to Jorge. Jose has been in the US since Sept. 2008. I brought him here on a H2A visa with a referral from Jorge. Jose has a wife and new baby in Peru. He is motivated to be working the US. Jose worked for me for half a year. He worked through the winter and lambing in the spring. I then transferred him to another rancher in April 2009. |  |  |  |
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