Amazing Sheep Returns

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 232, 2 October 1935, Page 12

Amazing Sheep Returns

Mr. Herman Seifert of Opiki, a well known member of the Farmers’ Union (Amalgamated) is at present on a visit to Australia. Iu a letter from Melbourne, he gives an account of a visit ho paid to an experimental farm, conducted by tho Victorian Agricultural Department. He was surprised to find that there are farms in Victoria producing up to 400 lbs. of butter-fat per aero. Even greater was his surprise, on being given definite figures showing the amazing results that can be achieved from truly intensive sheep farming. The figures given below arc authentic results.

Sheep on a 24-acre Experimental Plot.

'These plus 8 lambs per aero for 160 days. - The results arc the more remarkable, as during tho years 103.1 and 1032 tho wethers then carried suffered from pizzlc-rot and black disease and tho ewes from sulero-toxaemia. These troubles considerably reduced the liveweight gains and probably the wool yields. They claim that very good fleeces of clean, good quality cross-bred wool were produced. The fleece weights were: 1930, Sllbs.; 1931, Mbs., 193-, 10j lbs.; 1933, 10.)lbs. Tho olbs came from 2th Ewes in 3931. Even better results were obtained from still smaller plots; 9201bs of liveweight gain and 127.1 lbs. of wool were obtained per acre. The record woo: ■Tin was 144.9 lbs. per acre in 1932, from both large and small plots.

Comment. . No mention was made as to how these results were .obtained. Presura ably tho land is of high natural fertility, has a good rainfall, is laid down in the best of pasture and is rotationally grazed. One also imagines that these pastures are heavily and frequently topdresssed. A point that strikes “Observer” is the mention of diseases. Toxaemia in ewes would be an ever-present liability, one wbuld think, they would get no exercise in grazing such rich pastures and the feed would probably have an over-high protein content. The troubles with the wethers may partly have a similar origin. Even despite these afflictions, truly extraordinary arc tho returns. To average over four years, 12 sheep per acre, clipping an average ol Jibs, of wool, is a wonderful feat.

Year. Sheep per Acre. Live-weight Increase. IVool Yield per Acre. 1930 10.S • 060 Averaged .1931 13.1 721 113 lbs. 1932 13.1 -136 per 1933 11.8* S79 Annum.