WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20963, 16 February 1938, Page 4

WAIMATE

SHEEP DISEASES TALK BY DR. HAMMOND After giving an address on the lines of his talk at Holme Station. Dr. J. Hammond, the visiting expert from Cambridge University, had some interesting comment to make on the problems of the sheepfarmer, during an informal discussion with fanners on the property of Mr Alan Grant, "Craigburn,” on Monday. Dr. Hammond dealt with the problems of breeding, the care of the ewes before and after lambing, the selection of useful rams and also gave an outline of the aims of modern research in breeding. The visitor was introduced by Mr Grant, who said that the sparse attendance was due to the harvest. Replying to a question as to the means of securing early lambs, Dr. Hammond said that there were wide variations with different breeds, the mutton breeds generally being earlier than the others. Experiments were now being conducted in England by which early breeding ewes were being selected with the object of building up an early lambing strain. It had been found that a ewe which lambed early in one season would also come in early in the subsequent season. In order to speed up production, the practice had been started in England of breeding ! from ewe lambs, but it was argued that it resulted in stunted ewes and weak lambs. Ewe lambs mated later in the season and consequently the lamb was born after tiie flush of grass. The shortage of feed tended to stunt the growth of the ewe and the lack of milk meant a weak lamb. If, however, the ewes were given proper feed the animal would come in with good milk and have a healthy lamb. /Asked to comment on the incidence of paralysis in ewes, Dr. Hammond said a great deal of the trouble was probably due to the ewes going downhill instead of being built up to a vigorous, hardy condition before lambing. Uniformity Should Be Aim Surprise at the number of breeds in the South Island as compared with the North was expressed by Dr. Hammond. When watching lambs going through the freezing works in the North Island he found them as like as peas in a pod. In the South Island, however, there were many variations. Greater standardisation, he said, would be an advantage. A great many farmers in Canterbury do not breed their own ewe lambs, said Mr H. Milne. They came into the district from other parts. Mr H. J. C. Harper said that the Corriedale and half bred sheep had replaced the Merino in the back country where the ewe lambs were secured. Dr. Hammond: Why not strive for more uniformity in the halfbreds? Mr Harper said that it had taken 30 years to evolve the Corriedale and there was still lack of uniformity. Dr. Hammond: We have younger breeds in England which are more uniform. That is because breeders made up their minds what they wanted. If producers of halfbreds knew what they wanted they could do the same.

Mr Harper said there was more uniformity when Merinos came in from the back country. Again urging the necessity for ! uniformity. Dr. Hammond quoted English experience of the marketing of New Zealand lambs. When the lambs came from a certain part of the country the agents looked at the label and said, “the lambs from that district are good.” When the consignment was from another district the agents advised buyers to look over the carcases before purchasing. It would be to the benefit of all, he said, if breeders in the back country could be urged to seek uniformity. The breeders would benefit because, with a better trade for the lambs, the farmers would be able to pay more for the ewes. Mr Harper: With all due deference to the Corriedale, it has not a strong constitution. Dr. Hammond: I have seen some good specimens. Mr Harper: Not in the back country. Dr. Hammond: If you pul a big framed animal on to poor land it must go to pieces. Mr Grant said that farmers generally went for big rams. Rams were better small and lively than big and poor, replied Dr. Hammond. Mr Grant: That’s what they go tortile biggest and ugliest rams. Dr. Hammond: That’s just what the English market does not want. » When those present were asked by Dr. Hammond to state the problems with which they were confronted, Mr Harper mentioned the heavy mortality among lambs from the pulpy kidney stage until two months after weaning. Dr. Hammond said that pulpy kidney was a disease infection which could be treated by inoculation. Mr Grant expressed the opinion that the sheepfarmers’ problems were mostly feed problems. "A well-fed sheep does not need to worry about worms,” said Dr. Hammond. Mr Grant said that farmers needed a feed to take the place of rape, which went off too soon. He had imported from England last year a variety called Hungry Gap, which appeared to be doing well. The price was 12/6 per lb. Mr Milne .said he had rape already flowering. Some of it was from certified seed. Dr. Hammond said that at Lincoln College experiments were being carried out to produce rape .maturing at different times. At the conclusion of his talk, Dr. Hammond was thanked by Mr Harper. BOWLING The Walmate Bowling Club's championship pairs competition was won by J. J. Healey and T. E. Parry, who defeated G. W. Collett and S. J. McMaster in the final. SCHOOL SPORTS At St. Patrick’s Parish sports held at Knottingly Park on Saturday the championships resulted as follows: Boys—A. Eathome 13 points 1, K. White 11 points 2, K. Edwards 10 points, R. Fraser 8 points. Girls—T.

Crowe 15 points, P. Breslin 1, K Breslin 5 PERSONAL Mr and Mrs S. R. Wright are spending a holiday in Christchurch. Mrs W. Buckingham and Mr Leslie Buckingham, of Rakala, who have been spending a holiday in Walmate, returned north yesterday. Mr A. D. Park, of Christchurch is visiting Waimate. Mr d’A. S. Grut is at present representing the South Island Country Bakers and Waimate District Bakers Association at the annual conference of the Master Bakers' Association at Napier. He will be absent from Waimate for a week.