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Show SHEEP INDUSTRY ! OUTLOOK GOOD Los Angeles, July 27. The sheep industry appears to be in the strongest strong-est strategical position in several years, in the opinion of many leaders in the business. While it is difficult to forecast immediate and and substantial sub-stantial improvement in the markets, there are several factors which give growers reason to be more optimistic than they have been for some time. There has been an inclination during dur-ing the past two or three years to sell practically all ewe lambs, as well as wethers, because of the relatively low prices and the need for raising cash. The fact that the huge supplies sup-plies of lambs have been turned into immediate meat consumption is itself a matter uponwhich sheepmen may well congratulate themselves and their leaders. For example, lamb consumption in Southern California during the past two years 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 had never before even tasted lamb. Further, the wholesale sale of ewe lambs has undoubtedly made a drastic dras-tic impression on breeding flocks, among which the percentage of young ewes is now believed to be comparatively small. The industry is now seriously seeking some means by which the old ewes may be taken out of the picture, at least those old ewes which can hardly be depended upon to carry and raise a fair percentage of lambs. California flockmasters are seriously considering some method by which these old ewes may be diverted di-verted into charity channels. It is pointed out that they are fat and the carcasses would provide valuable food for unfortunates among those who must accept public aid in these times. Those in charge of relief funds are having this story of economical but satisfying meat food brought home to them and it is horjgd that thousands thou-sands of old ewes may be diverted into in-to relief channels. This would not only provide meat food at very low prices but at the same time, it would rid the flocks of old ewes which might help maintain surplus production. produc-tion. Market prices on old ewes hardly pay the expenses of shipping and marketing. While ewe prices at the Los Angeles Union Stock Yards have been relatively higher than any other oth-er market, yet it is realized by the trade that the market structure is not firm enough to withstand wholesale dumping. California sheepmen came through this season with the largest percentage percent-age of fat lambs in many years. In fact, there are very few feeder lambs available. The same condition is true throughout most of the western lamb producing areas, because of splendid feed conditions. Marketings of fat lambs from range areas is expected to continue in heavy volume during the summer and early fall, but students of the trade foresee a period of lighter supplies sup-plies during the winter, as fall and winter lamb feeding is expected to be the lightest in many years. It would not be surprising to see considerable con-siderable improvement in winter lamb prices, particularly if the present pre-sent swing towards improved business busi-ness and industrial conditions is maintained. n |