THE MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 8

THE MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP.

A .paper on the management of sheep was read by Mr Alfred Mansell at the ninth annual conference of sheep-breeders at New- ! oastle-on-Tyne, before a representative tendance of British, foreign, and colonial sheepmen. In laying the foundation of the flock the spealoer recommended that tne ; ewes should be selected , as uniform in character and quality as possible.. The first few years should be devoted to improvng the ©we flock. This was more easily achieved and far less costly than ram breeding, inasmuch as sires suitable for getting good ewes never command such high figures as those likely to beget high-class rams. Iv the selection of sires Mr Mansell argued in favour of choosing robust rams. "In no case," he said, "let the fashion lead 1 the breeder to forget that the ultimate object in breeding sheep is to produce mutton and wool at a minimum of cost." Some relied little on pedigree, others much on form and symmetry, but the power of a carefully bred sheep to stamp a flock was insisted on. The selection of sires during the first few years was not a difficult matter, but fti after years it was very troublesome. Should a direct blood cross be sought, or a slight line outcross? Mr Mansell irclined to the latter view. He counselled breeders to be in no hurry to dispose of rams in service, as sometimes lambs of little promise developed into good sheep. When- mating ewes flushing — i.e.. placing them on fresh pasture or folding oa rape, mustard, kale, etc., was considered a good practice. It usually resulted in an early and prolific crop of lambs- After service breeders recommended that the ewes should be removed to poor pasture. In practice it had been found to prevent turning, and in the case of large flocks could be carried out without trouble. Reference was made to the investigations carried out by Mr Marshall and published in the Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society on " Fertility." These confirmed the conclusion that extra feeding at about tupping timo results in a larger crop of lambs at the subsequent lambing. One correspondent stated that he put 60 owes on rape and seeds at tupping time, and- that 90 per cent, of these had either twine or triplets at the ensuing lambing, far exceeding those from the other sheep, which were treated differently. As to the date of mating, it varied considerably, Doreets going to the ram in June, whilst many of the northcountry breeds were not mated until October or November. For show purposes ewes were generally mated three weeks earlier. Mr Mansell in the case of a valuable show ram expressed the opinion that the use of a teaser was advisable. * Describing; the treatment of in-lamb ewes in early autumn, sound old pasture or second year's seeds provided all that was required, and as winter apnroached a few roots, preferably white turnips or cabbage, rr.ight be given daily, with a little hay. A full supply of roots was not recommended. Some months prior to lambing a little trough food was sound economy, as the lambs were healthier and the ewes stronger for the treatment. It was of importance that no oruehinß should laleo place at the troughs. The fold should be arranged to open to Uia south. To be perfect the inclosure should have a sparred, raised floor in sections, made of creceote wood, so 6» .

to be easily removed and cleaned. Ths jwes tvere not thus so apt to contract foottoi. Amongst the necessary precautions, in the lambing- fold were mentioned the removal of ewes aborting or straining, and" disinfection. A tub of live lime unden sover, with an empty tub and shovel, was * wise provision. The cleansings should be placed in the tub and a shovelful of lime thrown over them,. Much -of the so-oaUecl bad luck was usually traceable to the treat. - □sent the ewes received during the pregnant period, and a high rate of mortality amongst ewes And lambs was often the result of an excessive supply of turnips, or, the ewes being depastured on cold, wet soil, t>r being folded on heavy turnip lands with water up to their bellies. After dealing with the assistance given at lambing, the speaker passed on to consider ' the treat* orient of ewes'" and lambs. It was of im* portance to get the ewes and lambs out of the fold as soon as possible. In the eAse< of twins the ewes could be pur^ on a generous diet, and, so far as artificial' food was concerned, nothing beat a mixture of beans or peas in small quantities, malt dust, malt, good linseed cake, crushed oats, dried grains and bran, or, to cave trouble, a pre« pared lamb food which meets requirements. By depasturing the old turf first and follow-.' ing with the seeds an improTement waar rapidly seen, as the ewes milk better. A£ , weaning time keep was usually scarce, and! . when weaned early lambs could be put on , the best pastures and the ewes put into on© Reid. _ Aftermath clovers were some/time^ - available, and cabbage" mustard, or some ~ other green crop came tn conveniently.* The young seeds come on after harvest, r the lambs 'being removed at night -to ths - arable • lands. The experience •of breeders- " during the past decade seemed to point to * keeping the lambs from the period of wean- • ing right through the autumn on arable lands, eating a variety of green food, turnips, and young clovers, and not on old! pastures, where without doubt the larvae were pickfed up. The arrangement of % succession of food was therefore necessary; , Winter tares and rye were planted in the. autumn, followed by spring tares, early En» field cabbage planted' in or March; thu drilling of early Enfield cabbage, early sheepfold or ox cabbage at intervals during the spring and summer months, assistec} with 'white turnips, rape, kale, kohl-rabi in. suitable quantities; a large flock could be;, kept in this manner. Dealing with the drafting of the flock, Mr Mansell mentioned that a regular system of drafting at a certain age was not' . so easy as a commercial flock. The important point was to prevent' the flock from degenerating into a lot of old ewes. Should the young ewes be exceptionally good and by one or more favourite sires, it would" be politic to draft from the breeding flock more largely than usual. If the shearlingewes were not to their liking, _it -might be* well to add none to the> breeding flock and; dispose of the young ewes in their entirety, when they usually sell exceptionally well. It was "best to select the shearling ewes ipi fleece, and on no account should "the breeder be tempted to sell hie best ewes. .Dealing with show sheep, it was stated that oiie of. "the difficulties was to impress upon the' shepherd the fact that sheep grew and throve better on plenty of green food ahc|j __ good clover or sainfoin hay, wdth a.' moderate allowance of corn, than with corn adl ' lib. and a short supply of Nature's own

§ood. Various troubles in the flock were then dealt with. - . • Xn. the' ■ discussion which followed many jpofoidaL foreign, and English breeders took part. They agreed' in. eulogy of the paper, find emphasised some of die points already