GOOD LAMBING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 13

GOOD LAMBING

BEST FOR YEARS DISTRICT RETURNS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED AVERAGE 82 PER CENT GISBORNE AND COAST Lambing returns in the Gisborne and East Coast districts are better than for some years, and flock-own-ers have been surprised at the very favourable results. The average number of lambs docked is more than 82 per cent over the five counties in the district, according to returns made available by the stock inspector, Mr. F. It. Bould, and as last season's figure was less than 80 per cent the farmers of the district are very pleased, more particularly as *at one period some anxiety was expressed. Official estimates of the lambing percentages, based on returns sent into the Gisborne cffice of the Department of Agriculture, show the following position, the figures for the previous two years being given for the purpose of comparison:—

Highest Since 1934 All counties show an increase over the past season, with the exception of Matakaoa. The Cook County figure is the highest since 1934, wheh the average was 8G per cent, while there has been no belter average in the IJawa County since the 85 per cent registered in 1933, although in 'both 1934 and 193 G this season’s figure was equalled. With 79.6 per cent Waiapu has given its best achievement since 19.13, when the official estimate was 8G per cent. Waikohu County usually has a better figure than 80 per cent, and this was exceeded only two years ago, when 81.4 per cent was reached.

In view of the excessively dry period during mating time, some farmers were somewhat apprehensive regarding the lambing results, more particularly as some of the rams were found by test to be sterile _at the commencement of the mating period.' The farmers expected that the lambing would be late, and in this the expectations were borne out, at least in regard to the early lambs on the flat country. Favourable Weather

The percentages have been assisted greatly by the excellent conditions prevailing almost from the start .of me lambing period. Few lambs we re born during the severe conditions in July, and the main portion of the youngsters did not start to make their appearance until the weather moderated early in August. The cleaning of the pastures of all roughage also assisted in robbing the shelter for paiasites, and the mild conditions prevailing almost all the time from the beginning of August greatly assisted the flocks, with the result that the sheep and lambs have seldom been in better order.

The fat lambs are making good progress all over the district, and particularly on the flats they are well forward, despite the late start. Hawke’s Bay Lambs

In Hawke’s Bay the lambs are not yet in prime condition for killing, although numbers are usually ready towards the end of the week following the Show. However, they are reported to be in remarkably good order. In the districts of Hawke’s Bay where the milk lambs are fattened on subterranean clover there is a likelihood of the first drafts coming forward a little later than usual this season. In the Tikokino district, the first flush growth of the clover was about a fortnight later than usual on many farms and in the Wairoa district some farmers considered that it was fully a month after the normal time, when the clover growth commenced to come away in earnest.

Good Wairarapa Figures

Thdugh the lambing season in the Wairarapa has been notable for the scarcity of twins, percentages everywhere appear to be excellent. Losses have been exceptionally low, and the lambs are of fine qualify. Black-face percentages probably will work out at about 95, with an overall lambing average of all classes at about 85 per cent. The present, season is stated by some farmers to be one of the best recorded' for some years because of the lambs being in such fine fettle. This has resulted in heavier and better quality lambs coming forward earlier than usual.

Though average percentages will probably be well below the hundred mark, some black-face breeders recorded figures up to 115 per cent.

County 1937 1938 1939 Per Per Per cent cent cent. Cook . 82.5 82.8 85.7 Waikohu .. . . 81.4 78.0 80.9 Uawa .. • ■ . 80.5 82.0 84.4 Waiapu .. . 71.7 73.0 7.9.0 Matakaoa . 83.2 74.7 70.G