THE SHEEP 1NDHSTBY ON THE MINIDOKA PROJECT. 2? 



so that his farm will not become overstocked on the one hand or his 

 sheep receive too little attention on the other. The proper relation- 

 ship of sheep production to other industries on the farm can be 

 developed only with practical experience, and this is best gained 

 through the patient practice of conservative methods. It is impor- 

 tant, also, that the sheep grower keep in mind his relationship to the 

 more extensive sheep producer who makes use of the range lands. 

 Possibilities of mutually profitable cooperation between these two 

 classes of producers already have been pointed out. 



COMMUNITY COOPERATION. 



During the last few years the demand for sheep and wool has been 

 so strong as to make it appear that community cooperation in the 

 various enterprises of sheep production is not necessary. Perhaps 

 this explains the absence of extensive cooperative activities in sheep 

 production on the Minidoka project. It has been noted in other 

 sections of Idaho, however, that sheep growers are cooperating in 

 both production and marketing and that the results are more satis- 

 factory than those secured by farmers on the Minidoka project. 

 There are good opportunities for community cooperation in such 

 matters as securing breeding stock, purchasing supplies, marketing 

 wool and mutton, and the general dissemination of useful information. 

 The importance of cooperation in these matters will be increasingly 

 apparent as farm sheep production in the western United States 

 increases, and it would be advantageous for communities already 

 engaged in the industry to begin early to develop cooperative relation- 

 ships. 



STABILIZING THE INDUSTRY. 



It has been pointed out repeatedly that the development of satis- 

 factory methods of management requires experience. The successful 

 establishment of farm sheep production is possible only through the 

 persistent application of the best methods of management. The 

 experience of the farmers on the Minidoka project during the last 

 five years has shown clearly the undesirability of getting into or out 

 of the sheep business suddenly because of market fluctuations. 

 The men who have remained in the business are demonstrating that 

 the industry will be permanent on most farms. On almost half the 

 farms the care, attention, and general methods of management are 

 far above the average for other sections of southern Idaho and are of 

 a character which insures success. The natural advantages of the 

 high altitude, the dry climate, the many clear days, the abundance of 

 irrigated pasture with other cheap feeds, and the short winter feeding 

 period are all favorable to the development of the industry. Good 

 care, a study of the habits of the hock, and an earnest effort to satisfy 



