Across the state of Wyoming, sheep have shaped both the land and the livelihoods of ranch families for generations. But today, sheep ranchers say their industry is under siege—from rising labor costs and limited packing capacity to a market increasingly overwhelmed by foreign imports. 

“Our family came to Uinta County in the early 1900s,” said Uinta County sheep rancher Vance Broadbent. “We’ve got Forest Service grazing records from 1905. I’m at least fourth generation, and sheep have always been part of our ranch.” 

Doug Hamilton, who operates a fifth-generation sheep and cattle ranch with his family in the Big Horns, said the industry is unrecognizable from the one he grew up in. “When I was young, we had two bands of sheep—about 1,000 in each,” he said. “Now we’re down to one band, but we still finish all our lambs here at the ranch. It’s a full circle ranch.” 

One of the most pressing challenges facing Wyoming sheep producers is the cost of labor. Both Broadbent and Hamilton rely on the H-2A visa program to bring in experienced herders from Mexico and Peru. 

“We’ve used the H-2A system since the 1990s,” Hamilton said. “It’s not cheap, and it’s never been more complicated than it is today.” 

Broadbent agreed. “Every year the wages go up, but it’s not tied to anything in the industry,” he said. “We can’t raise our lamb prices to offset it. Some outfits are selling out because they just can’t keep up.” 

Hamilton said international imports are hitting producers hard. “Imports are up 30% this year. It’s gotten to the point that it could be considered dumping,” he said. “We’re price takers—not price makers—and that’s tough when you’ve worked all year to produce a quality product.” 

He recalled better times when lambs were bringing $2 per pound. “Now I’m being told my fat lambs are worth $1.55. It doesn’t pencil out.” 

According to Dave Salmonsen, Senior Director, Government Affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation, recent tariffs may help balance the scales—though the long-term impact remains unclear. 

“Starting April 5, all goods imports into the U.S.—excluding Canada and Mexico—are subject to a new 10% tariff,” Salmonsen said. “That includes lamb from Australia and New Zealand. The goal is to encourage trade partners to lower tariffs on U.S. exports in return.” 

However, Salmonsen cautioned that the effects won’t be immediate. “There may be a lag because of exemptions for goods already in transit,” he explained. “But eventually, that 10% tariff will apply across the board unless new deals are made.” 

Hamilton said another blow came during the pandemic when the Mountain States Lamb Cooperative—a critical piece of infrastructure for independent ranchers—was pushed out of business. 

“It was the perfect fit for our ranch,” he said. “When we lost it, we didn’t know how we’d stay in the sheep business.” 

Without local options, ranchers are now hauling lambs more than 1,000 miles to plants in San Angelo, Texas; Dixon, California; or Detroit. “I’ve lost as much as 16 cents per pound just on freight,” Hamilton said. “It’s rare we don’t lose at least one lamb on a long haul. It’s hard on the animals.” 

Hamilton also raises concerns about the wool market. “Wool is a great product, but we can’t get it from the ranch to the consumer. Overregulation is making it hard to process domestically.” 

He and his wife have tried going direct to apparel companies but hit roadblocks. “We had one buyer back out because we use sheep paint to brand our animals. It’s a federal land issue—we can’t just not brand—but they worried the dye wouldn’t scour out in processing.” 

Despite consumer enthusiasm for natural fibers, Hamilton said the supply chain remains the weak link. “Everyone says they love wool and lamb. So why can’t we sell it? There’s a choke point in the middle we need to fix.” 

Hamilton stressed that sheep contribute more than meat and fiber—they’re land managers too. 

“Sheep aren’t detrimental to the land. They’re quiet, they do their job, and they do it right,” he said. “In California, they’re used to graze noxious weeds. That’s land management. We need sheep for more than wool and meat.” 

Salmonsen said the broader trade environment is in flux, but there may be future opportunities through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and USDA export programs. 

“There’s ongoing review of USMCA and potential openings for more product movement between North American countries,” he said. “We also have USDA’s Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs. They’re designed to promote U.S. ag products abroad—including lamb and wool.” 

Salmonsen noted that some countries, like the U.K., have recently gained access to export lamb to the U.S., though the volume remains low. “Australia and New Zealand are the big players, but market growth and better transparency here at home are just as important.” 

Despite the uphill climb, Hamilton hasn’t given up. “We work 24/7 out here. We appreciate that people are finally asking questions,” he said. “But we need help. It’s hard to watch a product you believe in get undercut year after year.”