The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1914-03-07
Sheep Raising Can
Be Made Profitable

The consumption Of mutton per
capita in the United States is in
creasing every year, though the
amount used is much less in proper
ton to other meat than in Europe.
There are good reasons for expecting
a continuation of good prices for nut
tom and lamb. and the demand for
wool also may be expected to in
crease more rapidly than the produc-
ton. These facts are brought out
in a recent letter from specialist
OF the department to southern far
mer who inquired regarding the pos
sibilities Of the sheep business.
The departments specialist called
attention to the fact that while farm
raised sheep have often not been
profitable this has usually been be-
cause Of lack Of proper attention and
management. Variations in price OF
wool and mutton have stood in the
way Of such general interest in sheep
as would cause them to be regarded
as highly as they should be In the
future. Ranges all over the world
are now carrying about as many
sheep as they can support under
strict range system, and an increase
in the production of sheep products
must come mainly from farms. Here
then, is the farmers opportunity to
take advantage Of the increased con-
sumption of these products.
While mutton can be produced at
low cost and there is growing de-
mand for 1t, difficulty in selling may
be experienced IN sections where the
amount Of live stock produced has
not been sufficient to make 1t worth
while for regular buyers to operate.
Slaughtering plants that can handle
carloads are within reach Of all Sec
lions and II b sufficient number OF
neighbors combine to have 100 lambs
of similar breeding, size, and condi-
ton to ship Jointly the returns are
assured. It will also be possible to
secure visits and bids from buyers
when such q number il promised.
The lamb clubs Of Tennessee. notably
the one at Goodlettsville. have prov
en- very successful in this work.
The same organization can also be
used in disposing Of the wool.
IN countries where economy in farm
management has been studied q
long time, the sheep is considered
to be necessary in utilizing vegetation
ON such waste lands as are not wet
or marshy. But the sheep can hold
its place on high priced land as
meat producer alone. Compared with
larger animals It has some important
advantages. First, the lambs mature
very rapidly, being marketable at
four months Of age or later, accord
ing to breeding and feeding. This is
an economy because larger proper
ton of the total feed goes into In
crease Of weight than in slower grow
ing animals. Second, the sheep con-
sumes a greater variety of plants
than do other animals. Many OF
such plants are detrimental to pas
lures and would otherwise require
hand labor to hold them in check.
Third, grain waste in harvesting can
be entirely recovered by sheep. These
facts prompt some farmers to claim
that the summer food Of sheep costs
nothing. because what they consume
would otherwise bring no returns.
Compared with hogs the sheep has
an advantage in the wider variety OF
materials It consumes. Being a rum
inant 1t makes its gain with a mini
mum of grain and expensive concen-
trates. This Is especially important
on some southern lands that are bet
ter adapted to the production OF for
age crops than to grain growing.
Like the hog, the sheep has Its Pc
culiar ailments which sometimes Ie-
suit in loss as well as encouragement.
Unlike the ailments Of the hog, how