Established in 2001, the Guard Dog Program utilizes the recommendations and donations of dedicated industry individuals to address a variety of issues. We hope you enjoy learning about these individuals, their businesses and their foresight for the U.S. sheep industry. If you would like to become a member of the Guard Dog Program, contact ASI at 303-771-3500.
Name: Lorin Moench, Jr., Thousand Peaks Ranch
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Operation: Thousand Peaks Ranch is a family operation started in 1921 by Moench?s grandparents. At that time, they had combined four different ranches into one working unit. Moench and his father, who will be 84 this summer and is still going strong, currently run the ranch. Moench?s brother and sisters are also owners of the ranch.
Thousand Peaks Ranch is mainly in Utah and is considered a migratory range operation, running approximately 10,000 ewes and 1,300 cattle. In the summer, their livestock run on approximately 45,000 acres of their private land, along with two forest permits and in the winter, they run on Bureau of Land Management ground. They shear in April, lamb in May and sell their lambs in October. In addition to the sheep and cattle, Moench also uses their land for hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, timbering and movie productions.
Why are you an ASI Guard Dog member? ?We feel the Guard Dog Program is an excellent way for us to give back to the industry that has done so much for us and has helped us stay in the sheep business. Without ASI (American Sheep Industry Association) and the Guard Dog Program, we would be history. They have gotten us through the last decade, which was one of the most difficult ever.?
How do you think the industry has benefited from the Guard Dog funds? ?The industry has benefited by giving ASI funds to meet with Congress and to design programs that improve, educate and develop the sheep industry. We are a very small industry, but these funds have helped us move forward.?
What do you think are the industry?s needs in the future? ?The future looks very good if we can make sure regulations are kept reasonable and our hands are not tied, allowing us to produce the finest lamb in the world to eat and the most beautiful wool to wear.?