Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-07
Future Maine Sheep
Industry Promising

The sheep Industry in Malne gives
promise of a more prosperous future
than ever before, as evidenced by the
Increasing demand for better breed
iu9 ewes Of merit and 4 greatly in
creased inquiry for pure bred rams.
The attention of every sheep owner
IN now called to the necessity OF
keeping the breeding eve in the very
best and most thrifty condition at
this season. Ewes which have been
kept in a short pasture during the
fall months should be provided with
n SUFFICIENT amount Of grain or roots
to put them in q more thlilty con-
dition, as next years production OF
lambs depends largely upon the con-
dition of the eve during the preeo-
ing season.
Il should also be kept In mind tnat
when the flock Is taken to the parn
or winter quarters that nothlns oue
fne early cut hay should be fed TO
them, also that roots, ensilage or
something of a succulent nature
-should be provided in sufhcient
quantity to keep the digestive organs
in the very best condition. II no
succulence is available a small por-.
tion of grain consisting either OF
ground oats or a mixture OF Wnoie
oats and bran should be Ted daily.
Fine early cut hay containing a con-
siderable percentage OF some klnus
Of weeds Is very much relisned oy
them and makes a market Tor tnat
class of hay which is not appreciated
nv the dairy cow nor will not sell on
the market.
The prospects for net profit fron
the flock never was better than at
the present time. The wool market
IN gradually growing stronger eacn
week. Lambs for the market are
selling at a favorable price which
with the increasing demand for both
insures the sheep farmer q satisfac-
tory return.
The quality as well as quantity OF
wool throughout the state has IN
creased materially during the past
few years due largely to the educa- .
tional plan that has been carried out
by. the Extension Service at Orono IN
cooperation with the farm bureau,
the Department of Agriculture, and
the Maine Sheep and Wool Growers
Association. The percentage OF
shrinkage In securing Of wool receiv-
Cd from members of the association
has been reduced from 46qo to 46%
to 40% In the medium grades, caused
by more careful feeding Of hay dur
ing the winter months, keeping the
straw and chan out of the fleece, and
removing all foreign matter and tag
looks at time Of shearing. The quail
tty Of wool has been improved by q
greater use Of pure bred sires to-
gether with q careful selection and
more thorough culling Of the ewes.
All reports indicate that breeders
Of pure bred rams are meeting with
satisfactory sales this year and that
there will be very few left to be car
ried over to next season.
Not only has there been an in
creased demand for better bred sires
In our own state but q considerable
increase In sales Of rams to be ship
ped into other states. All breeders
are urged to be more careful, II pos
sihle, in breeding and culling which
will greatly increase the demand for
good stock from without the state.
The products Of the Maine Sheep
q gsWool Growers Association are
meeting with q greatly increased de-
n9and over any previous year, which
would indicate that the marketing
problem for its members is well solv-
Cd, and that the members will re-
eeive a very satisfactory price for
their wool. There seems little doubt
that II the sheep men throughout
our state continue. to cooperate with
the management Of the association
that still greater success cannot
fail to result.
G. H. CRAWFORD, Sec.
4 Augusta, Maine.