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Observer Livestock Edition, Tues., June 2, 1959 , Page 5
" J " I llll II
Who Is The Average
Rodeo Cowboy?
GERNESEY'S Tom Sherwood, 10, left; ani his sister, Barbara Sherwood, 12, show
their purebred Gernesey's which they'll take to the 4-H clubs exhibits at the Eastern ,
Oregon Livestock Show. ' (Observer Photo)
OREGON'S RANGE INCOME
IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE
Income from Oregon's ranges
roughly a dollar an aero for range
grass may double in the next
25 years. ,
America's vast range lands,
popularized by . television west
erns, are !7fiAi't, duo for a face
lifting, pfWts E. R. Jackman,
Oregon Stafe " College extension
range crops management special
ist. . 1
Chemicals to kill unwanted
brush, aiidltfiaX'hincs fo seed the
land are now Available. Pioneer
ranchers arc leading the way and
experiment stations, such as the
'Squaw Bultc-Harncy station near
Durns, arc providing the answers.
Jackman continued.
; For many - years the country's
ranges were pretty much as the
westerns portray them: Where,
after a lickUy-split gallop down
the mountvn and through - the
creek "thcyut 'cm off at the
gap." Where herds bawled,
flocks baaed and horses neighed.
Where livestock roamed with buf
falo and played with deer aid an
telope. - Much of Oregon's range land
has fallen into this pattern. "Wes
tern" is a misnomer for Oregon's
range-land tales, however, because
most of the slate's range is east
of the Cascades, Jackman nsfes."
'" And a lot of Oregon is range
land if you consider all unplow-
ed land as such, he says. About
92 per cent, in fact. However,
much of the west side forest is
t::o thick for livestock to roam so
really isn't thought of as range.
Oregon's'rangc livestock busi
ness got a gqpd start about the
time Oregon became a state. The
Dig problem before that was In
d ans. It wasn't until the last of
the Indian wars in 1878 that the
big open country was free from
Indian attack's. From then on,
there were big cattle drives -cast.
The railroad reached Ontario in
1883. This became one of the
west's big livestock shipping
points.
After the Union Pacific reach
ed Portland," livestock numbers
kept booming. 'Then the Colum
bia Southern b.uilt to Shaniko
and f cr many., years that little
town (seldom '-In the news now)
was the country point in Ameri
ca that originated the most wool.
The range was severely over-used
and nearly ruined.. It was op
en to all comers, so no one could
save it. It went down hill grad
ually and now. carries less stock
I ban it did 50, years ago.
Now, on brfth public and pri
vate range in Oregon, there are
about sgO.OOatHc. and 4.00.000
sheep.' -Horses; Unce there by 4e'ns
cf thousands, arc strictly a mi
nority group.
Hog Raising Ideas
Told In Booklet
Opportunities and some of the
risks of raising hogs in Oregon
are set forth in a new booklet
just published by Ocgon State
College extension service.
Pacific Coast states now raise
only one per cent of the hogs in
the U.S., creating strong demand
for pork since 10 per cent of the
nation's people live in Oregon
Washington, and California. As
a result, hog prices in the area
are among the highest in the na
tion. .
The illustrated, informative
booklet, "So You Want to Raise
Hogs," points out some of the
risks such as sharp fluctuation
n hog prices. Present large sup
plies of barley and other locally
grown grains could also change,
but the longrange outlook is good
for local hog farmers, say the ex
perts. ...
. The booklet discusses feeding
and costs, good cross breeding
programs, housing of hogs, and
marketing. Copies cf the booklet
are available on request to Ore
gon residents from local county
extension officers or the OSC
bulletin clerk, Corvallis.
There's n old saying that the
only way you can kill "a rodeo
cowboy is to cut off his head and
bury it vhesie. He can't find it.
After one afternoon in a rodeo
grandstand, you begin to believe
it.
ZIMMERMAN'S
where you. can rope in
' - real values
Extends Best Wishes
TO THE 5 1ST EASTERN OREGON
LIVESTOCK SHOW, JUNE 4-5-6
Edgy""Termsj Grand Savings 1 1 Northern Stamps
In this age of numbers a great
many people end up as statistics.
It's possible to delve into the lives
ol the average Banker, the average
Bootblack, the average Jockey,
Ball Player, the average Man.
Through its public relations THE
RODEO COWBOYS' ASSOCIATION
is many times culled upon to fur
nish figures on the "average" pro-
lessional rodeo cows. THERE CAN
BE NO SUCH PERSON. The pro-1
fcssional rodeo contestant can be
tied to no figures. Each is an in
dividual and remains so under all
circumstances.
First off there are the men who
are good enough to make a satis
factory living by straight contest
ing one a year around basis. Their
expenses are heavy and varied; so
varied that even as a group there
can be no average. One man may
not travel too far to make his ro
deos, and work events that call for
no horses and little equipment.
His gross winning may be half
that of the man who travels far,
hauls dogging or roping horses, and
needs much equipment, but his net
may be higher.
Then there are those who have
their own ranches, feed stores, cat
tle yards, or other businesses, and
who contest only part of the year.
If forced to it, they could probably
make a living by contesting year
around.
Probably in the largest category
arc those who make a living solely
from professionl rodeo, but not
entirely from contesting. They may
be the old-timers, long in rodeo,
who never quite had that "some
thing" that would put them at the
top. They may be the compara
tive newcomer who may, through
experience, natural ability, and
luck someway reach the top. These
men contest at every opportunity
but on the side they work for Stock
Contractors, Rodeo Producers, Ro
deo Committees in various jobs at
various' rodeos. The money from
either the work or winning in the
contest along would not be enough,
but combined it totals enough over
the year.
On Uic fringe is another group.
The young hopefuls. They haven't
yet what it takes to win consistent
ly, and are not well enough ac
quainted to get rodeo jobs. By
teaming up for travel expenses
Borrowing, Splitting winnings,
HOPING. This way they can last
for years, winning back barely
more than their entrance fees as a
ride, getting lucky fora big win on
occasion, and waiting for the skills
to develop, the experience and the
breaks to put them in the winners
circle.
One of the features that makes
rodeo a highly competitive sport
is thatt here is not enough prize
money, even with entry fees added,
to go around. There never will be.
And tluil's the way it should be.
Each rodeo puts up what prize
money it feels it can afford. Some
times the Board of Directors of the
Rodeo Cowboy Association asks for
more prize money based on the
success of the rodeo. Sometimes
because of rainouts, poor attend
ance, or other reasons, they ullow
a reduction. J he Association strives
for an equitable amount of prize
money for each rodeo, based on the
individual rodeo, and not compari
son to others. There will never
come a time, and the Association
does not seek it, when every con
testant could complete year around.
and expect to make a living at it.
To stay in professional rodeo as a
contestant, the individual must win.
and for each winner there must
be several losers.
RECORDS
' "Jr .'1 '
You In Union!
ENTRY FEE The money paid
by a contestant to the rodeo
secretary before he can enter an
event or rodeo. The size of the
fee varies with the amount of the
rodeo purse, ranging from $10 at
the smallest ro'dcos to a maximum
of $100. Contestants must pay a
separate entry fee for every event
they compete in.
Continued From Page 1
for the first time at the horse
races.
During the war years, 1942, 43,
44 and 45 the show was discon
tinued, although 4-H and FFA
youths held exhibits.
When the shows resumed in 1946
G. I. Hess, present president,
headed the shorn M. F. Conlcy
was vice president, Tony Smith,
secretary and L. H. Bramwcll,
treasurer. Adelaide Huffman was
the first post-war queen, he '46
show drew the largest crowd up
to that time due to the fact service
men had returned and money was
"loose." .
Thirteen counties were repre
sented in the 4-H and FFA ex
hibits in 1948 with 500 head of
stock on display. A new grand
stand was constructed and extra
stalls built. Norma Curtcman was
queen of the show.
In 1949 Carolyn Kilcnbeck reign
ed as queen and Kay Dawn Edval
son in 1950. Harlcy Tucker's rodeo
was hired for the '50 show. - -
In 1951 the management of the
association took over the conces
sions which were run by the. people
of Union. Vern White was clectrd
treasurer. Queen was Darlenc
Beverage. . ' .
In 1953 John Beck was appoint
cd chairman for the square dance
jamboree. Over 100 couples took
part in the dance. Donna Rae
Ellsworth was named queen.
The queen and her court for
1954 was Sandra Bradley, Janice
Baum, Joyc? Standlcy, Barbara
Berry and Dot Ann Anson. ; Judy
Hutchinson was the , 1955 qucn
The stock show queen and court
attended the Rose Festival in
Portland that year. .. .
In 1956 Bradley was queen
her sister was queen in 1954. Queen
in 1957 was Linda Rogers. The
queen, President G. I. Hess and
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Taylor ap
peared on TV in Portland and
Spokane before the show to ad
vertise the show.
Last year was the 50th Anni
versary of the show and one of
the largest crowds in history at
tended the three-day affair. The
parade was the largest on record.
Seed - Growing is -Major' Industry.
Now And Not Jyst Aiicrf bought
Orcdon farmers can take a lot lw inter in ai
of credit' for the fact that seed i cues and i
growing today: is recognized as a amounts if
mojor industry---not just an atler-
tllOUgll, ;:r .
In the past! me secu ministry
was trciueu iikc a tunc urom
er who had to wear "hand-me-downs."
Storage methods and
equipment development for clean
ing and harvesting of grain were
adapted for use by seed growers.
But now that utile orotner is
growing up, storage methods and
new equipment are being deve
loped specifically for seed crops.
Dr. D. D. Hill, Head ol the
farm crops department at Oregon
tato College, looks for many
other advances in the seed grow
ing industry, which is worth S20!area.- lie
million to $30 million a year to crs in the
the state. -
Oregon currently grows more1-' I -
kinds of field crop seeds than anyiOi il r I wCiUOiiUil
other state in the nation. Seed is: i
grown in all parts of the state
except in the Clumbia Basin
wheat producing counties.
Oregon grows all of the rye
crass, mucn ol mo veicn anci
most if Hie fine fes
e henteiMSs, large
red. tri-l.il, alsike.
Landim),' i-riinson and stibtenati
eau clovers, nut In mention the
wheat grasses, liiim gr:i-ses, oat
grasses and many others.
The reusen Oil.uiii has taken
the lead in devi'lnpin;; the teed
industry is r.impSy because farm
ers took jidvanla:!e (,f their en
vironment, to (!o what they coi'h!
do best. Cool growing condi
tiins and dry harve.-t weatiiei
have proved ideal for pritductimi
of hi'jh quality "-'ed, aeeord n;'
lo Hill.
Hill says the rest of the conn
!ry has came to ureeoirniye the
VYe.it as a major seed-producing I
evpetls Overa ll Mr
future will I)!' called
up.. ti to iirow s.necific varieties of
seeds fur re tain' areas of the
c( -imlry. ';' "''
-4-
Wool Still Rates
High For Rugs
And Carpeting
Wool still rates high among rug
and carpeting materials although
many synthetics are underfoot to
day, reports a new bulletin avail
able from Oregon State College.
Wool is a good choice for din
ing and entcrtainng areas. It-is
resistant to grease stains and
stands up under heavy traffic,
the college specialists point out.
Home economists from Oregon.
Idaho, and Washington prepared
the bulletin, "Buying Rugs and
Carpets," as a joint project. The
bulletin lists commonly used rug
fibers with advantages and draw
backs of each.
When shopping for rugs, fam
ilies often listen to their neigh
bors' preferences, and end up
buying a rug that fits the neigh
bors but not thmselvcs, they say.
Consider the number of years
your carpet must last, amount of
traffic il will get, how it reacts
to stains, its effect on the whole
feeling of the room, and facili
ties available . for . commercial
cleaning. Then decide what you
can spend, the home economists
advise.
A formula for figuring yard
age and cost of wall to wall car
peting and room fit rugs is inelud
cd in the bulletin. Home econom
ists recommend spending a little
extra mcney and buying a rug
cushion to increase rug service.
Cushions absorb part of the weight
of heavy furniture, reduce noise
and add to rug resilience.
Oregon residents can obtain a
free copy of the bulletin tfrom
their local county extension .of
fice or from the OSC bulletin
clerk, Corvallis.
!s fncreaiing
Coin production is inercasini,
su rapidly in the Pacific North
west that in l!!fi!) Oregon. Wash
ington, and Idaho farmers may
rai'-e as much corn as has been
used each year in these stales,
believes Marion I). Thomas, Ore
ton State College extension agri
cultural economist.
This might seem quite an
about-face for Oregon, long con
sidered a corn iinporting state.
Until recently, Oregon shipped in
more than two million bushels of
corn a year, mostly from the Mid
west. The slate's total corn produc
tion last year topped the three
p: ill ion bushel mark for the first
time, nearly tiiple the amount
five years earlier. Karly planting
plans indicate a 30 per cent in
crease for 1950.
Wa'ro Happy To
Welcome You To
Tho .
Eastern Oregon
LIVESTOCK-
SHOW;--:.
mm
?.?at.T
June 4-5-6, Union
For
QUALITY FOODS
Shop
UHIQH CASH
GROCERY
UnJon, Oregon
HOW BIG IS RODEO?
j
. t -
li s The
51st ANNUAL
EASTERN
OREGON
LIVESTOCK
SHOW!
June 4-5-6
Union, Oregon
FUN FOR EVERY
' MEMBER OF THE
' . FAMILY!
GEORGE R0YES GRASS SEEDS
Wholesqla Seed Dealers
Growers -Processors of Fine Fescues . . . Fertilizers . ,
During the Rodeo year, of 1955
from January through December
there were 541 rodeo approved by
the Rodeo Cowboys Association
with total purses of $1,549,769. En
try fees for the year totaled $1,
2B0.215. for a combined total of
$2,829,984. There were 1,750 per
formances over the year, or an
average of nearly five perform
ances for every day in the year.
. Following arc comparative fig
ures ror the past four years:
1952 Rodeos in 32 states and
Canada.
Total Purse $1,489,608.
Total Entry Fees Not recorded.
1953 Rodeos in 35 stales and
Canada.
Total Purse $1,406,805.
Total Entry Fees $1,006,051.
Grand Total $2,492,856.
1954 Rodeos in 34, States, Cana
da and Washington, D. C.
Total Purse l,4a5,488.
Total Entry Fees $1,240,702.
Grand Total $2,726,190.
1955 Rodeos in 36 states and
Canada. , '
Total Purse $1,549,769.
Total Entry Fees $1,280,215.
Grand Total $2,829,984. ,
' In addition to the above figures
representing only purses and entry
fees, there are the millions involved
and invested in livestock,' chutes,
arenas, trucks, and miscellaneous
equipments. Also are the actual
costs of staging a rodeo, stock con
tracts, acts, announcers, labor list,
etc., of which the purse put lift by
the rodeo is only a small percent
age. ,
On the other side is represented
the total gate receipts for which
theer arc -no available figures at
this time, but 'which based on the
Wall Street Journal estimates of
annual rodeo attendance of over
13,000,000 will run into a high mone
tary figure. A further fring value
of rodeo as expressed in the finan
cial magazine on an article on
Cheyenne runs into fabulous
figures. From material gathered
at Cheyenne during tho Frontier
Days Rodeo, tho Wall Street Jour
nal article estimated that the $200,
000 gate receipts represented only
107o of the total amount brought
into the town by the Rodeo during
its five day run. This in varying
degrees will hold true in most of the
rodeos listed as R.C.A. approved.
DALLY STEER ROPING The
roper dallies the rope around the
saddle horn and brings the steer
to a stop, rope tight, steer facing
horse. ,
BEST WISHES . FOH A VERY
SUCCESSFUL 5 1ST ANNUAL
Eastern Oregon Livestock Show
1
YCUit LA CliAKEE
Success
to th
51st -ANNUAL '
LIVESTOCK
SHOW!
UNION, ORE.
JUNE 4-5-6
AM J
union Mug ca
Hi, Neighbor! See You
El the 51 si Annual
EASTERN , OREGON
LIVESTOCK SHOW
$1 InM
iA f l.i.VV..:. -Sk.
If V V
Jane 4-5-6
UNION, CBEG0N
Bring Your Family!
Bring Your Friends!
H. L. Yagner
;in;
Mt ...t
& Sons
IIIELER, OREGON
Phone Imbler 242
VALLEY HEADQUARTERS
for ' ''
Grass Seeds . . . Cleaning,
Processing, Warehousing and
Marketing! Weed KijlersT.'.
Fertilizers . . . Wet and Dry
STOCKMEN'S SUPPLIES & VACCINES
I !
Union, Oregon
V IMBLER, OREGON
PHONE 351