UNDIPPED SHEEP

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25249, 30 July 1947, Page 8

UNDIPPED SHEEP

. Sir, —I sympathise with “Rehab.” Twelve months ago I bought ewes at one of the leading stock sales. The sheep were absolutely filthy with ticks, and I dipped them in July. From my little experience as a farmer for about 40 years, it was definitely not the time of year to dip sheep, particularly ewes. The Stock Department has given us farmers a good deal of latitude during the war years, and I regret to say quite a number of farmers have abused that privilege. Some time ago I move a remit to Federated Farmers, Ashburton, about this. I would appreciate a reply from the secretary through “The 'Press.” I would also like to see the Stock Department make more inspections at the stock sales, as there do not appear to me to be many tickets tacked on the sheep pens.—Yours, etc., R. H. MIDDLEMISS. Mitcham, July 23, 1947.

Inspections are carried out each year from January to April, said Mr H. Doyle, district superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, when this letter was referred to him. When no lice are found the pens are not ticketed. Last year only a few pens that contained lice were noticed, he added. Mr J. G. Hannah (secretary of MidCanterbury Federated Farmers) stated that in September, 1946, Mid-Canter-bury Federated Farmers wrote to the Department of Agriculture asking it to be more strict in the enforcement of the Stock Act with regard to the dipping of sheep. A reply was received stating that the department would endeavour to see that these regulations were carried out. Mr Hannah had no other comment to make.