The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-06-20
WOOLuES IN STATE
now ARE $4,000 OR
1@P.C.INCREASE
When Campaign Began in 1924
Total Was 245,000 Says
N. P. Development Agent
FLocKs PURCHASE MORE
Buvinr Power of Mutton and
Wool on Ascent Since 1867;
Eastern Bands Decrease

st. Paul. June 20.-A million sheep
in North Dakota by 1882 Is the goal
set, according to A. j. Dexter. agri-
cultural development agent OF the
Northern Pacific railway.
THIS year there are So. 900 sheep
in that state. which is an increase OF
more than 1877 per cent in the last
six years IS q result OF a sheep cam
paign instituted by the agricultural
departments OF the railroads. the
Agricultural Credit corporation OF
Minneapolis. and the agricultural
college. That campaign. MI. Dexter
said. began in 1924. when there were
on North Dakota farms 245 900 sheep.
During this campaign. breeding ewes
we're shipped In, mostly from Mon
tana and Idaho. In 1924. the total
number Of sheep on farms in the
United States was 1886. 000. while IN
1923 the total was 44.545. 900.
The number Of sheep per capita
In the United States today IS much
less than at any time In the history
OF the country" MI. Dexter said.
though 1t should be said that the
production Of pounds Of lamb and
wool per eve has been increased by
better breeding. feed. and care"
Sheep Decline In East
In emphasizing the economic de-
STABILITY Of the expansion Of the
sheep industry In North Dakota. Mr.
Dexter produced figures showing that
the number Of sheep in the east has
declined: that the corr belt sheep
barely held their own: that there has
been virtually no increase in the
states Of the upper Mississippi val
ley: that South Dakota and Wiscon-
sin showed decreases, with North Da-
kota more than making up for the
decreases. The northwest states
showed some increases. but this is
unlikely to continue to any great
extent because the available range
lands and forest reserves are almost
crowded to capacity today. The
figures showed also that there has
been an increase in sheep numbers
In the southwest. confined almost
wholly to Texas and California. Mr..
Dexter said that he had information
that many Of the cattle men of those
two states, who during the years Of
low cattle prices went into the sheep
business, already are changing back
to the cattle business. The statistics
also disclosed that sheep figures for
the world show q decline. MI. Dex-
ter minimized the possibility Of a
decline in sheep prices in the near
future. Mutton consumption. parti-
cularly lamb. has increased and he
fAPANACt NANttrvAA {yN~Ao~4
State In Favorable Condition
Since 1867. the purchasing power
OF sheep has had IN upward trend
and IS still ascending" Mr.. Dexter
said. Il believe q commodity show
Ing that tendency is a good one to
urge farmers to include in their
operations, providiSg they will 60
Into 1t and stay with 1t regardless
OF temporary ups and downs in the
price which they may obtain for their
WOOL and mutton. We consume
roughly twice the amount of wool
produced in this country.
Our sheep placements In North
Dakota have been ewes one year Of
age. Consequently the thousands of
head Of sheep added to North Da-
kota farms will not have to be
sacrificed on account Of old age. re.
CARELESS OF . temporary price decline,
During this period Of advancing
prices. had we not supplied good
young sheep at cost prices. there is
little question but that the same
thing would have happened in North
Dakota a. has taken place in some
other states. I firmly believe that
there Is not q state in the union in
. more favorable position in regard
to average age Of its sheep than
North Dakota. nor in as good condi-
ton to Withstand any possible decline
IN sheep prices II 1t should come"
NJ. Dexter attributed the present
wholesome condition Of the sheep in.
dustry In North Dakota after the
ftve-year campaign to the credit cor.
poretton and the railroads. With thu
cooperation Of county agents, loca]
business men. and particularly the
3eo0S& ~H'