SPRAY DIP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 140, 25 March 1948, Page 4

SPRAY DIP

First in Ashburton County . „ _ ' A ; NEW METHOD INTRODUCED A 'spray dip—the first of its kind in the Ashburton County—■ has recently been completed on Mr J. McQuilkin’s property at Eiffelton. *•' 1 ; ... - l The dip embodies a new method of ' dipping designed to prevent the sheep frour- harming themselves in any way while being handled. It is believed that there is only one other spray dip, besides Mr McQuilkin’s, operating in the South Island, at present* The dip consists of a concrete race approximately 15 feet long. The two concrete walls are approximately five feet high and placed five feet apart. Two pipes, with jet nozzles screwed in at' intervals, lie along the bottom of the race and spray the sheep as they walk over them. A, third pipe, with nozzles attached, runs the length of the race and sprays the sheep from above. This /pipeis driven from side to. side, ensuring that the entire width of the race is covered. • A centrifugal pump, powered by an electric motor, forces the dip from a reservoir through the pipes. The draining pen and additional fixtures are the same as in any ordinary dip. The absence of any trap-door, and unlikelihood of sheep knocking themselves about in the short race, seem to\ be the chief advantages of spray dipping. The, spray dip has been adVopated for some time by Department of. Agriculture officials throughout New Zealand.