ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



R. H. Williams, C. U. Pickrell, E. B. Stanley 



Throughout the year just ended, feed has been unusually plen- 

 tiful on Arizona ranges and the rainfall has been heavy and well 

 distributed. Sheep have been profitable, for lambs and wool sold 

 for highest prices in the history of this State. The lamb crop was 

 larger than normal. Many of the early lambs sold for $10 in May 

 and early June. Wool reached 90 cents a pound for the early clip, 

 but fell to as low as 50 cents a pound by June 30, 



The past year has been a very unsatisfactory one for cattle- 

 men, although the animals wintered unusually well. In March the 

 demand for range cattle weakened, and the situation gradually be- 

 came weaker, until purchasers who contracted cattle for May and 

 June delivery could not raise the money to move the stock. 



Cotton raising has continued to be a prominent factor in the 

 agriculture of irrigated districts. Many alfalfa fields have been 

 plowed for this crop, and, as a result, less alfalfa has been available 

 for livestock. Not as many cattle were fed in the irrigated districts 

 the past year as formerly, owing to the high price of feeds and 

 animals. Those who fed cattle lost money because of a decline in 

 the market during March and April. 



WORK OF THE YEAR 



During the year a Hereford bull, Carlos Donald Second, and 

 a Hereford cow were added to the herd. These animals were pur- 

 chased from W. B. Mitchell, Marfa, Texas. More animals should 

 be provided, because it is found next to impossible to teach certain 

 courses without a representative selection of animals. The Poland 

 China, Rambouillet, and Hereford breeds should be built up and 

 improved. It is further recommended that registered draft horses 

 be available for class purposes. 



During a portion of the year a specialist in the department 

 gave half his time to extension work in range livestock production. 

 The results were favorable, and it is believed, that more time should 

 be devoted to this work. Other work of an extension nature, such 

 as the judging of livestock at fairs, addressing meetings, corres- 

 pondence, and personal conferences with stockmen, has been done. 

 A number of articles have been published in periodicals during 

 the past year. 



