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About Us
Started over 100 years ago, the Wyoming Wool Growers Association has played
a vital role in the development of Wyoming. The following articles and
information help to show the enthusiasm and importance of Wyoming's wool
producers.
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Left:
Dipping Sheep—In early
Wyoming, sheep were routinely run through a “dipping vat” in order to
treat then with insecticides used to control various insect pests. This
practice was hard on both sheep and men due to the fact that many of the
chemicals used then have proven to be toxic. The men seen in the picture
carried hooks mounted on long poles which were used to both make sure
that the animals body (including their heads) were fully submersed, but
were also used to save any sheep which were pulled or pushed under by
other animals. As was said, this was a practice that was extremely hard
on both the sheep and their handlers—-thankfully modern veterinary
science has provided us with products that are extremely effective
against the insects needing controlled while at the same time safe for
the animals and their caretakers. |
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What is the Wyoming Wool Growers
Association?
This article gives basic background
information on the Wyoming Wool Growers Association and answers many common
questions.
“If the history of Wyoming and the West were to parade before us, a myriad
of images would come to mind.
The Trappers and Fur Traders personified the spirit of adventure and
exploration. Then came the Soldiers, to conquer and civilize. The gambling
Miners arrived, risking all on just a chance. The Cowboy was the romantic
image of the West. The Sodbuster brought the family. Even the Outlaw added
his notoriety.
Is it no wonder with so many “highfalutin” heroes around that the story of
the sheepman is often overlooked?
But he’s been here all along---patient and persistent. It was indeed the
sheepman who brought an economic stability to the West while these other
heroes marched in and out.
He was mostly an independent sort. But when troubled times arrived, he drew
close to his counterparts. Perhaps the most significant state group to
evolve from these shared troubles and this need to draw together, the group
which in its own way was to so deeply impact and help shape and mold Wyoming
into the state we all love and cherish today, was the Wyoming Wool Growers
Association.”
From “Sheep In Wyoming- A History of the Wyoming Wool Growers Association”
by Donna Whitson and Jessie Baker, 1978
What is the Wyoming Wool Growers Association?
The Wyoming Wool Growers Association was formed by a group of like-minded
people who, in 1905, joined forces to “combat masked raiders, fight sheep
{diseases}”, and improve lobbying efforts.
Today the WWGA is one of the foremost agricultural organizations in the
state, with respect and admiration at a national level. The Association
works with others to protect, preserve and enhance the lamb and wool
industry and the ranching community and lifestyle of Wyoming and the West.
This is done through a variety of methods and activities, from working with
legislators, governmental officials and the general public to assure that
decision makers and the public have accurate and complete information about
the industry, to working directly with producers to educate and inform them
on the latest technology or production practices which serve to enhance
their operations and increase their profitability and sustainability.
Attention is focused on many issues at many levels, including: protection
and enhancement of our resources; predator management and control,
development of new markets for lamb and wool, development and protection of
sound and reasonable federal and state land management policies; protection
and enhancement of private property rights; reform, and reasonable
application, of the Endangered Species Act; assurance of fair and equitable
international trade practices; packer concentration and predatory pricing;
and animal and public health issues.
In what areas is the WWGA involved?
The WWGA is involved in many areas in which the individual livestock
producer may not have the time or resources to be effective alone;
including:
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Education/Research Supporting new
research into areas important to the industry and then helping producers
incorporate the results on their ranches; assuring that the full and
complete story about the Wyoming livestock industry and our ranchers is told
to the general public with the goal of demonstrating the positive benefits
of the industry and its members to our nation’s economy and values.
-
Lobbying/Legislature Working with
elected officials on the national, state and local levels to assist in the
writing, lobbying and passing of legislation favorable to our industry and
our way of life. Communicating regularly with our elected and appointed
officials to help them understand the position of the WWGA and the industry,
as well as other agriculture entities.
-
Marketing/ Promotion The WWGA has quite
possibly done more to attempt to develop new marketing opportunities for
Wyoming agricultural producers than any other organization in the state.
From efforts to develop new packing and processing facilities, to the
development of new markets, to the successful development and implementation
of a producer-owned and controlled “new generation” marketing cooperative,
the WWGA has never stopped trying to improve the opportunity for our members
to improve their economic well being. Recognizing that many of the problems
and deterrents to being profitable and successful in the livestock industry
are due to factors outside the scope and control of the producers
themselves, the Association has worked tirelessly to seek and obtain
programs for producers which serve to negate the effects of natural
disasters (drought, etc.) or unfair or illogical trade actions or practices.
Additionally, the Association has been a strong proponent and advocate for
Country of Origin Labeling, enhancement and enforcement of the Packers and
Stockyards Act and implementation of producer “self help” programs (checkoffs).
Additionally, and as importantly, we constantly and continually promote the
use of lamb and wool through advertising, promotional presentations, and by
telling the Wool Growers’ story at every opportunity. Leading by example!
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Protecting and Enhancing the Environment,
Developing Wyoming’s Renewable Natural Resource Base Husbanding the
land, protecting the environment, healing the scars of time, and striving to
always put back more than what was taken; these have been the industry’s and
the Association’s goals since long before these positions became popular.
For many years the Wyoming Wool Growers Association has been an active
partner with the State of Wyoming and its citizens in caring for, enhancing
and adding value to the renewable resources of the state. These continue to
be among the most important goals and objectives of the Association and its
producer members and supporters.
“Every man owes part of his time and money to
the industry or business in which he is engaged...No man has the moral right
to withhold his support for an organization that is striving to improve
conditions within his sphere.”
President Theodore Roosevelt
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