Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-10-20
A RARE SHEEP OPPORTUNITY
Enormous Receipts at Market-Farn,.
ers and Sheep Feeders Can Stock
Up at Bargain Prices.
CAUSES OF THE RUN.

100000 sheep and lambs received In
three days-such, In round numbers.
Is the record-breaking run thus far
this week on the Chicago market!
This enormous over-marketing of
sheep Is the result of temporary and
peculiar causes, and offers a rare op-
portunity for farmers and sheep feed
ers to stock up at bargain prices.
This great rush of sheep to market
comes mainly from Montana and ad-
joining western range country, and
cannot last more than two or three
weeks longer IL Is no evidence of
over-production It's principal causes
are the recent drought, which so
burned out the grass that there will
be very little winter feed on the range.
and which prevented the putting up of
sufficient hay to carry any consider
able number of sheep over winter.
while last winter was a very severe
one and hay was so closely fed that
there is no old hay left over for the
purpose. The consequence Is that
sheep owners are forced to market
the bulk OF their sheep this fall, or
else lose them In the fierce storms of
winter.
The most serious cause OF the pres
ent general liquidation, however, is
the restriction of the range through
occupation and fencing by dry farm
ers, who are grain growers, and not
live stock raisers. The tremendous
rush of these settlers upon the range
within the last three years, and espe-
cially within the last twelve months
is hard for eastern people TO realize.
IL Is not alone the area actually en-
closed by these settlers. but the break.
Ing up thereby of vast regions of
grazing lands into such small sections
that they are no longer available to
stockmen for grazing their focks.
which Is one of the main reasons why
the sheep supplies of the western
range country are being more closely |
marketed this year than ever before /
In the history Of the trade.
This means an inevitable shortage |
AT market later on and next year. and |
with a constantly growing demand for
both mutton and wool, 1t would seem
that future good prices are assured
The western range country has
heretofore been the chief source of
sheep market supplies. but unless the
farmers OF the corn belt begin at once
10 raise many more sheep than they
nave ever done before, there will be
q great scarcity of both mutton and
wool before long in this country.
Moreover. there is a world shortage
Of live stock of all kinds. All Europe
IS short of sheep. and even Australia's
supply is declining with rapidity. The
same gePeral causes that exist in this
country hf< 6beratihg In other coun.
.ries also. Populations are growing
'apidly everywhere. while grazing
areas are being reduced. AS pasture
and Is turned to production OF cereals
sheep raising declines.
thousands of American farmers can
urn this situation TO their benefit
hrough Increase OF both soil fertility
ma money profit, by beginning right
low each to keep a small flock of
heep upon his farm. And by taking
advantage of the present opportunity ,
o buy healthy. thrifty. growing west.
I'm range sheep at bargain prices up. ,
N the heavily supplied Chicago mar.
ret, they can stock up at minimum {
ost, whether they want foundation !
took for breeding or the growing kind
o fatten for market.