HAWKE’S BAY FLOCKS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 100, 8 April 1936, Page 10

HAWKE’S BAY FLOCKS

Very Free from Lice and Ticks Hawke’s Bay flocks have not been so free from ticks and lice for many years past as they have been this season. This position is due in a measure to the weather experienced, but largely to the sheep having been well dipped. Considerable pressure has been brought to bear by the local stock inspector who, during the last three or four years, has carried out a thorough inspection at the various sheep sales, and farmers have begun to realise that they could not make offerings through the saleyards unless dipping had been carried out. The present satisfactory position has been due to some extent to applications being disallowed for extensions of the dipping period to the end of April to enable ewes to be first depastured with the rams. Such extensions were found to be prejudicing a neighbour who dipped early, thus making his dipping of little value. Prior to the present system of inspection, very little of this work was done previously, with the result that many farmers failed to dip. The rigid inspection of late has been responsible for a considerable amount of cleaning up in many flocks. This was reflected in the recent ewe fair, when over 40,000 were offered for sale and a clean sheet was given bv the stock inspector. It may be pointed out that during the present season the moist conditier of the fleece had added to the efficiency of the dip. Farmers will appreciate the necessity of good dipping in order that their flocks should bo kept free from vermin and the sheep in a healthy condition.