Ya Reckon?
 | Author:
Denise Thompson, MT43News AG Correspondent
Denise Thompson |
Denise Thompson
MT43News AG Correspondent
If today was April 1st I would be telling you all about Vince Thompson’s new venture as a sheep farmer. All kidding aside, we never imagined working sheep in our new corral system, but it happened over the weekend and boy did we gain a newfound respect for Kelly Ingalls and his family of the Round Grove Ranch.
Kelly called us in a bit of a bind, needing to work a band of sheep, as he and his crew were moving the critters from their winter range in the Limestones to ranch headquarters on the east side of the lake. No, our new corral setup was not built for sheep. They were not fans of our cattle chute and alley system, so we had to improvise. The day turned out much longer than anyone had anticipated, but we got the job done.
Broadwater County is tremendously blessed to be filled with some amazing multi-generation ranches with rich and colorful histories. Round Grove Ranch, established in 1861 is certainly one of the premier establishments. Kelly shared that a fella by the name of Hamlin was the first to live on the plot of land where the ranch was later formed. This man was a refugee from the Civil War, and because he arrived before the government and the Homestead Act, he only received a Declaration of Occupancy.
Round Grove Ranch has been running sheep since the 1920’s. They raise the Rambouillet breed because of their strong flocking instinct, range benefits, and quality wool and meat. The ranch has been wintering the sheep in the Limestones since the 1930s. This area, due to lack of water, is not real conducive to cattle, but the sheep are more adept and can better utilize the snow and harvest the forage. Furthermore, sheep are known to be a natural remedy for noxious weeds and have been used successfully across federal, state and private lands to combat weeds without using dangerous herbicides. This, in turn, has allowed for native grasses to become more prevalent and range health to improve.
Lambing season is in April, so the Peruvian sheepherders, invaluable herd dogs (Border Collies, Akbash from Turkey, and the Bulgarian Kararachan), and Kelly and his family are moving bands and preparing to sheer. Even though raising sheep is labor intensive, seeing all those precious lambs frolicking around is certainly the epitome of Spring and Hope, ya reckon!
Kelly and his brother, John Ingalls are the 4th generation on the historical Round Grove Ranch. Kelly and Kay’s children, Ellie and Louis, are now back on the ranch, with aspirations of carrying on the rich legacy that makes this ranch unique. Ellie graduated from MSU with a degree in Ag Business, and her focus is helping John with the cattle, where she is perceptive and organized. Louis graduated from MSU with a degree in Farm and Ranch Management and takes his savvy intensity and work ethic to all aspects of the ranch, with a current focus being helping Kelly with the sheep.
Having both cattle and sheep certainly has its advantages in the fluctuating agriculture markets, providing the ranch with a steadier income stream. Kelly continues to improve on the quality of wool and produce more meat per animal. He and his entire family are hopeful Round Grove Ranch will remain steeped in tradition, raising quality sheep, cattle, and crops, while playing an invaluable roll in keeping the open spaces of Montana in agriculture.
For the Love of Ag, From the Heart of a Western Woman.
Denise Thompson
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Denise Thompson
Image 1 Caption: 4th generation rancher, Kelly Ingalls, hopes sheep will remain part of his family's Round Grove Ranch for generations to come.
Photo Credits: Denise Thompson
Image 2 Caption: Skilled Peruvian Sheepherders and their incredible herding dogs are key to the Round Grove Ranch sheep operation.
Photo Credits: Denise Thompson
