Genetics & Reproduction
Animal Science
Department 3684
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2224
Fax: (307) 766-2355
Email: animalscience@uwyo.edu
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).
Meeting Late Season Grazing Gaps for Sheep with Sudangrass & Sorghum X Sudangrass Hybrids
Recommendations to Help Lambs Excel through Weaning and Shipping Stress
Production & Management
Lamb & Wool
Effects of harvest season on carcass characteristics of lambs in the Intermountain West
Nutrition & Health
Mineral nutrition considerations for extensive sheep production systems
288 Forage mineral and nutrient element concentrations on sheep winter range
Effects of dietary Zn on ewe milk minerals and somatic cell count
Impacts of dietary zinc concentrations on lamb feedlot performance
Toxic plants in sheep diets grazing extensive landscapes: Insights from Fecal DNA metabarcoding
Industry Publications & News
The Shepherd - a guide for sheep and farm life
Sheep Industry
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
Animal Science
Department 3684
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2224
Fax: (307) 766-2355
Email: animalscience@uwyo.edu