MORTALITY AMONG BIG LAMBS.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIX, Issue 3997, 22 November 1918, Page 3

MORTALITY AMONG BIG LAMBS.

Writing in the "Farmers' Union Advocate," "Agricola," the South Island contributor of that journal, says :— The Sheepowners' Union has discussed the matter of the mortality among the big lambs, and an effort is being made to get the Agricultural Department, in conjunction, with the various farmors' organisations, to. make a thorough investigation. According to some of the members the deaths among these lambs have assumed big proportions, and farmers are alarmed. It is a matter that affects the farmers most because the lambs on the higher country where there is little else but tussock are not affected. Ail sort£ of theories are advanced for the trouble. Some think that the frosty weather has had something tc do with it. Others say that they believe that the youngsters are too well fed, while yet others consider that they have not been getting the exercise that they should take. Investigations should have been made when the trouble was at its wors.t. The deaths are not so numerous now, and it may be more difficult to get cases to examine. The main portion of that work will have to be left till next season probably, but in the meantime farmers could be asked to give their experiences in connection with the deaths. They could state the circumstances under which the sheep were kept and anything that cam© undep their notice in dealing with the sheep and the lambs after the mortality had commenced. Some good might. be done by comparing notes received in this way and a good deal of general Information procured.