Yellowstone Times

Montana State University's wool and sheep expert, Brent Roeder, was recently featured in Time magazine. The article, "Farmers are Using Wool to Save Water in the Drought-Ridden West," published on December 23, explores innovative uses for wool in agriculture.

Roeder is an MSU Extension sheep specialist and a faculty member in the College of Agriculture’s Department of Animal and Range Sciences. He contributes to research focusing on utilizing wool's properties for water retention and nitrogen content. Nitrogen is crucial for fertilizers, but its natural reserves can be depleted by crop production without supplementation.

The article by Lindsey King discusses how waste wool from sheep, typically discarded due to its low processing value, can be repurposed to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and conserve water. Wool's capacity to hold up to 35% of its weight in water makes it valuable when integrated into soil as pellets or mats, thus minimizing irrigation needs.

Brent Roeder stated, “We’ve really just scratched the surface of wool’s uses.” The potential benefits of reducing synthetic inputs and using otherwise discarded wool are significant for both growers and sheep producers in Montana's challenging climate.

The article also highlights an MSU project aimed at measuring the effects of wool pellets on crop yield and water retention across large farms in Montana. This research is part of a broader effort to develop new products that enhance agricultural efficiency while raising awareness about wool's capabilities.

Further information about MSU's research on sheep and wool can be accessed at http://www.montana.edu/woollab.