Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-10-18
Improvement Seen
in Sheep Industry
Recovery From Depression
Which Struck 1t Three
Years Ago Is Noted.

prepared by the United States Department
of Agricultural
Rapid recovery from The depression
which struck 1t three years ago is being
made by the American sheep industry
under the stimulus Of fairly good
prices, and improved credit facilities,
say reports to the Department OF Agr1-
culture. Sheepmen generally are OPP
timistic and in good financial shape,
and mutton and wool production,
though still below normal, is increaS-
ing.
Proof that the industry is getting
back on it's feet is seen in the fact that
the number of sheep in this country ac-
cording to an estimate as OF January
1, has increased by $4,000 over the
total on the corresponding date IN 1922.
It is still 243,O0O below the 1921 total
of 81 $4,000, but the rate OF increase
suggests that the losses Of the liquida-
ton period will soon be made up. Of
ficials Of the, Department OF Agrlcul-
ture do not, however, think that the
high figures of the war years will be
reached for some time. The peak OF
the war period was touched at 49,
$4,000 head in 1915.
Effect of Open Ranges.
Settlement of grazing lands for farm
ing purposes has proceeded SO rapidly
in the last few decades that it is I'M
probable the United States will ever
again be as big sheep producer as
it was in the days Of the free open
ranges. Countries of sparse popula-
ton and low-priced lands are best
suited to sheep raising, and the United
States has emerged from that category.
The number of sheep dropped from d.
100000 in 1903 to 81, 482 900 in 1913
largely owing to the diversion OF graz
ing lands to farming. There IS room
for considerable expansion of the sheep
Industry from its present position,
however, If only as natural swing
back from the extreme depletion II IN
derwent in 1920 and 1921.
The liquidation in that period was
the greatest ever known. Flocks were
reduced by approximately 12,OOO,OOO
head. Income from wool was wiped
out, returns from mutton and lamb
were greatly reduced, and hundreds OF
f1ockmasters were ruined. From so
drastic shake-up. which diminished
wool and mutton production far below
current needs, some recovery was IN
evitable. When congress placed duty
Of 21a cents a pound on fresh mutton,
A cents a pound on lamb, and 81 cents
q pound on wool Of clean content
sheepmen were encouraged to build up
their flocks again, and a foundatlon
was laid for establishment OF the IN
dustry on normal footing.
Wool and Lamb Prices Good.
Wool today has higher relative pur-
chasing power in this country than any
other commodity, and lambs are one OF
the few agricultural commodities that
are ruling substantially above the l9l2
level.
In attempting to guess what the i'm
mediate future holds in store for the
American sheep industry, it is neces-
sary to bear in mind, say officials of the
Department Of Agriculture, that the en-
terprise has a dual character. Sheep
raising involves the production of both
wool and mutton, and market condl-
tions for each must be favorable to en-
sure stability and progress. The wool
outlook seems favorable. Americans
use more wool than any other people.
Per capita consumption has risen from
about three pounds in our early his
tory to about 61a pounds. Although
heavy producer of wool, the country Is
nevertheless obliged to import two
thirds of it's supply. Home producers
are therefore assured of broad do
nestle market.
Less certainty exists in regard to the
market for mutton and lamb. Lamb
and mutton are high-priced, and are
considered as luxuries by most people.
In consequence sheep and lamb prices
show greater sensitiveness to variations
In general economic conditions than
any other important commodities, and
In recessions. as well as in advance,
have usually preceded other meat prod
ucts by substantial periods. How to
assure a stable and broadening mar
ket for mutton and lamb is therefore
one of the most difficult problems of the
sheep industry officials of the depart
ment are making studies to see what
can be done toward preventing sea-
sonal gluts and shortages, and toward
increasing the popularity of mutton
and lamb.