SHEEP ON NEW ENGLAND FARMS. 



15 



suggested, all small, immature ewe lambs, as well as old ewes, and 

 with better care, that this average could be raised by at least 1 pound, 

 especially where sheep are kept in such small flocks as in New Eng- 

 land. Growers agree that sheep well fed and cared for throughout 

 the year shear more wool than do those not well cared for, and it is 

 generally realized that in order to produce a good fleece it is essential 

 to keep a sheep in good condition. They also think that sheep kept 

 in small flocks, probably because of the better care received, produce 

 more wool than when kept in larger flocks, and it is known that some 

 of the growers, even with the mutton breeds, average over 8 pounds 

 of wool per head. An increase of 1 pound of wool per head at pres- 

 ent prices means an increase of about 6G cents per sheep, or $4.62 per 

 animal unit of sheep. 



EFFECT ON PROFITS. 



A one-third increase in lamb production (from 75 to 100 lambs 

 per 100 sheep) and a 15 per cent increase in wool clipped per head 

 (from 6.5 to 7.5 pounds) means, at present prices, an increase in 

 receipts of nearly $3 per sheep, or $20.86 per animal unit. It is not 

 expected that this increased production can be attained without an 

 increase in cost, which, however, would be nowhere near in propor- 

 tion to the increase in receipts. Allowing for the increased labor 

 and feed believed to be necessary 1 increases the feed and labor cost 

 at present prices from $43.75, the estimated cost with present produc- 

 tion, to $50 per animal unit. The estimated receipts being increased 

 from $76.93 to $97.79 as a result of the increased production, leaves 

 a profit over feed and labor cost of $47.79 per animal unit of sheep 

 instead of $33.18, the profit at present production. 



In order to do the dairy industry no injustice in making this com- 

 parison, an increased production of 20 per cent, or cows producing 

 6,000 pounds of 4 per cent milk, which i" as reasonable an increase 

 as that assumed for the sheep, has been assumed. Allowing for the 

 increased feed necessary 2 with this production increases the cost 

 as estimated at present prices from $88.65 to $99.85 per animal unit. 

 The receipts being increased from $101.37 to $117.60 as a result of 

 increased production leaves a profit over feed and labor cost of 

 $17.75 per animal unit instead of $12.72, the profit at present produc- 

 tion. 



Increasing the production of the sheep and of the dairy cattle as 

 indicated, while not changing the relative profitableness of the two 

 industries, increases the profits over feed and labor cost in either case 



1 In making up this estimate of feed and labor cost necessary for the increased produc- 

 tion, allowance for the following increases per 7 sheep (animal unit) were made: Roots, 

 from 7 to 35 bushels; grain feed, from 280 to 350 pounds; labor, from 4.2 to 5 days. 



2 Allows for a slight increase in the amount of silage and increases the amount of 

 grain from 1,400 pounds to 1,800 pounds. 



