RUGGING SHEEP

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21087, 13 July 1938, Page 3

RUGGING SHEEP

Experiments In South Canterbury Striking Figures From Australian Sale Certain farmers in South Canterbury especially in the back country, are trying the experiment of covering their sheep, rather than drive them down country to turnip feed, which often results in the sheep not doing well when they return to their natural habitat. The opinion is held that at least 50 per cent of the food sheep absorb goes to generate heat in the body and it is thought that covering allows them to do with shorter rations, and in other words survive the severe winter of the back country without artificial feeding. Below are figures showing the return from rugged and unrugged sheep, which show the value of the experiment. Whether the experiment might be extended to crossbred sheep down country with a view to minimising the heavy mortality particularly in lambs is difficult to say, but certain down country men are covering their hoggets this year and are enthusiastic in the belief that the animals are showing a marked improvement compared with unrugged sheep. Australian Figures The results of a sale by auction at Flemington saleyards by Schute. Bell, Badgery, Lumby Ltd., in June, of rugged and unrugged flock sheep from “Glendon” Station, Manilla, shown at the stud sheep show, are as follows: Each 2 each 6-1 yeai wethers rugged .. 25/1 Skin value 7/9 Unrugged 16/5 Skin value 6/6 The comparison in price for carcase in favour of the rugged sheep was 8/3 and the skin value in favour of rugged sheep, 1/3. Each 2 each 6-tooth wethers rugged 25/7 Skin value 7/9 Unrugged 20/Skin value 7/The comparison in price of carcase in favour of the rugged sheep was 5/7, and the skin value in favour of rugged sheep, 9d. Each 2 each 6-tooth ewes rugged .. 17/4 Skin value 6/1 6-tooth ewe unrugged 12/10 Skin value 5/6 The comparison in price of carcase in favour of the rugged sheep was 4/6, "nd the skin value of rugged sheep, 6d. Each 2 each 6i year ewes rugged .. 22/4 Skin value 7/6 1 61 year ewe unrugged 20/Skin value 6/9 j The comparison in price of carcase in I favour of the rugged sheep was 2/4, and j the skin value of rugged sheep, 9d. Each 1 hogget rugged 22/4 ) Skin value 7/3 | 1 hogget unrugged 15/10 ' Skin value 6/- I The comparison in price of carcase in ' favour of the rugged hogget 6/6, and • the skin value of rugged hogget, 1/3. I The sheep exhibited by Copeland Estates, Pty., Ltd., “Glendon” Station, I Manilla, were the same as exhibited at ; the show last year and created a very ; great deal of interest amongst sheep men. On exhibit were shoulder samples ; of the wool shorn from these sheep in October last.

ELASTIC METAL The ability to combine steel and rubber into one material Is an important discovery in the science of producing artificial working materials. A German "elastic metal,” which is composed of a mixture of steel and soft india-rubber, is said to be an excellent material from which to manufacture springs of all kinds as well as couplings in machinery. This composition can also be used to advantage for sound absorbing devices.