The Livestock Industry, Sheep, Wool, Cattle 



and Stock Feeding 



OMING next to agriculture, the live stock in- 

 dustry is most important in this region. The 

 vast reaches of public domain in Northern and 

 Western Sandoval county and Western Valen- 

 cia county afford an ideal range for sheep, the 

 mild winters making shelter unnecessary, save 

 in the higher mountain regions where the herds 

 never go save for the summer pasture. Hun- 

 dreds of thousands of sheep are now grazing in 

 this region and the high prices paid for wool and the even higher prices 

 paid for lambs during the past few years have placed the industry upon 

 a very substantial basis. The public domain, however ,is now supporting 

 about all it will stand, according to grazing experts, the allotments for 

 grazing on forest reserves are full and unless he is in a position to control 

 a home ranch with abundant water rights, there is not a great deal of 

 inducement to the newcomer to embark in the industry, unless he buys 

 out some established grower. This, so long as the present large profits 

 continue, is not a common opportunity. The industry, however, is being 

 extended. The tendency is to improve the herds and reduce the number, 

 thus keeping up the weight of the fleece and the lamb while reducing the 

 burden on the range. 



While there is not much inducement for embarking in sheep growing 

 on the range, unless under the conditions outlined above, there is a very 

 favorable opening for another branch of the industry in sheep feeding 



for market. Alfalfa makes an ideal food, while the 

 SHEEP FEEDING introduction of sugar beets adds another important 



food product. Hundreds of thousands of lambs 

 are shipped out of New ]\Iexico every years to feed lots in Colorado, 

 Kansas and further east where the feeders make large profits on the 

 Kansas City and Chicago markets. Men who have studied the industry 

 assert that these lambs could be fed to weight and placed on the market 

 as economically from the Central Rio Grande valley as from the feed 

 lots further north and east. Indeed, it is asserted that lambs fed in this 

 valley would go into condition earlier, and at less cost, avoiding the double 

 shipment and having the advantage of a milder climate during the feeding- 

 season. The Colorado feeder usually has to buy his feed. The Central 

 Rio Grande feeder could easily grow his own feed. Successful experi- 

 ments have already been made in this industry and it is certain of im- 

 mediate extension. 



The same conditi()ns are true as to hogs, although comparatively few 

 are grown in this valley. Three-fourths of the hogs killed at local pack- 

 ing houses are shipped in from the East. 



