Although the sheep shearing season is behind us, we like to look back on South Dakota State University’s sheep shearing practices from the past. This photo, which was taken in May 1958, features SDSU, then South Dakota State College, alumni Darrell Spinler, Eugene Dooley and Orville Barrington. Taken on the steps of our very own South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum (which was then the livestock judging barn at SDSC), these three men showcase the amount of wool they’ve shorn from their sheep.
SDSU has a long history of sheep shearing. Today, the university has a Sheep Research and Teaching Unit. The Sheep Unit consists of 250 commercial Polypay and 125 purebred Hampshire ewes.
In the background of this photo, Wecota Hall, Wenona Hall and the Campanile are visible. Each of these buildings is still standing today, and you can visit them on SDSU’s campus.