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Talbott Sheep Company has been in our family for a little over 100 years and spans 4 generations. It is a commercial sheep outfit where our main focus is raising lambs and growing and producing beautiful, high-quality RWS & NATIVA certified wool. Talbott Sheep Co. was run by Raymond and Teresa Talbott for the last 35 years, and is now managed by their daughter, Andrée Soares. We run around 2,300 head of Rambouillet x Merino Cross sheep, both are excellent wool breeds.

In 2019, Talbott Sheep Company joined Shaniko Wool Company Farm Group. At the time, we were one of two sheep ranchers in United States, certified under the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), our group has now expanded to nine and together we are leading the sheep industry in the U.S. in fully traceable wool.

“We continue the legacy of wool and its timeless importance to humankind by working with designers, brands and exclusively U.S. supply chain partners in the use of American wool in a variety of products and markets. Our efforts support American family businesses and communities, and the U.S. textile industry.”

-Shaniko Wool Company

Our sheep spend their fall and winter in the Central Valley of California, grazing and having their lambs. January-March the unbred ewes will go out to do targeted grazing projects in vineyards for cover crop management. They graze prior to bud-break to reduce the amount of cover crop, without the need for machinery or chemical sprays. They also do some work in Almond, Pistachio & Olive orchards for the same purpose. Sheep are a great alternative.

In early spring, their wool is shorn and soon after, they head up to the “high country” in our case, Carson City, NV and later the Tahoe National Forest, for the late spring and summer. These environments are excellent for summer feed and breeding. The sheep graze their way through this country while “never grazing the same place twice.”

The passion for stewarding the land and raising these sheep runs very deep in our family. We hope that you will pay more attention to the origins of the meat you buy, and the clothing you wear.

To learn more about our wool, certifications, Carbon Initiative & more you can click here to visit the Shaniko Wool Company.