Research Finds Sheep Grazing Benefits Bees in Montana

Sheep grazing helps create nesting sites for solitary bees, according to a Montana State University study.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:35am

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A study conducted by Montana State University entomologist Hayes Goosey found that sheep grazing on a ranch in Lavina, Montana has helped bee populations thrive. The grazing opens up patches of bare ground where solitary bees can dig their nests, leading to greater numbers of bees in grazed areas compared to ungrazed areas.

Why it matters

Maintaining healthy bee populations is crucial for pollinating crops and supporting overall ecosystem health. This research suggests that sustainable grazing practices can play an important role in supporting bee biodiversity, especially for solitary bee species that rely on bare ground for nesting.

The details

Goosey studied the effects of sheep and cattle grazing on the environment at Lehfeldt Land and Livestock in Lavina. He found that the grazing 'opens up the canopy of detritus' and provides the bare soil patches that solitary bees need for nesting. The research showed greater numbers of bees in areas where cattle grazing was present compared to areas that had been left ungrazed for about a decade.

  • The study was conducted by Montana State University entomologist Hayes Goosey.

The players

Hayes Goosey

An entomologist who works as the Montana State University Extension forage specialist and conducted the research on the benefits of sheep grazing for bee populations.

Ben Lehfeldt

A fifth-generation rancher whose Lavina, Montana property was the site of Goosey's research on the impacts of sheep and cattle grazing.

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What they’re saying

“Most bees are solitary, and they nest in the soil, and they need bare patches of ground to identify nest locations. And so periodic grazing then opens up that canopy of that detritus and gives native bees places to nest.”

— Hayes Goosey, Montana State University Extension forage specialist

“We found greater numbers of bees associated with areas where cattle grazing was present compared to places where a long-term idling or lack of grazing had been the dominant land management for about a decade.”

— Hayes Goosey, Montana State University Extension forage specialist

“Sheep, cattle, agriculture, the whole is essential to the whole wildlife picture. Everything works together.”

— Ben Lehfeldt, Fifth-generation rancher

What’s next

Goosey plans to continue studying the impacts of different grazing regimes on bee populations and other wildlife at the Lehfeldt ranch and other sites across Montana.

The takeaway

This research demonstrates how sustainable grazing practices can have positive impacts on bee populations and overall ecosystem health, highlighting the interconnectedness of agriculture, wildlife, and the environment.