WORK IN MAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 17

WORK IN MAY

A SLACK MONTH CARE OF THE FLOCK RAMS, EWES AND HOGGETS BY SUNDOWNER 'May is probably tho slackest month of the year on the average New Zealand sheep farm. It is then that the systematic man puts in hand those repairs, improvements and alterations which always form such a solid background to the plans he invariably has for the development of his property. However, there is still seine little sheep work that will require attention at this season. There is no month of the year when the livestock can bo more completely overlooked, and before concentrating upon work of a " permanent improvement " nature, it is as well to review tho condition and requirements of the Hock. Tho longwool rams shonhl be taken out of the ewe mobs at the end of April in most North Island districts, or, in any event, not later than six weeks from tho time of first mating. It will bo found that the majority of these rams will bo " tucked-up," and riot a few will be lame. Valuable Sheep These sheep are probably the most expensive and valuable in the flock, and as such deserve- favoured treatment. Their _ unfortunate fate on many farms is to bo now turned into any old small paddock, there to survive neglgct until the owner begins to take an interest in them again at shearing time. Actually, they should bo given tho best feed available and plenty of shelter. Bruised heads should bo dressed with Stockholm tar or other preparation to heal contusionu and prevent fly attacks. Tho feet should also be gone over carefully, as a ram with a chronic footrot will remain in low condition all through the winter, and is difficult to cure in the spring in time for service.

While the breeding ewes are in hand, it is a good plan to look through them carefully for any signs of ticks or lice. If those have survived tho autumn dipping, or the ewes have become reinfected from tho camps, they will not thrive through the winter. Another dipping on a suitable day would bo advisable. There will also bo found some ewes that are lame from footrot. These should be drafted off so that they can be kept in hand for a week or two. After the affected feet have been thoroughly trimmed, they should be stood in the footrot solution (bluestone and formalin aro the two most popular ones) for at least an hour. Any ewes that have not got over their lameness a week after thorough treatment should be examined again for " pockets " of tho disease germs which have been overlooked. A Trying Season Tho winter is a very trying season for both breeding ewes and hoggets. Tho first have unborn lambs to develop and a fleece to grow, as well as their own health and condition to while the hoggets have to supply tho exacting demands of rapid growth of both frame and wool, and maintain a standard of health that will resist the attacks of internal and oxternal parasites.

Very seldom is the normal grass growth on any farm sufficient to supply all tho winter requirements of breeding owes and hoggets. Where liberal autumn topdressing has been done the farmer may perhaps be quite safe for feed, but if he has any doubts regarding the feed being ample for the winter ho should take steps now to break his hoggets into eating hay and ensilage. It is a sound practice to teach hoggets to eat ensilage at this time when they are in reasonably good condition, rather than leave the breaking-in to this highly-flavoured fodder until they are poor and listless. An Easy Method

The easiest method to teach hoggets to eat silago is to hold them in a yard for two or three days with ensilage mixed with hay exposed in a rack along one of the fences. The rack can be simply and quicklj made with some sheep netting, stapled at tho bottom to tho fence, and supported to form a V, with a No. 8 wire along the top edge, and stiffening battens at regular intervals. Once the hoggets acquire a taste, for ensilage they become very eager for it, and will soon show their companions that it is good food.

Being absolutely free of all parasitic infection, hay, ensilage and roots are exceptionally good winter food for hoggets, which, of all shoep, are most susceptible to injury from these plagues. 'Mierofore, reserve any supply of these fodders for tho hoggets, in preference to sharing them with the older sheep. The importance of minerals for both breeding ewes and hoggets during the winter season cannot be over-stressed. Necessary as they are in tho summer, phosphate, lime, iron, salt and sulphur are doubly so to the in-lamb ewe and growing hogget. Licks containing boneflour, limonite and agricultural salt (roughly in equal proportion), with a small addition of flowers of sulphur and a trace of potassium iodide should be available in every paddock. Attention to Pastures In districts which experienced a very dry spoil last summer it will be found that a considerable amount of tho good grass has been replaced by deep-rootod weeds such as dandelion, "wild parsnips," docks, plantain, and so forth. These make the pasture look green, but really provide little winter feed. To hasten the return of such lands to a good sole of grass and clover it is necessary to harrow thoroughly with an implement which enters and tears up tho surface. On this " cultivated " grassland scatter a good seeding of grasses and clovers suited to tho situation, top-dress moderately with superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia (ono part of the latter to two of the former), and there should bo a good establishment of grass by the time it is urgently required—in the late winter.

In autumn top-dressing, nitrogen, in one form or another, should always be used with superphosphate. The nitrogen encourages luxuriant leaf growth, which extracts all possible food from the air and waning sunlight, while the phosphate encourages deep roots to resist the heat and dryness of the summer, and add substance and nutritive value to the grass. To be of greatest benefit, top-dressing should be applied while active growth is taking place, hence this work, if not already done, should not be delayed.