FAT LAMB RAISING

Southland Times, Issue 22293, 7 April 1934, Page 12

FAT LAMB RAISING

CLASSING THE FLOCK. Evenness is a particularly desirable feature in the lamb-raising flock, and it is impossible to over emphasize the importance of sheep classing. An even drop of lambs cannot be expected if the'ewe flock is irregular in size, type, and conformation. Grading of the breeding flock and selection of the sires for use in mating is an annual practice on all stud properties, but it should not be confined to the large flock. There is room for improvement in every flock, and on account of the casual methods by which many small flocks are built up the need is usually very great. The man who only requires a small breeding flock is at a disadvantage, because station owners and managers do not like selling small lines of sheep, and the buyer is forced to accept what he can get. Then again he may not have sufficient funds to procure a good even line of ewes. It is recommended, therefore, that every flock-owner class his ewes at least to the extent of culling out all the low-grade animals. In flocks which are used primarily for fat-lamb production, size of frame, roominess in girth and hindquarters, good milk-producing qualities, and early maturity are points of importance, and all ewes lacking these qualities to any extent should be eliminated from the breeding flock. At the same time, the wool side must not be lost sight of, as a ewe can raise a satisfactory fat lamb, and still produce a payable fleece of wool. ' The best time to class the flock, is just prior to shearing, as the sheep are then carrying full evidence-of their value as producers of' wool, but it is quite possible to carry out . the job any time after the sheep are carrying seven or eight months’ wool. The main consideration in regard to the wool is to make the flock as even as possible; and with crossbred ewes, because of the greater value attaching to the finer classes of crossbred wool, it is advisable to cull the coarser wooled animal with the object of getting a flock that will cut a fairly even clip of medium to fine crossbred wool.