ESTIMATES OF STOCK LOSSES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21556, 19 January 1940, Page 6

ESTIMATES OF STOCK LOSSES

Several Thousand Sheep Dead Area Between Kurow and Burke’s Pass Storm Was Unprecedented Estimates of the number of sheep lost through the recent unprecedented storm in the back country were obtained by a representative of “The Timaru Herald” yesterday in a tour which included the territory between Kurow and Burke’s Pass, taking in Omarama, Pukaki and Tekapo. Altogether it could be said that runholders in the area have lost several thousand young sheep. Some lost none, and a great many losses ranged between 0 and 70 sheep; in a few cases 300 sheep and more succumbed. The highest mortality occurred on the tableland country, and the lowest in the deep gorges, which evidently provided some protection. The greatest number of deaths were among young sheep, such as 4-tooth ewes, which were evidently not so well accustomed to severe conditions as older sheep. Generally, the Omarama and the Upper Waitaki area seemed to suffer more than the Mackenzie Country, the reason no doubt being that the country is more open and exposed. When considering estimates of losses, an important point is that correct tallies will not be known until the autumn muster; it is very difficult to find dead sheep on broken tussock country. Immediately after shearing many sheep were put back on high country. Estimates in most cases are made according to the number of sheep that died in home blocks. Omarama Losses Wild rumours were circulated as to the number of sheep lost in the Omarama district, and even though they were not entirely substantiated, the losses revealed by investigation were serious. At Glenbrook, which is owned by Mr J. Kelland, 300 ewes were known to be dead. A similar number had died on Bogroy, Mr Anderson’s property. Benmore’s loss was put down by Mr W. Sutherland who controls the station at 150 wet ewes. He said that the condition of the sheep was good, but until the storm broke the feed position was starting to become serious. The cause was traced to the fact that there was only 16i inches of rain during 1939, a figure eight inches below normal. Omarama losses occurred where shearing coincided with the unusual storm, and as many sheep went out on hill country immediately after shearing, the full extent of the losses will not be known until the autumn muster In some instances, it is expected that the estimates given at present might be exceeded, as it is practically impossible to find many dead sheep by riding over hill country. In the Mackenzie Country Quite a number of Mackenzie stations escaped loss through the storm, but one of the least fortunate was Simon's Pass. Two hundred and fifty ewes were known to be dead in home blocks, and the death rate amongst 2000 hoggets could not be estimated. The total loss might be 600 or more. Lambs usually sold will have to be held to replenish the flock. Mr J. Milligan, the manager of Simon’s Pass, spared no effort in an attempt to try to save the shorn sheep. Immediately the storm broke he filled the shed and put another mob of 400 amongst the trees in the homestead grounds. Even though the mob was protected by the trees, long grass, and some in fact, by the verandah of the homestead, 89 out of the 400 succumbed. One ewe was dosed with whiskey and put in a coal shed, but she died. Another ewe crawled into the coal shed by herself. The sheep made havoc of the flower garden, eating it to the ground. Trees were badly damaged by the weight of the snow; large limbs falling from Lombardy and silver poplars. Simon’s Pass sheep were in excellent condition. Perhaps the sole reason for the death rate is found in the fact that the temperature preceding the storm was 92 degrees in the shade, and when the weather broke, it fell to 38 degrees. The cold change, which lasted for 48 hours, was too much for the sheep to stand, and they died of exposure. The rainfall in the period was six inches, and between five to six inches of snow settled on the ground. Inquiries made at Ben Ohau, Glentanner, Bendrose, Glen Lyon, Dusky, Guide Hill and Braemar, revealed no losses of any consequence. In the case of Glen Lyon, even though the loss was put down at between 40 and 50 sheep, that was purely an estimate. The station was in the middle of shearing, which was being done by machines, when the storm broke, and an estimate of the mortality amongst sheep turned out on high country could not be made. Mr J. Fraser, of Dusky, said that about 34 of his sheep succumbed tn the storm. Mr P. Gibson, of Pukaki Downs, was out inspecting his sheep when a call was made, and he expected to find losses. At Mr J. Allan’s property, Bendrose, no sheep died, as his shearing did not coincide with the storm. Bendrose had five inches of rain as well as snow during the storm. The total rainfall for 1939 was only 12 inches.

Altogether it could be assumed that there were no serious losses in the Tekapo area. That, however, was the only part of the back country traversed where runholders discussed storm mortality with reticence. Inquiries were not made at Tekapo Station, but it was reported that a fair number of losses had occurred there. Mr T. D. Burnett. M.P., when interviewed at Balmoral Station, said the losses on that holding had been 100 4-tooth ewes. There had been no mortality at Mount Cook Station. Unless the Balmoral sheep had jeen moved about as soon as the storm broke, the losses, he considered, would have gone into many hundreds. The country had been patrolled thoroughly. Only Known Visitation

“In all our experience of 80 years, we never have had such a visitation," Mr Burnett said. “The conditions were peculiar, because heavy cold rain preceded the snow.” He went on to point out two features of the sheep mortality which were borne out by inquiries in other places. Young sheep were killed rather than old ewes. They seemed to be acclimatised to the severe conditions. Further, gorge country, because of its deep and sheltered location, was not so much affected as the high tablelands. A comparison between the losses at Balmoral and Mount Cook would substantiate that comparison. The nearness of shearing to the date

of the storm was apparently the deciding factor in mortality. There were no losses on the Sawdon Flat where shearing did not coincide, even though there was about five inches of rain and considerable snow. The stations on the Haldon road, too, escaped because they shore early. Rollesby station, on the Fairlie side of Mackenzie Pass, escaped with 12 dead.