The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-11-24
Ivey Johnson, Oklahoma S
"Sheep King,' Interviewed
In the Interest of Sheep
Industry Of Carter County
INVESTMENT MAY BE DOUBLED IN TWELVE
MONTHS-STILL FEEDS STEERS ON NAM
MOTH SCALE, BUT BELIEVES SHEEP
FAR MORE PROFITABLE
EveryF arm Should lave Small lock
Increase in Numbers Eradication Weeds Clearing Under
brush Returns From Sale of Wool Increase in Weight and
Fertizng Procves Greater Profits Than Real
lied From Any Other Source.

son and Pontotoc counties upon
which the grass had been killed and
weeds were growing all over crea-
ton. ! got a good sized flock OF
sheep for no other object than hay
ing them clean out tie weeds but
after they had answered this pur
pose and added 10 per cent to the
growth OF the grass, the sheep bust
ness was found to be so profitable
that ! decided to stay with it.
That was four years ago, and not
crly has he stayed with the PROPOSE
ton, but he has increased the num-
Der of his flocks until he now has
between 1000 and 5000.
Another thing:
There have been times during
the past four years when, had it not
have been for my sheep, the proba-
bllities are that | could not have
gene on was the way in which
J ohnson expressed the sure returns
from sheep-raising.
1T is a fact" he continued. The
profits from sheep on more than
one occasion have overcame my
temporary losses on cattle and sup
piled the funds necessary to the
continued conduct OF my business
Booster For Oklahoma.
As recent as the past year, which
everyone will agree was just about
the limit in the way OF drouths. a
flock OF 5000 ewes owned bv John
son, dropped eighty per cent lambs,
number Of which were recently
sold at So a head. and from a flock
OF 1000 the yield of wool averaged
eight pounds. on which the GOV
crnment fixed price of fifty-five
and one-fourth cents a pound. Talk
about returns from sheep, is not this
performance worthy Of considera-
tion?
There is no better country ior
raising small flocks OF sheep than
Oklahoma, is the conclusion OF the
Sheep King. Especially is this
true in this section OF the state
where a flock of from 80 to 50 head
may be made TO yield returns which
will equal, il not exceed, those from
any other products on l6O-acrc
farm
In this connection, Johnson be
lieveS Shropshires to be best adapt |
ed to fenced pastures as they do not |
herd well; but where large flocks
may be herded the Hamhoulette is
his choice.
They are lighter in weight" he
will tell you: "but they are the best
wool-9roducers and seem to be OF
which make them easy
to herd"
Increased Bank Deposits.
"If every farmer in the county
had flock OF sheep it would not ne
long until the bank deposits would
be increased by an appreciable per
cent is another conclusion reached |
by the man whose practical expert
ence has resulted in achievements
which make his judgment of eXcep-
tional value in the matter.
He further believes, that any
banker would be perfectly secure in
loans made for the purpose of buy
ng sheep, and that the increase in
he flock and sale of wool would
assure the payment of the loans
within twelve months.
| will add, that the industry is
not only one which should be il
lanced by bankers with lukewarm
accommodations, but is one which
should receive their enthusiastic sup
port and encouragement. The mat
er not only means good business
or the financial institutions, but in
,reased revenue to the farmers and
| boost to the general livestock pro-
luction OF the community and coun-
Y.
Greater Than On S10O Steers.
OF course. livestock production
n Carter County has heretofore
,een confined almost exclusively to
,attle and hogs. but when man
ike Johnson, whose experience in
he cattle business has covered
ears and years, says that his av-
rage profit on a single eve will
,xceed that made on the average
100 steer. the possibilities of the
heep business should surely receive
he consideration OF all those who
re interested in the individual sue
ess of the men on the farms of the
ounty, the prosperity OF the conf
nunity as whole and the general ,
,rogress of the livestock industry of
he state. ;
Such prejudice as may be found |
gainst sheep-raising should be for :