SHEEP DIPPING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 12

SHEEP DIPPING.

There should be no need to emphasise the value of clean wool, in so far as it may be assured by maintaining the sheep free of such external parasites as lice and ticks. It is compulsory to dip at least once a year in New Zealand all sheep in preparations designed to destroy all external pests. The principal clauses of the Stock Act dealing with sheep dipping are as follow: Section 47. (1) Every owner of longwool or crossbred i-beep shall, during the period hereinafter mentioned in every year, dip or cause tc be dipped, all such sheep of which he is the owner. (2) The said period shall be as follows:—(a) In the North Island, between the first day of January and the thirty-first day of March; and (b) elsewhere than in the North Island, between the first day of January and thethirtieth day of April. Provided that on the application of such owner any inspector, if satisfied that owing' to want of water or other sufficient cause the dipping cannot be done within the period applicable as aforesaid to such owner, may, by writing under his hand, grant an extension of time for any period not exceeding thirty-ono days. (3) For every sheep not dipped as a*ore3aid tho owner is liable to a fine of not shillings. less than threepence, nor more than two Section 50. If any sheep affected with lice are found in any pound or any yard or yards, or any lands or other place at which sheep are offored for sale, the owner exposing the sheep so affected shall bo liable to a fine not exceeding ten pounds. Section Dl. Notwithstanding anything in the Act or any notice given thereunder, it shall not bo necessary to dip any ewe affected with lice or ticks during such time previous to or after her lambing as the inspector may appoint; and for such purpose an inspector may in respect of ewes, extend any notice to dip for such time as he thinks fit.

The sheep industry is of such importance as to warrant protecting both it and the individual farmer. No Home buyer wants tick-stained and dirty wool except at a big reduction per pound compared with clean wool. A conservative estimate of the difference in value of clean and ticky wool would be fully 3d per lb. The dipping can be done wisely or otherwise. In the first place, once the shearing is completed the dip should be cleaned out and all dirt from the draining pen removed. Carefully measure the water into the bath, and mark on a gauge-stick the level of each 100 gallons, so that when replenishing the loss of liquor taken out by the sheep already put through the correct quantity of dipping powder and water can be added to keep the bath at the proper level and strength. It is a good plan to have some kerosene tins or five-gallon drums and put a packet of powder in each drum or tin. Then pour a little water in and stir thoroughly, gradually adding water until the mixture is like soft paste. This preliminary mixing should be done a day or two before dipping, in order to permit the ingredients to blend more readily with the watet in the bath. When required for the dip, add water to each tin and stir well before putting it into the bath. When using a fluid dip, mix the dip with an equal quantity of water. Stir this thoroughly, and then add to the proper quantity of water already in the bath. Mix well and skim off all scum. It is a matter of opinion when to dip, whether off shears or from four to eight weeks a'fter shearing. It is at least essential that sheep dinning should be done with due regard to health, etc. The sheep should be varded some time before the actual dipping and given time to cool down and empty themselves. The dav should be calm and cool and the sheep allowed to drain before driving them off to their paddock. Sometimes the sheep receive a setback as the result of dipping, but it is not generally due to any fault in the dipping mixture, l)ut rather to local conditions. The age and physical condition of the sheep, the method of handling the flock to and from the dipping, the character of the water used, the method of preparing the dip, etc., all count. Youne stock soon throw off any ill-effects, while old, weak stock take time to recover. It should be borne in mind that any dip, if used too strong, will injure sheep. It is usual to dip the rams first, some considerable time before they are needed. If, after dipping, the sheep could be turned out on to an area which has not grazed sheep for a period, so much the better. The tick will live away from ils natural host five days, and in the mipal state, about three weeks, so that a second dipping would seem necessary about three or four weeks later. It is certainly little use imagining that an ordinary din will penetrate the pupa case without harm to the sheen. Tf, in an endeavour to blast the adult tick and the “egg” by increasing the strength of the dip mixture, success is achieved, it will he no satisfaction if at the cost of the sheen’s life. The dinning of ewe.s and lambs together may entail a certain amount, of risk with a poisonous dip, but it is quite feasible with a non poisonous mixture. In anv case, the danger is greatly minimised if a little time elapses before joining up the ewes and lambs. It pays to fatten lambs free of vermin, but not otherwise. Although dipping sheep will not enable wool to be grown on hare places, it will, by nroviding conditions which ensure a healthv skin, promote n healthv growth of wool. The sheen will, in fact, do its best under conditions imposed by flockowne>s.