| Show I Improvement in Sheep Industry Very Noticeable By J J. J A. A McNaughton The ah sheep p industry appears to be Inthe In Inthe Inthe the strongest position In several years yean ears In the opinion of many leaders In the business While It Is la difficult to forecast immediate and substantial Improvement in the markets mar mar- there are several factors winch give growers grower reason to be more optimistic optimistic op op- than they have been for some time There has been an inclination during during dur duro ing the past two or three years yean to sell seU practically all ewe lambs as well AS S because of the relatively low prices and the need for raising cash The fact that the huge supplies of ot lambs have been turned into immediate immedi ate consumption is Itself a matter upon upon up up- on which may well congratulate congratulate con con- themselves and their lead lead- ers For Tor example lamb consumption In Southern California during the past two years ears has been nearly double that of any previous period The fact that the retail trade has absorbed these lambs readily and consistently at any price proves the popularity which has been gained by lamb upon consumers thousands of whom hom had never before even tasted lamb Further the wholesale sale of ewe lambs has undoubtedly made a drastic drastic drastic dras dras- tic impression on breeding flocks among which the percentage of young ewes is now believed to be comparatively comparatively comparatively small The Industry is now seriously seriously ser ser- seeking some means by which the old ewes es may be taken out Olt of the picture at least those thoS old ewes which can hardly be depended upon to carry and raise a fair percentage of lambs are considering some Borne method by which these old ewes may be diverted into charity channels It Is pointed out that they are fat and the carcasses would provide valuable food for unfortunates unfortunate among amone those who must accept public aid in these times Those in char oo o o relief funds funda are having this story of economical but satisfying meat food brought home to them and It Is hoped that thousands U of old ewes may be diverted Into re relief relief reo re- lief channels This would not only provide meat food at very low 1011 prices but at the same time It would rid the the flocks of old ewes which might help maintain surplus production Market prices on old ewes hardly pay the expenses cf of If shipping and marketing While Wh ewe prices at the Los Angeles Union Stock Yards have I been bren relatively higher than any other market yet It is realized bv by the tr trade de that the mark market t structure I is not firm enough to withstand wholesale dump- dump Ing of fat lambs from range areas arens is expected to continue In heavy I volume during the summer and early fall but students of the trade foresee a period of lighter supplies during the winter as fall fan and winter lamb feeding feeding feed feed- ing Is expected to be the lightest lighter In Inmany inmany many years It would not be surprising surprising sur sur- to see considerable Improvement improvement Improve improve- I ment In winter lamb prices particularly particularly l' l If It the present swing towards improved im- im proved moved business and industrial conditions conditions condi condl S Is maintained i I |
