FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1929, Page 16

FARM AND DAIRY

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY NOTES.

HOGGET MORTALITY; ITS PREVENT

(By the Department of Agriculture.)

The exeprience of the past two seasons has been such that the successful rearing of lambs after weaning, carrying them through the autumn and ' winter with a minimum of losses, is a subject which requires to be studied by every sheep farmer. When such losses assume importance, as happened in several districts in the north island last season, in South Canterbury and Southland in the previous season, the reduction of these losses and their prevention this season, has been the subject of enquiry. Everyone must know that the. management of the Hock and the regulation of the food supply are the two main principles Upon which to base successful rearing. As' a result of information obtained from prominent sheep farms in both island's, assisted by the experience of officers of the Department of Agriculture, the following suggestions are being put forward and the farmer would be well advised to apply, as far as possible on his holding, the most suitable means of combating losses in future seasons. As tlie weaning season again approaches an. attempt should be made to meet abnormal conditions as-prevention is better than cure. To consider the position as far as it applied, in the two previous years, the two outstanding factors in regard to the mortality w.ere r feed conditions and parasites. • These two factors were considerably aggravated by the seasonal climatic conditions, in which' an increased rainfall associated with mild humid weather resulted l in a more or less luscious growth of feed. it is not definitely known that this feed was of an innutritious nature, but that it was unsuitable for sheep is undoubted. On account of their close grazing, habits, short feed, with a fair percentage of fibre to assist in rumination, is the most suitable nastur: for sheep of all ages. Sheep do better when grazing pastures which have eaten down by cattle. The cattle population has undoubtedly decreased on many properties which in previous years carried sheep without any very serious mortality. Here is one reason for the unsuitable feed conditions in some cases. On the low-lying flats with a high carrying capacity the sheep pastures are more liable to become con; {aminated, the pastures become “sheepsick” on account of the absence of .rattle. If abnormal growth occurs in tlie autumn months and sheep are unable to control it, the condition as above described is met with. The feed is unsuit; able*for the sheep grazing thereon at the time, and such food is an excellent cover for the spread and propagation of internal parasites. These unfavourable factors are thus met with by lambs at the most vulnerable period in their life. There is no doubt that, after the lambs are weaned, after the loss of the mother's milk, and while the rate of growth and the demand for nourishment are both imperative, any set-back at this stage, together with a possible infestation with internal parasites renders the animal a typical case for hospital attention and treatment. Among other things mentioned by prominent and experienced sheep farmers 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 export. This is most important, and only emphasises the need for greater attention to the feeding of the late members of the flock and for those relegated to the cull class by the fat stock buyer. The far-reaching results of the above system of selling off the earliest and best lambs for the fatlamb trade have been recognised by many farmers. The impaired constitution of those remaining to join the breeding flock is a matter for tlie indiv uiial attention of each farmer. Not only is this important from a consequential aspect of the constitution of the flo- : in later years, but other factors, such as breeding capacity and wool deterioration, must be considered. What then are the possibilities in regard to the prevention of mortality in hoggets in the coming season? It may be mentioned here that in previous years too much stress has been laid on the importance of parasites and not enough attention has been paid to feed conditions, constitution and the building up of the system to enable it to resist. the attack of parasites. Lambs should be weaned as early as possible, depending on the season and the state of .the pasture available for the lambs after weaning. Late lambs require special supplementary feeding at time of weaning, and the practice of encouraging lambs to take dry nourishing feed is one 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 be ■weaned on to as clean pasture as possible, preferably that which has been grazed by cattle. With a scarcity of clean pastures owing to a shortage of cattle, any clean paddocks which have been ploughed or under cultivation and carrying a young grass crop may be used for the lambs. A paddock from which a crop of hay has been saved may bo used, provided it is

not allowed to become rank before use. These remarks apply more particularly to tlio rich flats, where the carrying capacity is greater than on more hilly country. The lambs should not be put on in jo great numbers; overstocking must be avoided. Ou 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 tho weanling lambs. On farms where it is possible to grow green feed, such as early rape, grass, oats or barley or any other suitable green feed, such feed gives the lambs a good start; late .jambs, in particular, need special treatment. Thousand-head-ed kale is a useful standby. With any of the above supplementary green feeds care is necessary until the lambs become accustomed to the new: feed, and it is always advisable to have a run-off on •grass. Lambs running on pasture country should be changed regularly. The weaker lambs or hoggets may be separated from the rest of tho flock and put on feed of a more invigorating nature. Young lambs may be taught to feed from troughs while still suckling their mothers, so that when weaning takes place such feeding may be continued and increased. Self-feeders would prevent the necessity of daily feeding. .* 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 tlie lambs : and. younger

sheep. This practice has had to be adopted where no clean pastures were available upon which to wean the lambs. It may bo here argued that the older sheep have 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 young stock. X’. ’a advantage appears to outweigh any disadvantage.

city renders such pastures more liable to parasitic contamination. In numerous instances last season dlliculty and losses were experienced on the flats while much less trouble, if .. any, was met with on the higher country. The higher country therefore has many advantages over the of parasites, is therefore more suitable for the youger sheep when clear pastures cannot be obtained on the flat. If such country is available, and if the lambs have been taught to feed, losses should be reduced in cases where such a procedure is practicable. On the flats, where the-carrying capacity is high, the possibilities of greater subdivision with rotational grazing, are considerable. Not only under this, system would a frequent 1 change of. pasture be provided, but the pasture could be better kept in control and any luxuriant growth could be shut up and utilised, in tho production of ensilage and.hay. for winter feeding. Moreover, such, areas would provide a fairly clean pasture upon which to wean lambs. The conserved food would be put to better advantage •in providing winter food than, by being trampled down.