“MOST ERRONEOUS VIEW”

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 9

“MOST ERRONEOUS VIEW”

One of the most erroneous views held by the majority of sheepmen in South Australia today is that additional feeding of salt is essential for the well-being of their sheep, says Mr D. C. Potter, adviser in animal production, South Australian Department of Agriculture, who adds that during a tour of the northern districts he received a number of inquiries regarding the value of feeding stock salt to flocks. He said that there was much reliable evidence to show that in general the practice was unnecessary. War-time shortages of stock salt and valuable information gained in actual practice of feeding sheep had proved this.

The flocks on New South Wales Departmental farms had not received salt licks for over ten years and there had been no signs of ill-effects. Even during the late autumn months sufficient salt for the sheep could still be obtained from dwindling feed supplies. Occasionally situations may arise where the feeding out of salt may be useful, says Mr Totter. Because of the liking sheep have for salt, it had been found effective in handling flocks in difficult mustering paddocks, making otherwise unpalatable feed more attractive to sheep, and as a useful carrier for remedying deficiencies of copper and cobalt. These mineralised licks should only be used where diagnosis of a deficiency had been confirmed. such as “steely wool” or ataxia in lambs.