Behind the Scenes at Historic Sieben Ranch Sheep Shearing

For many people, the thought of Montana and the west will bring to mind the traditional cowboy probably moving cattle across a dusty prairie or through the mountains.  But Montana was also built on another animal with big herd numbers.

via GIPHY

Sheep ranchers are still plentiful across both prairie and mountains in the state, though numbers have tapered off in recent years.  The Montana State University Extension Sheep Program is hoping to soon revive those numbers with the new wool research lab and help from local ranchers.

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Behind the Scenes at Historic Sieben Ranch Sheep Shearing

The MSU Extension Sheep Program is designed "to address specific needs of Montana sheep producers" and to also "provide programs, knowledge, and assistance to sheep producers throughout Montana and the Rocky Mountain region".

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In conjunction with the Montana State Wool Growers Association, the "program is dedicated to developing and implementing non-traditional adjustment strategies that will increase the competitiveness of Montana’s lamb and wool industry in the world market".  In turn, sheep ranchers are helping by donating sheared wool for research.

Sieben Ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana - Historic Ranch Sheep Shearing

One of those ranches that are helping is the historic Sieben Ranch in Wolf Creek, between Helena and Great Falls, Montana.  The ranch annually participates in the MSU Extension Program when the winter shear happens.

Check Out the Gallery Below 👇 For a Look at Sheep Shearing in Montana

Once the wool arrives at the lab, the "wool lab conducts research projects associated with objective measurement of wool and collaborates with scientists throughout the west concerning wool aspects of their research activities."  You can learn more about the MSU program here.