HANDLING OF LAMBS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 44, 1 December 1938, Page 8

HANDLING OF LAMBS.

BRUISING HARMFUL. The attention of farmers is directed to the need for the careful handling and treatment of lambs on the farm and during transit to the markets or abattoirs. Far too many lambs,- on being dressed, show unsightly bruises and injuries. The effect of such blemishes is to reduce the value of the carcases' considerably, particularly those intended for export. Slightly bruised carcases suffer in grading and a lower price per lb must he accepted, while those more seriously bruised are rejected and must be sold locally. In the latter case a reduction in value up to 6s or even more a carcase may result.'

It is therefore to the advantage of the lamb producer to eliminate the causes of this bruising as far as possible. The most common are, catching or picking up the lambs by the wool; hitting or prodding them with a stick or other hard object; when drafting or loading, allowing them to become overcrowded in a confined space, as when passing through a race in the yards or into a truck; the use of a dog without a muzzle (a slight nip will leave a tell-tale bruise). It is obvious that, by taking reasonable care, bruising can bo largely eliminated. The following rules should he observed ; Don’t pick up lambs by the wool; don’t prod or strike with a stick or other hard object; don’t overcrowd; don’t let the dog bite. Officers of the Australian Department of Agriculture intend strictly to enforce the. provision of ‘the Sheep Dipping Act in the coming season. The Act requires owners to dip their sheep in an effective dip. Enforcement of this Act is necessary because of a considerable increase in the infestation of sheep with ticks and lice, and consequent losses to woolgrowers. The Sheep Dipping Act requires that between July 1 and March 1, every owner must shear all his sheep iTnd lambs (except those to be kept as hoggets), and immediately after shearing the sheep and lambs must he properly dipped. If it is not convenient to dip direct from the hoard the Act provides that the shorn sheep must be kept in a, securely fenced paddock and dipped within GO days after shearing. Within JO days of dipping a return on the prescribed form available from the Department of Agriculture, Melbourne, must be forwarded to the chief veterinary officer.

Penalties are provided for persons who travel on public roads or highways, or expose in saleyards sheep infested with ticks or lice. Some owners and stock agents are under the impression that fat sheep forwarded for sale in fat pens need not be dipped before dispatch, hut this belief is wrong. Owners of infested sheep found in fat pens are just as liable to prosecution as those who offer their sheep in store pens.