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Show Sheep Declinel Factors Cited Herds in Utah hav decreased nearly one million sheep In the last seven years, contributing to the general decrease of 43 throughout the country, James E Hooper, executive secretary, Utah Wool Growers' Assn., said Thurs-1 day. The decrease in Utah was 36 during the seven-year period. The number of sheep in Utah probably will not Increase from the present all-time low for at least two years, he said. The rei son 1j that most of Utah's stock I sheep are old, and the natural j death loss probably will equal the i production of ewe lambs. j Commenting on a United States department of agriculture report released Wednesday. Mr. Hooper said the same factora listed in the report as causing the nstional decline also are responsible for the decrease in Utah. These are: 1. A shortage of herders, many of whom left their Jobs during the war to take positions in industry. 2- The increase in meat prices, which made It more profitable for sheep raiser to sell their animals for meat than to hold them for wool production. 3. Greater profits In beef production, pro-duction, which caused many sheep raisers to turn to cattle raising. CurrenUy-jniy 1,381 000 ah p are being herded in Utah, compared com-pared with 2,137,000 in 1842, Mr. Heopee said. The first Increase sine 1942 In the number of Utah sheep herders seeking employment has occurred In the past two months, the wool growers executive noted. : However, this may be the reault of fewer sheep being raised and more labor becoming available, he aaid. |