In the November 17, 1916, Arizona Republic, an article appeared that stated that the sheep industry in the state at that time was a ten-million-dollar industry. It further stated that the industry was well represented at the fair that year. New sheep barns had been built the author of the article stated and at their entrance, a sign read “Arizona’s $10,000,000 industry”. Judging and prize money was complementing the value of the industry. A sheep specialist had been hired from out of state to judge the sheep for the first time. While not germane to the topic, Prof. J. M. Jones came from College Station, Texas, home to Texas A&M University, my alumna school.
Two sheep companies were big winners – Grand Canyon Sheep Company and Sanford Sheep Company.
Prizes included:
- A “mammoth silver cup” for the best pen of ten Ramboillet rams – won by Grand Canyon Sheep Company. Ramboillets were the most common sheep in Arizona because of their fine wool. Grand Canyon won both 1st and 2nd. place. The silver cup was valued at $50. 3rd place for best pen of ten Ramboillets went to J. F. Daggs.
- Silver cup award for best pen of ten Hampshires went to Sanford Sheep Company.
- Best registered Rambouillet ram won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and belonged to J. F. Daggs from Williams.
- Registered Shrophire won 1st place and belonged to University of Arizona.
- Champion registered Rambouillet went to J. F. Daggs.
- Range bred Rambouillets won 1st and 2nd – Grand Canyon Sheep Co.
- Yearling ram 1st and 2nd – Grand Canyon Sheep Co.; J. F. Daggs won 3rd place
- Yearling ewes all awards went to Grand Canyon Sheep Co as did the categories of ewe lamb, champion ram and ewe.
- Hampshire ram – Sanford Sheep Co. and Hampshire ewe and flock.
- Champion Hampshire ram and ewe – Sanford Sheep Co.
- Persian sheep ram and ewe – James Bemis, Phoenix.
- Tunis ewe – James Bemis, Phoenix.
- Lincoln flock – J. M. Horne, Mesa.
- A pen of four lambs best adapted to the Valley conditions was awarded to James Bemis for his Persian cross bred.
Men or sheep outfits who showed sheep included the Daggs (Flagstaff), Sanford Sheep Co. (Seligman), James Bemis showing Persians and Tunis crossbreeds. Sanford showed black faced sheep.
The article stated that the judge, Prof. Jones, was well acquainted with a range of sheep and gave valuable information to the sheep men.
An interesting fact stated at the beginning of the article, was that the sheep population in the state was increasing yearly and was nearly 2 million head. I would like to be able to verify the 2 million number as I don’t think we ever reached more than 1.5 million.
Oh, how I would love to find any of the silver cups won for the Rambouillet or Hampshires mentioned in this article. It would be interesting to know what years were they used as prizes, too Does anyone have one in their attic? Or is there one in a back room of a museum?
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