Lyle Woosley owns a commercial cow/calf operation with his wife, Myrt, in Sedan, Montana, where they also breed and train quarter horses. He is the sixth generation to own and operate the Woosley ranch; the seventh generation is heavily engaged, and the eighth generation is learning the ropes quickly.
The Woosley Ranch is rich in history. It was settled in 1885. With 131 years as proof, the family has weathered ups and down of all kinds to keep the ranch going. They milked dairy cows to overcome The Depression and trapped gophers to buy a team of horses in the 1860s. If you’re lucky to spend a day with Lyle, he would share even more stories with you.
Born and raised in Sedan, Lyle graduated from Wilsall High School. He was a National High School Rodeo champion steer wrestler and remained active in all aspects of rodeo, from competing to organizing, judging to coaching, timing to flagging. He worked as a cattle foreman at the CA Ranch in Logan from 1962 to 1970. He was the Castle Mountain Cattle Company foreman from 1970 to 1976. While he has worked at his family ranch for the last 40 years, he took over management in 1999. Ownership was passed on in 2013.
Lyle and Myrt have four children (Bucky, Tara, Josh and Holley) and love the company of their grandchildren. Tyler Vennes (Holley’s husband) joins Lyle daily for cow work and plays an important, regular role in getting the work done.
Yet, perhaps the most convincing reason that Lyle is deserving of this award are the words of his daughter, Holley, explaining what he taught her:
A rancher is a person who cares for livestock and is a steward of the land; a person that helps feed America and helps the neighbor kids learn to rope and ride. A rancher takes pride in a job well done, yet is willing to drop everything to help a neighbor in need. They work 365 days a year no matter what the weather is, not because it will get them rich doing it but because it is a part of their soul. A rancher inspires others with their love of the land and livestock, and bestows that love onto the next generation.
Congratulations, Lyle. You’ve more than earned this award from the Gallatin Valley Agriculture Committee! Murdoch’s thanks you for all of your hard work.
