FEEDING THE RAMS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 75, 10 March 1933, Page 11

FEEDING THE RAMS

NECESSITY FOR CONDITION. OBTAINING GOOD LAMBING PERCENTAGES. Although the rams are essential for sheep breeding, some sheep farmers take very little care of their rams. The importance of maintaining vigour and condition of the rams is recognised, yet rams are often neglected in the off season. It is a surprising fact that although sheepmen in Hawke’s Bay are prepared to pay relatively high prices for good quality rams, they are prone to take very little care of these animals. The work of a ram requires a vigorous and lively sheep, yet some farmers treat these animals as if they were merely the culls of the flock, instead of tha foundation of the owner's success. A few suggestions on the care and feeding of the rams when tho mating season is finished may be of interest to Hawke’s Bay sheepmen. After the rams have been used, and are not required till the next season, some farmers run the rams into a small paddock, with a medium amount of reed in it, and, having done this, they promptly forget about the rams till shearing time, or when next season comes round. Tho result is that when they are required again, the rams are in poor condition, and are not in a very fit condition. Their vigour is impaired, and they are not able to work as efficiently as they should. With valuable rams, this is an unprofitable way. What is the use of paying twenty guineas for a good ram if he is not able to give tho best results? Good feeding of rams, and careful treatment, is just as important with these members of tho flocks, if not more so than with ewes, wethers, and lambs. A machine will not work as well when given poor quality fuel and lubricated inefficiently as it will when it is given the best fuel and the best mechanical attention. Similarly with the rains. Once the season is over, the rams should be overhauled. Any feet affected with footrot should be dressed, and if anydosing for intestinal and stomach parasites is required, it can then be done. Any necessary crutching aud dagging can also be carried out. The rams should then be put onto a good pasture, containing plenty of nutritious herbage, and allowed to build up their condition and constitutional vigour. An over-fat condition is not required, or desired, as this will have the effect of making the rams not so active when the breeding season conies round again. If good pasture is not available, the rams may be put on to some crop, which is ready, or else supplementary feeding of hay, ensilage, or root crops in the paddock may ba done. By maintaining the rams in good condition, and toning them up with some luscious grass prior to mating, the rams should be capable of giving excellent results, and good lambing percentages.