30 SHEEP FEEDING 



Lambs are generally plump and fat, for in some of the 

 states they are still suckling the ewes. 



5. He has to estimate their weight, which must be based 

 on an average of the little late fellows as well as the large 

 thrifty ones. 



6. He must be able to judge of the market about a week 

 in the future, because in many instances it takes that long 

 to get Western sheep from the range to the market. 



7. He must stand all loss in shipment, which is in some 

 cases, especially with lambs, rather heavy. 



8. He runs his own risk on getting cars, and pays all 

 feed and transit bills. 



9. If his sheep happen to get caught in a storm the 

 shrinkage is very heavy. 



10. It would seem that only the experienced and very 

 extensive buyer could profitably go to the range for his 

 sheep, and then only because he finds it necessary to do 

 so in order to fill his yards. 



Buying on the market. The advantages to the feeder of 

 buying his sheep on the market are 



1. He has a large range of selection, which may extend 

 over a period of several weeks ; this is especially true if he 

 is so situated that the exact date of arrival of the sheep 

 makes little difference. Many successful feeders never go 

 to the market to buy. They describe very accurately the 

 class, grade, and age of feeders desired, stating maximum 

 price they will pay and the dates on which they will be 

 prepared to receive them. If one is assured of the respon- 

 sibility of his commission firm, this method is to be recom- 

 mended. Fortunately there are organizations at some of our 

 best yards that look after the interests of buyers and sellers 

 and protect them from dishonest and fraudulent dealers. 



