LAMBING SEASON IN WAIKATO

Southland Times, Issue 23586, 13 August 1938, Page 20

LAMBING SEASON IN WAIKATO

AVERAGE MORTALITY REPORTED AFTERMATH OF FACIAL ECZEMA Although severe weather has been almost general during the past three weeks, the lambing season is progressing satisfactorily in most parts of the Auckland Province. There have been a number of cases of heavy mortality in the Waikato, particularly where eczema-affqcted ewes are concerned, but in the area immediately south of Auckland farmers are not dissatisfied with the results of the early phases of the lambing. Following mild July conditions, a cold spell in the Waikato is reported to be having an adverse effect upon the early portion of the season. A high average of mortality is reported from many parts of the district and it has been found by most farmers that a big number of the lambs from ewes which were affected earlier in the year by facial eczema have been unable to survive the severe conditions. Largely due to the epidemic, lambing has also been found to be later. However, the position is not viewed with alarm by stock authorities in Hamilton, as the season has barely commenced and the effects of the stock eczema cannot yet be ascertained, states The New Zealand Herald. On well-sheltered farms losses are stated to have been no more than average, and in the Ohaupo district there are many properties where excellent lambing percentages have been obtained. A different position, however, prevails in other quarters, a case in point being provided on a farm three miles from Hamilton. Here 50 lambs were born overnight early this month

and 20 of them had died two days later. Significance is attached to the fact that they were from ewes which had suffered during the epidemic. Lambing in the Clevedon district is somewhat later than in other areas, but satisfaction is expressed by farmers at the low percentage of mortality, although last year’s averages are not expected. Sheep that were affected by eczema have had small and weakly lambs, while the offspring of the younger ewes are not up to standard in some cases. “Fairly good” was the description applied to lambing in the Papakura area, although the number of empty ewes is, perhaps, above normal. Percentages at this early stage of the season show indications of remaining at an average level.

In Hawke’s Bay heavy losses of stock as a result of the abnormal rain during the past two or three weeks, and the conditions which have followed it, are expected to be revealed when the farmers have an opportunity to make a thorough survey of their properties and flocks. Such losses will be the most serious consequence of the weather conditions, which at one time threatened to repeat the flood disaster of April last.

Lambs have suffered more severely than other classes of stock. The main lambing season is not expected for a week or two at the earliest, but the season is well under way, and the weather has meant almost the certain death of lambs born during the past week. Hundreds have died through being born in paddocks covered by several inches of water, while others have been unable at such a tender age to withstand the rigours of the driving rain and penetrating cold. It is possible that the total losses may run into some thousands. One farmer alone is reported to have lost 500 lambs. There is no great prospect for lambs born during the next few days unless there is a spell of warm or, at least, mild weather. So much rain has fallen that the surface water in all areas exceeds anything within memory, and the sodden condition of the ground is a serious matter at lambing time.