Photo: MSU Wool Lab, 2005

The Montana Wool Lab was established by the sheep producers of Montana to serve the sheep industry. The Montana Legislature approved funding for a building and equipment in 1945, and construction of the Wool Lab was completed in 1947.

In the early days, the lab supplied basic information for selling a wool clip based on its merits. The laboratory's primary functions include research, service and education. One of only three research wool labs in the United States, this building houses the most advance technological equipment for measuring fiber diameter. The Montana Wool Lab has been instrumental in improving Montana's wool quality and continues to education student and growers on the economical and environmental benefits of sheep.

The Montana Wool Laboratory's purpose is to support MSU Sheep Extension, research, and teaching efforts. In addition to research projects associated with objective measurement of wool are conducted. This laboratory also collaborates with many scientists throughout the west concerning wool aspects of their research activities.

Cooperative work is currently being conducted with the University of Nevada, the U.S. Sheep Station of Dubois Idaho and University of Minnesota.

The Montana Wool Lab was established for the following purposes:

1. Service
Sampling, testing and scouring wool clips and fleeces of Montana Wool Growers to ascertain yield (shrinkage), strength, fineness, length of staple, uniformity and character of wool.

2. Research
Conducting scientific and practical research for the purpose of obtaining knowledge of Montana wool industry and wool pools to increase wool income to the producer by the use of value-added and marketing strategies.

3. Education
Develop complete and accurate knowledge of Montana wools to conduct wool schools; teach within the sheep production/practicum classes at the collegiate level; offer workshops within the 4-H, FFA and local communities; and institute field service.