Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1905-06-16
GOAT RAISING
PROFITABLE BUSINESS
Brings Bigger Profits Than Sheep
Opening for Farm Goat
Ranches Here.

L. A. Marsters, who has the dis
tinction of being the largest Angora
goat raiser in Josephine county, and
whose ranch is two miles north of
Merlin, was in Grants Pass, Monday.
MIR. Marsters has 4S6 head of goats.
The increase OF his band this spring
has been 1884 kids from 172 does,
which is about the average rate of
increase each spring for his band. In
addition to Mr.. Marsters several other
farmers in the vicinity of Merlin
have goats. there being In all some
700 head of goats in that section.
Some of these goats are we'll bred, es.
pecially those of F. A. Pierce, many
of which are thoroughbreds.
Goat raising is being taken up by
the farmers Of Josephine county to
quite an extent and it bids fair to
become one of the leading industries
of the country. Goats have been
found to be more profitable than
sheep. The grass and hay required to
keep one sheep during the year will
easily feed five goats. for the sheep
will eat grass as long as blade is to
be found and then grub out the roots,
and during the winter when the grass
is short the sheep have to be fed
considerable hay. During the win.
ter the goats feed largely ON brush,
eating but little hay and in the spring
so soon as the tender buds are out
they range altogether In the hills and
mountains. Coyotes and dogs that
cause such havoc in sheep herds in
Southern Oregon, seldom raid tue
goat herds, for goats are more pug.
nacious than sheep and will fight
the coyotes and dogs. With little
training goat can be taught to give
a Knockout to coyote or dog that
will prevent him from dining ON goat
venison. Sheep when attacked scatter
and become easy prey to the coyotes,
while goats when endangered band
together with the best fighters ON the
outer circle and with war front
presented that effectually repels the
onslaught Of the coyotes. Goats are
also better TO return to their corral, or
sleeping place for the night than are
sheep. Goats, if kept ON their
natural range in the hills and mount
aims, are seldom diseased.
As to the relative value of the meat
and wool from sheep and the meat
and mohair from goats. the selling
price is to the advantage OF the sh heep,
but the cost price is in favor of the
goats. AT the present price of wool,
mohair and meat goats will yield a
larger per cent profit to the farmer
than will sheep. The average clip o
mohair per goat is about five pounds,
and the price this spring was from
30 to 81 cents per pound. Mr. Mar.
sters realized 303l cents per pound
for his mohair, thus each goat would
produce about 81. 60'worth of mohair.
The average clip of sheep is about
seven pounds and the price this year
was % cents per pound, thus giving
the value of wool from a sheer at
sl.75. The cost of feed for the goats
is practically nothing for brush and
sprouts are plentiful in Southern
Oregon, while sheep feed almost ex-
clusively on grass and that is expensive
in this semi-arid region. Goat veni.
son does not bring the price that NUT.
ton fetches, and there is little sale
for it on this Coast other than as it
can be sold as mutton. The flesh
of the goat is as tender and healthful
as that Of the sheep and when
Amerians learn to eat it, goat venison
will sell here as we'll as it does in
Europe, where il is as much in de.
mand as nation. Already the can.
ming of goat meat is extensively
carried on, and thousands are sold
each year in Kansas Cityit and the
other big packing centers.
There are locations for many goat
ranches In Rogue River Valley, where
in small vallies there is water aud
sufficient tillable land for garden
purposes for the rancher's use. and to
grow the little hay that is required
during the cold spells OF winter for
the goats While back OF these val.
leys lie thousands Of acres Of hill
and mountain land, rock and brush
and good only for goat pasture. This
land is either government, railroad
or speculator and will be open for
pasturage for years to come at no
cost to the goat raiser