POOR DIPPING SEASON

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 81, 17 March 1934, Page 11

POOR DIPPING SEASON

Results in Hawke’s Bay RAIN WASHES AWAY FLUID This has not been a good season for dipping lin Hawke’s Bay this year, and in consequence several sheep-farmers have had to. repeat their dipping operations within a few days of the original. dipping. This is unusual in Hawke’s Bay, but such a procedure has been" necessitated by the weather conditions that have been experienced. In an average year the climatic conditions are good in Hawke’s Bay during the summer months when dipping is carried out, and results obtained are consequently good. Not only does legislation compel flock-owners to dip their sheep, but most farmers also realise the importance of keening the fleece in good order and the necessity of keeping the flock as free as possible from ticks and lice., Animals affected with such parasites never do as well as sheep that are clean, and besides reducing the production of flesh and wool, the quality of the fleece soon deteriorates. The practice of dipping twice every year—once shortly after shearing and again in early autumn—is recommended by many successful sheep-farmers, although other farmers only dip once a year. As indicated above, conditions have necessitated two and sometimes three dippings in Hawke’s Bay this season. Several cases have occurred in the district this season of sheep being dipped and then rain has fallen and washed the fluid out of the fleece before it has had time to penetrate to the skin. In consequence only a very small degree of control has been obtained over lice and ticks, and sheep-owners have had to dip their sheep again. The representative of one well-known firm of dip manufacturers mentioned this matter to the writer recently, and pointed out the advisability of farmers dipping their flocks again where little effect has been obtained from dipping because of weather conditions. With wool and meat values improving, this advice is worthy of consideration by by Hawke’s Bay sheep-men whose flocks have not been effectively dipped. It is most important that the dipping fluid should reach the skin, as the parasites are usually situated at the base of the wool fibres, and unless the dipping is thorough the lice and ticks nrcqpnt- will not- lie nolsonpd.