Grant County Herald

START WITH EWE LAMBS
Stock Which Is Cheaper and Has More Desirable Blood

For inexperienced sheep raisers there are several important advantages in purchasing ewe lambs instead of mature breeding ewes.

In the first place, says the United States Department of Agriculture, the ewes of breeding age that are offered for sale are mostly western ewes with a long-wool cross, while the ewe lambs coming from the West are mostly black-faced lambs, thus showing cross of some of the Down breeds, which is the kind of blood most farmers wish to have in their flocks. By buying such ewe lambs one gets the advantage of starting with the first cross of the type to be used in grading up a flock to the mutton type.

Moreover, good breeding ewes are selling high. Lower prices are unlikely, as the demand is strong and the available supply is small. With probable high prices for mutton and wool in the future the farmer who understands sheep and will properly care for them from the start has good prospects of success.

Lambs Cost Less

While breeding stock is selling high, the ewe lambs can be bought at about $5 a head less than breeding ewes. This is an important point in starting a flock, although until the lambs come to a breeding age no returns from the flock will be forthcoming except the wool clip. However, for the beginner in sheep husbandry, no better plan of obtaining experience could be adopted than in caring for a flock of ewe lambs for a year. The experience gained in wintering ewe lambs and managing the flock throughout the summer season would be invaluable.

Investment in a flock of ewe lambs will give the advantage of the first cross of blood of the Down breeds, lower price, and necessary experience. The wool clip will at least offset the first year's keep and the yearling ewes will be a benefit to weedy pastures next spring if moved frequently and not stocked so heavily as to eat the grass into the ground. Those who contemplate going into sheep raising should consult Farmers' Bulletin 840, "Farm Sheep Raising for Beginners," which will be sent free on request from the Division of Publications, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.