SHEEP IN AUTUMN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20186, 2 March 1940, Page 14

SHEEP IN AUTUMN

FLUSHING OF EWES AVOIDANCE OF BLOWFLY ATTENTION TO FEET In order to assist farmers in the war-time effort of increasing production, the Poverty Bay Primary Production Council has issued advice regarding the busy autumn programme of the sheepfarmer. After the weaning of the lambs and the dipping of the whole flock, the advice stales, preparations have to be made for flushing the ewes, fattening the remainder of the lambs, culling the ewes and disposing of surplus stock, turning out the rams, avoidance of and treatment for blowfly “strike,” and crutching. Farmers of this district depend almost entirely on pasture for the flushing of their ewe flock. This explains to some extent the seasonal variation in lambing percentages, the autumn seasons more favourable for green growth giving a higher lambing percentage in the following spring. Where green feed crops or pastures newly sown in the spring are available these may be utilised for flushing' the ewes. Frequently .small areas of red clover, lucerne, or temporary pasture, or even specially treated grassland paddocks may be growing suitable feed for flushing the ewes. The second growth of rape is not commonly used for flushing in the North Island, but it may occasionally be feasible to use it for this purpose. The treatment of the ewes at this period largely determines the size of the ensuing crop of lambs next spring. Autumn Dagging Before the rams are put out, a light crutching, or at least a dagging, should be given to the ewe flock. At the same time the cull two-tooths. cast-for-age ewes, and cull ewes of all ages should be separated from the main flock and disposed of as circumstances require. Wethers and lambs for fattening should be got away by the end of April so that stock numbers may be reduced to their winter quota. The rams must be put out in good condition, and, among other things, care should be taken to see that their feet are in good trim. Rams suffering badly from fool rot are of little use on hill country. Throughout the time that the rams are out, a daily j supervision should be made, with a periodical rounding up of the ewe flock and the inclusion or substitution of extra rams as deemed necessary. Hoggets should not be neglected at this time. Drenching should be carried out periodically. Attention should be paid to the feet of the whole flock throughout the autumn, some degree of foot-rot treatment being necessary on practically all farms. In some districts also, watch still has (o be kept for blowfly "strike,” and scouring or dirty hoggets should be brought in. Some time in April, the main crutehing commences, though those farmers who give a light crutching in March will not crutch again until May or June.