SHEEP-DIPPING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 8

SHEEP-DIPPING.

Tho great benefit of dipping sheep thoroughly when about the job can perhaps be more readily appreciated at the present time, when results are coming to hand in relatively bigger cheques for wool than ruled when the wool was bundled up tick-stained and dirty. The writer has this season seen displayed wool which was off sheep dipped in the spring, as well as being dipped in the autumn of last year — that" is, the sheep were twice dipped, and the wool realised from Id to 3d per lb more than the wool off the same sheep the previous season. The increased value was practically due to the job being thoroughly well done, followed by effective classification, and applies in particular to the hogget wool. If all sheep in the Dominion .were dipped twice within the wool seasons the ticks on sheep would very likely be eliminated as a pest. One dipping will fail to kill both sheep tick and eggs, and it is a ridiculous practice to increase the strength of the dip over and above what the manufacturer advises with the idea of "outing" the eggs, as there is the great risk of harming the wool and, with a poisonous dip, possibly killing the sheep. The dipping properly done assures the sheep bodily comfort, which, with the stimulating effect on the skin, provides the' best sort of conditions for growing sound and healthy fibres so much appreciated by the buyers. The dipping should be done some weeks before the rams are put to the ewes. The ewes and lambs may be dipped together with perhaps but little risk to the lamb when a poisonous clip is used, although this, risk is, afler all, not so very great_ if ordinary care is evinced. The risk arises from joining up the ewes and lambs too .soon; but the non-poisonous dip is effective enough for lambs, and risk is then practically nil. If lambs are dipped when very young there is no doubt a slight risk of too early weaning, so that it is as well to isaiC till the lambs are old enough to fend for themselves, if necessary, on feed. How often one sees undipped lambs put on to good, succulent feed to fatten, and spend the greater part" of th'e time tormented by pests, rubbing and scratching, and spoiling feed enough to put them in the works. Dipping should be over and done with early in the day, and sheep should not oh any account be heated, through fast driving to the yards, and it is worth considering whether they should not be always-rested ere making a start. Dipping, may not grow wool on bare places, but it goes a long way towards doing so by. promoting a healthy skm and freeing the animal from a lot of irritating vermin. The result is to tend towards a healthy growth of wool of a character practically impossible under conditions pertaining to sheep undippe4. The fattening qualities of lambs and sheep intended to be turned off fat are enlivened, and there is a greater and quicker increase of the lamb or mutton carcase, as the case may be. Depend upon it, sheep with ticks or lice cannot thrive as they should do, and these pests are probably the most costly class of live animals on the farm, and should be cleared out. Sheep-dipping repays its cost many times over in the increased price for your wool and in the quicker and greater returns for your meat: