UW Sheep Program

Broad Initiatives

Ram Test – Each year the University of Wyoming, in collaboration with the Laramie Research and Extension Center and the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, conducts both a Black Face Ram Sire Test and a White Face Ram Sire Test. The purpose of central performance testing is to generate data to be used as a selection tool for sheep producers. Dr. Whit Stewart, Assistant Professor and Extension Sheep Specialist, and Dr. Hannah Hollinger, Assistant Professor of Animal Genetics work on developing selection indices to aid sheep producers make more informed breeding decisions. Rams are fed and managed under the guidance of Kalli Koepke and Dr. Whit Stewart in Laramie.

Wyoming Wool Growers Annual Meeting – The Wyoming Wool Growers Association has been protecting, promoting, and preserving the sheep and livestock industry since 1903. It is an honor that they choose to work with the UW Animal Science Department to host their annual meetings. Two meetings are held throughout the calendar year – one in November and one in July. The November meeting is a collaborative effort with the West Central States Wool Growers. Each July, members of WWGA travel to Laramie to conduct official business and partake in educational seminars focused on sheep and wool production.

Emerging Entrepreneurs Field Days – UW Extension partners with the Wyoming Wool Growers Association to host this event each year. It is intended to educate both people who may be new to the sheep industry and those who are seasoned producers. Past seminars have included topics such as pasture management, selection of stock, and marketing and feeding lambs. This field day is hosted at sheep ranches located throughout the state of Wyoming allowing attendees to witness varying practices and network with fellow sheep producers.

Performance Lamb Contest – This contest is coordinated each year in conjunction with the Wyoming State Fair. The contest is carcass-based – high carcass-gain per day on feed along with superior muscling, optimal fat, and desirable youthfulness are all evaluated to rank lambs for premium earnings. The UW Animal Science Department works to coordinate the efforts leading up to, during, and following the contest. In addition, a lamb evaluation seminar and contest are hosted concurrently with the performance lamb contest each year. It is intended to teach people the important visual and objective measurements that determine lamb carcass value. For more information, search the annual Wyoming State Fair Premium Book

Individual consultations – Those involved with the UW Sheep Program are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the sheep industry in Wyoming, or to work with you on finding a solution for your sheep operation needs. Individual consultations may be arranged by reaching out to us via email (contact at the bottom of this page).

Wyoming Wool Initiative – Wyoming Wool Initiative promotes synergies in public-private partnerships within the Wyoming Sheep Industry to drive innovations for contemporary challenges. Wyoming Wool Initiative hosts both Blanket Project and Lamb-A-Year, two fundraising efforts that support educational and outreach programs. Funded programs include but are not limited to: 

• Field study opportunities for students 

• Undergraduate internships. 

• Graduate research on value-added components for wool and direct marketing for lamb. 

• Producer Educational Programming at the Wyoming Wool Growers Association meetings. 

• Collegiate and youth wool judging opportunities 

• Sponsorship of the Wyoming State Fair wool show. 

• The Sheepherders Come Bye Awards Dinner at Wyoming Wool Grower Association summer meeting. 

• Sheep seminars across Wyoming 

Lamb-A-Year – University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Wool Initiative launched the state’s first Lamb-a-Year program. The Lamb-a-Year program allows sheep producers to donate lambs to our program and, in return, receive valuable performance and carcass data they can use to inform genetic, management and marketing decision-making. Producers receive detailed reports on their lamb’s performance including growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass and lamb quality information. If interested in participating in Lamb-A-Year please reach out to us via email (contact at the bottom of this page).

Additional Resources 

Industry Publications & News

The Shepherd - a guide for sheep and farm life

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Affiliates & Allied Industry

The UW Sheep Program would not be successful without the extended collaboration with many affiliates and allied industries.

Contact us: 

Dr. Whit Stewart
Extension Sheep Specialist

Phone: (307) 766-2224
Email: whit.stewart@uwyo.edu

University of Wyoming
Department of Animal Science, 3684
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071