Dairy-farmers and Sheep.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 56, Issue 5, 20 May 1938, Page 332

Dairy-farmers and Sheep.

H. A. Bayley,

Inspector of Stock, Whangarei

IT is becoming a common practice for dairy-farmers to buy sheep or lambs as a side-line to graze some portion of their farms not suitable to dairying. Some of these farmers do not appreciate . the fact that in owning sheep they bring certain responsibilities upon themselves. A very essential requirement is dipping. It does not appear to be very well known that all longwool and crossbred sheep in the North Island ‘must be dipped between the Ist January and the 31st March ineach year. In the South Island this period is extended until 30th April.

Application, can be made by any owner for an extension of time, and, where circumstances warrant, a further period, not exceeding thirty-one days, may be granted in writing by the Inspector of Stock for the district. For all sheep not dipped a penalty is provided of not less than 3d. and not . more .than 2s. for every sheep not dipped. > Where lice-infected sheep are found in any place at which sheep are offered for sale, a penalty not exceeding £lO is provided.

Many buyers are under the impression that all sheep, before being yarded for sale, have been previously dipped and no further treatment needed. This is not always correct, and the onus is on the buyer to find out the position.

jot. . ■ On the Ahuriri Lagoon the maltingbarley trial, despite the fact that considerable areas were water-logged in the early stage, threshed out a nice weight, of 52 bushels per acre.