SHEEP ON NEW ENGLAND FARMS. 



9 



REPLACEMENT AND DEPRECIATION. 



The transactions and changes affecting the 137 flocks of sheep give 

 an idea of the depreciation, and of the replacement necessary in order 

 to maintain a flock of sheep in a normal year when little disease 

 occurs. Of all the sheep on the 137 farms at the beginning of the 

 year (Apr. 1, 1914) 10.9 per cent were sold as old sheep, 4.4 per cent 

 died, and 0.8 of 1 per cent were slaughtered, making a total of 16.1 

 per cent, nearly 1 sheep in every 6, which were either disposed of or 

 died during the year. Of the sheep in the flocks at the end of the 

 year (Mar. 31, 1915) 11.3 per cent were yearlings (lambs of the pre- 

 vious year), while 3.4 per cent were purchased, the total replace- 

 ment being slightly less than the sales and casualties and resulting 

 in a slightly decreased inventory. 



These figures, which are believed to be representative for a year in 

 which little disease occurs, show that in order to maintain a flock of 

 sheep without any decrease in number, it is necessary to replace about 

 one-sixth of the flock each year and that, except for the rams, this re- 

 placement consists largely of lambs raised on the place. A loss by 

 death of slightly less than one sheep in 20 can be normally expected, 

 while slightly more than one lamb in 20 dies after having made con- 

 siderable growth, to say nothing of the deaths occurring at and 

 shortly after birth. 



PRODUCTION AND PRICES. 



As to production in 1914, each sheep sheared an average of 6.5 

 pounds of wool, and 75 lambs were raised for every 100 sheep kept. 1 

 Eleven of the 75 lambs raised were retained in the flock to replace 

 old ewes, leaving only 64 lambs to be marketed for every 100 sheep 

 kept. In addition to the receipts from the sale of wool and lambs, 

 an average of 11 old ewes were sold for every 100 sheep kept. 



The average price received for wool was 22 cents, and lambs at 

 that time brought from 6 cents to 6£ cents per pound, live weight, 

 averaging $4.63 each for all sold. The average inventory price for 

 mature sheep at the beginning of the year. April 1, 1014. was $5.24, 

 and $5.50 at the end of the year, March 31, 1915. Discarded ewes 

 were sold at an average price of $4.10 each, while $7.04 was the aver- 

 age price paid for sheep purchased, which were mostly bucks. 



THE PROFITABLENESS OF SHEEP AS COMPARED WITH DAIRY 

 CATTLE PRIOR TO 1916. 2 



THE ANIMAL UNIT AS A BASIS OF COMPARISON. 



In order to compare the relative returns from the various kinds 

 of live stock some standard of comparision has to be adopted, and to 



1 This number probably included about 10 yearling ewes which had no iambs, and in 

 addition to the 7f> lambs raised, 4 died after bavins made considerable growth, so that 

 the lambing rate for the ewes bred was nearer 88 per cent than 75 per cent. 



- While the study is based on figures pertaining to the 1914 business year, prices of 

 sheep products did not change materially \intil 1016, so that the figures apply to the 

 year 191."> as well as 1914. 



33388°— 18— Bull. 929 2 



