HOGGET MORTALITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17185, 15 February 1930, Page 11

HOGGET MORTALITY

MEANS OF PREVENTION SOME IMPORTANT FACTORS The experience of the past two seasons in both the North and South Islands has demonstrated that the successful rearing of lambs after weaning —carrying them through the autumn and winter with a minimum of loss—is a subject which requires close attention by sheep farmers. It must be realised that sound management and feeding of the flock are the main principles upon which to base successful rearing.

With the weaning period again at hand an attempt should be made to meet any abnormal conditions, prevention being better than cure. Tho outstanding factors in regard to the mortality in the last two seasons were feed conditions and parasites. These factors were considerably aggravated by the ; seasonal ’ climatic conditions, jn which an increased rainfall associated witji the mild, humid weather resulted in a more or loss rank growth of pasture. The unsuitability of such feed for sheep is undoubted. . On account of their doSe-grazing habits, Short feed, with a fair proportion of fibre to assist in rumination, is the most suitable pasture for sheep of all ages. Sheep do better when grazing pastures have been eaten down by cattle. The cattle population has undoubtedly decreased of late years on many farms which in previous years carried sheep without any very serious mortality. Here is one reason for the unsuitable feed conditions in some cases. On low-lying Hats with a high carrying capacity the sheep pastures are more liable to become contaminated; the pastures become ",sheepsick" on account of tho absence of cattle. If heavy growth occurs in the autumn months and sheep are unable to control it. the feed not only becomes unsuitable for them, but also makes excellent cover for the spread and propagation of internal parasites. These unfavorable factors are thus met with by lambs at the most vulnerable period of their life. There is no doubt that when the lambs are weaned, after tho loss of the mother’s milk and while the rate of growth and the demand for nourishment are both imperative, any setback, together with a possible infestation with internal parasites, renders the animals typical cases for hygienic attention and treatment.

An important point in this connection is the fact that the early lambs and those which have the best foundation for surviving any critical stage are as a rule drafted off their mothers and killed for the meat export trade. This only emphasises the need for greater attention to the feeding of the other members of the flock and those relegated to the cull class by the fat stock buyer. The far-reaching results of the system of selling olf tho earliest and best lambs for the, fat lamb trade have been recognised by many farmers. Not only is this important in relation to the constitution of the breeding flock in later years, but other factors such as breeding capacity and wool deterioration must be considered.

Lambs should be weaned as early as possible within reason, depending on the season and the state of the pasture available after weaning. Late lambs require special supplementary feeding at time of weaning, and the encouragement of lambs to take dry nourishing feed is a practice worthy of considerable extension. A salt lick should always be provided. The use of good clover hay in racks, or a daily feed of crushed oats and/or linseed makes an excellent substitute for the loss of milk. The lambs should bo weaned on to, as clean pasture as possible, preferably that which has been grazed by cattle. With a scarcity of suitable pastures owing to a shortage of cattle, any clean paddocks which have been under cultivation ami are carrying a young grass crop may bo used for the lambs. A paddock from which a crop of hay has been saved may be used, provided the feed is not allowed to becoino rank before use. These remarks apply more particularly to the rich flats where the carrying capacity is greater than on more hilly country. The lambs should not be put on in too great numbers; over-stocking must be avoidod. On the hill country there is less difficulty'as a rule in regard to parasitic trouble. Low-lying or damp areas of any kind should be avoided for the weaned lambs.

Ou farms where it is possible to grow early rape, grass, oats, barley, or any other suitable green feed, such feed will give the lambs a good start; late lambs in particular need special treatment. Thousand-headed kale is a useful standby. With any of these supplementary green feeds care is necessary until the lambs become accustomed to the new diet, and it is always advisable to have a run-oil’ on grass. Lambs running on pasture country should be changed regularly. The weaker lambs or hoggets may be separated from the rest of the Hock and put on feed of a more invigorating nature. Young lambs may be taught to feed from troughs or racks while still sucking their mothers, so that when weaning takes place such feeding may be continued and increased. Self-feeders would prevent the* necessity for daily attention by the farmer or shepherd.

A practice which has been followed with considerable success in some districts is that of grazing the paddocks first with the older sheep, and afterwards with the lambs and the younger sheep. This practice has had' to be adopted where no clean pastures Were available upon which to wean the lambs. ft, may be hero argued that the older sheep have in this way every opportunity of contaminating the pastures with the eggs and embryos of parasites, but the counteracting factor is that the feed is rendered more suitable for the younger stock. This advantage appears to outweigh any disadvantage.

The higher country has many advantages over the rich flats in a rainy, mild autumn. The drier soil with its less luxuriant growth and also with a lesser tendency to the spread of parasites is more suitable for the younger sheep when dean pastures cannot be obtained on the flats. , On the flats, where the carrying capacity is high, the possibilities of closer subdivision with rotational grazing are considerable. Under this systepi not only would a frequent change of

pasture be provided, but the pasture could be better kept in control, and any long luxuriant, growth could be shut up and utilised for the production of ensilage and hay for winter feeding. Moreover, such areas would provide a fairly clean pasture upon which to wean lambs. The conserved herbage would be put to better advantage in providing winter fodder than by being trampled down. The factors governing the prevention of hogget mortality 'may be summarised as follows: —

1. Wean lambs early on to clean pasture, if available. 2. Pastures which have been grazed by cattle are most suitable. 3. Jf clean pastures arc not available the lambs should be taught to feed from troughs before or after weaning, weaned on to the drier padlocks, and .supplementary feeding increased after weaning. 4. In wet seasons early dosing soon after weaning is advisable, to be repeated as accessary. o. Avoid overstocking with the young animals. (3. The possibilities of closer subdivision of paddocks, rotational grazing, the shutting up of paddocks in case of heavy growth, and the utilisation of the herbage ns ensilage or hay, offer great possibilities for providing a clean area upon which to wean lambs.

7. Where arable fanning is carried out in the production of supplementary green crops a clean area should be obtainable upon which to wean lambs.

8. Late lambs require more attention than early lambs; sick lambs are the most, difficult to treat.

Careful observation for the first indications of going olf in health and condition is necessary, and one of the essentials is to train the young animals to take good dry feed while they are lit and well, so that if a flush of unsuitable autumn feed comes about the unfavorable feeding conditions can be corrected by a ration of good drv feed, which the hoggets will then take readily. If not trained to dry feed, and an attempt is made to get them on to it after sickness has manifested itself, usually they will not take it at all, with a resultant heavy mortality,—Otago Times, V