Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-07-07
GROWING ANIMALS ON THE
 FARM
No. 7. Sheep and Goat Raisinq. By Ii. E. Dvorachek, Professor of An. hAl Husbandry, University

NO. 7. Sheep and Goat Raising.
 By Ii. E. Dvorachek, Professor of Ami.
 nal Husbandry, University
 of Arkansas
 A recent report from the Bureau or Animal Industry of the U. & De- partment of Agriculture shows that the sheep industry has been on the decline during the last few years. The prices paid for mutton lambs on the markets during the last two years would indicate that such must be the case. Fat lambs have been selling around l2 cents per pound this year. ana the demand seems to be greater thah the supply. Wool also shows an increase over prices of, say. two years ago. We also find that goats shipped from the Southwest to Kansas Ctty nave found ready sale as mutton at far prices where they reached the market in good condition. It would seem that an increase in production Of both sheep and goats might well come from the South and the South west
 The sheep is serving it's best purpose as sort of scaveEger on the farm Keeping down weeds in pastures and on the farm in general. It is not uncommon to see well established mas. lures put under cultivation here in Ar kansas for no other reason than that noxious weeds had become so well established that the more desirable grasses were crowded out. A few sheep would have saved such pasture and made mutton and wool in doing so. The goat, on the other hand, is at it's best among the brush and briars with which our Ozark hills are abundantly covered Whether one wishes to put such land under cultiva- ton or into permanent pasture, the first problem is the removal of the underbrush.
 While the sheep is generally con. sldered as a scavanger it is not best to treat it as such and make it depend upon what it can find in the way of weeds for a living.
 A few sheep will serve the triple purpose of keeping the farm clean of weeds, furnish mutton, which is one of the best sources of meat supply for summer use, and produces a fleece which at present prices should show neat alm as a clear profit The mutton value of the sheep would easily cover cost of production Fall lambs for the Christmas trade are possible in this climate and their production would add to profits
 The goat, especially the Angora. is essentially broWser, although after being used for a time on brush it has been found that they gradually take to grass and neglect sprouts. Where 1t is the desire to brush the land goats should be used instead of sheep. Goats which have not been used too long for such purposes should be se- lected as they have proven more oe- structive to the underbrush than old brushes especially if there is any grass growing on the land. One year of brushing with goats is not .utfi- cient to clear the Snd completely as new sprouts will shoot up from the root. Two and even three years are necessary to kill brush completely. As a producer of meat the goat is increas- ing in popularity. Large numbers of goats have been killed and sold for mutton in the past. The number is increasing and it is found that the quality of the meat is not inferior to mutton In fact the claim is made that it is superior to mutton, especial ly when the goats are young and fat tened on the sprouts. A game flavor is present which has lead to the use of the term "venison" to distinguish it from mutton The fleece from the Angora has always commanded a higher price per pound than wool. This mohair, as it is called, when of good quality sells at several times the price paid for wool. It is true how ever, that the weight of average feeces is less than that of wool feeces. As a producer of meat and mohair, and as a valuable help in brushing land, the Angora goat should prove a profitable animal in a large part of Arkansas.
 The greatest drawback to the sheep and goat raising seems to be the skeep.killing dog. Not that so many are actually killed, but because the fsar of losses keeps many prospective breeders from going into the business. States where the industries have pros- pered have enacted dog laws which made the owner of the dog liable. or at least made it possible to put such dogs out of the way. Such law has 8 tendency to stimulate interest m the venture as fear of losses is part ly overcome, and loss can actually be reduced.
 It is the opinion of some that dis eases common to sheep and goats would be more prevalent should the be developed because of cli!V matic conditions. The industry has got developed extensively e-ougA to L ax1, that xyah nr,,II Av u,r,,JS r>< hA