THE SHEEP INDUSTRY ON THE MINIDOKA PROJECT. 



9 



black-faced breed as a first cross on the range ewes for the production 

 of choice early-maturing mutton lambs. The Hampshire flock 

 started at this time was selected and owned by an experienced 

 sheepman, who was an expert judge of sheep; consequently, the flock 

 ranked high as to both type and breeding. As most of the Hamp- 

 shire flocks at present on the project have descended from this 

 foundation stock, the Hampshires as a whole, both grade and pure 

 bred, are of uniformly good quality. In 1912 several farm flocks 

 of pure-bred and high-grade Lincolns and Cotswolds were established 

 for the purpose of raising rams to sell to the range sheepmen. The 

 farmers who started properly and gave their flocks good care and 

 attention and have become well informed regarding sheep hus- 

 bandry have been very successful. Their example is being followed 

 by other enterprising farmers. 



So far, the Rambouillet breed has not been popular among the 

 farmers. The irrigation farmer quite properly has had in view mutton 

 production as a first consideration. Consequently, mutton breeds — 

 Lincolns, Cotswolds, Hampshires, and Shropshires — are the most 

 popular at present. There is an excellent opportunity, however, 

 for the establishment of pure-bred Rambouillet flocks, chiefly for 

 the production of rams for use in range bands. 



The 21,029 sheep on the project at the close of 1916 are classified 

 in Table II, which shows the number of both grades and pure breds 

 of each of the breeds represented on the project. 



Table II. — Breeds of sheep on the Minidoka Reclamation Project in 1916. 





Number of— 





Breed. 



Pure 

 breds. 



Grades. 



Unclass- 

 ified. 



Total. 





246 







209 



300 



40 







820 

 106 

 344 

 3,353 

 .444 

 250 





1,066 







106 







553 







3, 653 







484 







250 





14,917 



14,917 









Total 



795 



5,317 



14,917 



21,029 







Of the crossbred or range type of sheep kept, there are some flocks 

 that are being graded up. Others are bred so as to maintain the cross- 

 bred type, as it is popularly supposed that the ewes of this mixture are 

 hardier and are better mothers than those of straight breeding. 

 Other arguments advanced in favor of crossbreds are that the ewes 

 of this type will yield more wool than the Down breeds and that if 

 a good buck is used good mutton lambs will be produced. There 

 is some justification for these arguments, but it is also true that these 

 flocks can never attain the high standard of individual excellence 

 104987°— Bull. 573—17 2 



