Montana State University Extension Sheep Program

10/06/2026

🐄🐎🐑 Join us for our Winter Livestock Series!

The Garfield County Conservation District and Garfield County Montana Extension Office invite you to an educational afternoon focused on caring for cattle, horses, and sheep as we head into winter.

📅 October 29, 2026
📍 County Meeting Room in Jordan, MT
⏰ 2:00–4:00 p.m.

We are so excited to have Baylie Rodenbaugh and welcome Brent Roder for this Winter Livestock Series!

Topics include:
• 2:00–2:30 p.m.: Horse Maintenance with Baylie Rodenbaugh
• 2:30–3:00 p.m.: Calving Preparation and Nutritional Considerations with Baylie Rodenbaugh
• 3:00–4:00 p.m.: Feed and Nutrition for Livestock During a Drought, plus Sheep Healthcare and Management with Brent Roeder, Sheep and Wool Extension Specialist

Come learn, ask questions, and gather practical information for your livestock operation!

📞 Questions? Contact Macy Bliss at 406-557-2740, ext. 100, or Teo Sinks at 406-557-2770.

We hope to see you there!

10/06/2026

Montana's four-legged friends play an integral role in protecting the state's livestock.

10/04/2026

Good discussion on finding simpler ways to genetically select sheep for worm resistance. This is similar the the research Dr Scott Bowdridge from West Virginia University is doing trying to find a genetic link between general immunity and worm resistance that we can select for in US sheep. The American Lamb Board is helping fund his work and we appreciate the Montana producers who participated in this study this summer.

Head Shepherd · Episode

10/04/2026

The 2026 Montana Beginner Wool Harvesting School is full. A huge thank-you to all our sponsors.

10/03/2026

🐾 SUNDAY at 6pm on Montana Ag Live: Montana's Working Ranch Dogs!
Living in Montana, you’re likely aware of interactions between predators and livestock. However, some of our four-legged friends play an integral role in protecting livestock. This week, Stefanie Leach, Executive Secretary of the Montana Wool Growers Association, joins the panel to help us learn more about this type of working dog.
📺 Sunday 10/4 at 6pm
💻 Stream it: https://watch.montanapbs.org/livestream/
📸 Kris Fedro/Montana PBS

10/02/2026

Every Labor Day weekend, about 500 sheep take over downtown Reed Point.

The Great Montana Sheep Drive started in 1989 as a “spoof” of the Great Montana Centennial Cattle Drive. Thirty-eight years later, the tradition is still going strong, drawing crowds to the tiny town along I-90 for sheep shearing, hay-bale rolling, log sawing and, of course, the main event: watching hundreds of sheep run down the street.

The drive also helps fund the Reed Point Community Club, which supports local projects and events, including an effort to renovate the town’s historic train depot into a public gathering space.

So how did a one-time joke become a nearly four-decade tradition? And what does it take to keep 500 sheep moving in the right direction?

🔗 Read more at the link in the comments.
📸 Matt Calarco for Montana Free Press

10/02/2026

We had a great sale at the 81st Annual Newell Ram Sale a couple weeks ago!! We want to thank all our consignors, buyers, and everyone who pitches in! We could not do it without ALL of you!! Here are some averages from the sale!

09/29/2026

This position is in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Pacific West Area, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research located in Dubois, ID. In this position, you will support animal research by assisting with animal care, sample handling, data collection, and operation of r...