RAGWORT

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2305, 1 March 1930, Page 4

RAGWORT

VALUE OF SHEEP ADVOCATED AT FARMERS' MEETING.. The value of sheep In checking the ragwort menace was strongly advocated by a district farmer at the monthly meeting of the Farmers' Union yesterday and he backed up his views with practical evidence, when he said that last year his 700 acres were literally covered with the pest, but thanks to sheep this season, one could put all the flowers to be found in a hat. The subject of ragwort was introduced by Mr R. H. Feisst, when he expressed appreciation of the publicity given to the subject of late seasons by the "Independent" and the Waikato press. Mr Feisst said while the farmers of the district were, generally speaking, doing their best to cope with ragwort, it was to b*e regretted that in some parts of the hill country, little, if anything was being done on §pme properties. He found it necessary to go round his farm every fortnight and he could appreciate what neglect meant. Mr H. P. Hewitt, of To Miro, also stressed the value of sheep. He thought the use of old ewes was tho only solution. He had found that by heavy stocking in the winter and early spring the ragwort plants were kept very much in check. Mr Hewitt said in his opinion, such was the value of sheep that some scheme might be formulated so as to assist farmers with big holdings infested with the pest.

It was decided that Mr Hewitt's suggestion be considered by the branch's remits committee.