Snow and Snow Raking on High-country Sheep Stations

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 78, Issue 5, 16 May 1949, Page 447

Snow and Snow Raking on High-country Sheep Stations

HIGH-COUNTRY sheep farming, which is carried out on about 10,000,000 acres of New Zealand’s 43,000,000 acres of occupied land, mainly along the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps in 'the South Island, is a very important part of the sheep and wool industry. Farming on this country, mainly covered with native tussock grasses, is highly specialised and bears very little relationship on the management side to any other types of sheep farming. The high-country farmer derives practically all his income from wool. Rabbits, erosion problems, and heavy snowfalls out of season cause high mortality every few years, and, as lambing percentages are very low, it may take years to build up flocks again after heavy losses in snow. Some of the trials and troubles which Nature lays across the path of the high-country sheep farmer, particularly during annual snowfalls, are described in this article by J. L. McLean, Sheep and Wool Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Timaru.

/"XNCE April has arrived thoughts as to whether the ensuing winter will be relatively mild or severe pass through the minds of both city dwellers and high-country station owners. The townsman, possibly interested in ski-ing or ice sports, is more concerned with whether the snow will be sufficiently heavy to allow him to spend weekends at his favourite ski ground or to take part in ice skating. The station owner, on the other hand, with many years of experience of good and bad seasons, looks ahead with a certain doubt. A good summer does not always precede a good winter, as station owners know,

and uppermost in the mind of the high-country farmer are such questions as whether the snow will be early or late, heavy or light; and whether there will be heavy frosts to make it remain for weeks or perhaps even months on the ground. Though the high-country man may regard the pending winter with fear and trepidation, a certain amount of snow is necessary. Many of the bigger creeks and rivers are of course snow fed, but there are many smaller creeks and streams, whose origin is in springs, which are essential in providing water for the stock. These springs are generally built up by snow over winter and spring and so are able to supply water for most, if not all, of the summer.

Summer and Winter Grazing

The greatest possible use must be made of feed on the mountain tops during summer, and with this end in view flocks are taken out to the higher country as soon after shearing as is practicable. This is done, of course, to conserve the more valuable fodder on the lower land for late autumn and winter use. Owing to the small acreage of arable land available and the cost of production, many station owners find it impossible to grow supplementary winter feed for their stock and are therefore dependent on these lower lands or, in an extreme emergency, on the purchase of hay.

After the dipping and weaning muster in late March or April sheep are put on their winter blocks —country warmer in winter and with a less risk of heavy snow lying for considerable periods. A fall of snow at about this time is often of use, as in many cases it prevents the sheep from straying over the higher tops again and so making not only extra work for the shepherds, but also exposing themselves to the danger of being cut off and perhaps dying from exhaustion, starvation, or suffocation. The loss of a few sheep in average seasons is normally expected, but it is not these few which cause concern, but the hundreds and sometimes thousands of losses which can occur during one prolonged bitter snowstorm lasting

for days or perhaps weeks. Such a storm can transform a comparatively safe countryside into a veritable death-trap.

The high-country farmer is dependent entirely on wool for his livelihood, and if, as has happened in the past, he loses 20, 50, or even 80 per cent, of his flock in one season, only disaster would appear to be in store.

Early Days in High Country

Books and articles on the early history of sheep farming in Canterbury and Otago contain records of the hardiness and tenacity of pioneer highcountry men that cannot fail to impress the reader. The names of many families honoured in connection with the early development of Canterbury could be cited, but there are many unmentioned and ' musterers, shepherds, labourers, and cooks who were associated with the development of the back country and who all turned their hands to the rescue of snowbound sheep after snowstorms had swept over the country.

Snow raking now is a difficult and arduous task, but no one can fail to admire the spirit of the early pioneers in a new land, who, with virtually no communication with their neighbours, struggled to rescue their animals.

Probably one of the most disastrous losses in all the history of sheep raising in New Zealand occurred in 1867 on the Spraxton holding some miles inland from Ashburton. . Before the winter of that year this place carried about 11,000 head of stock, but in one of the worst storms ever recorded in Canterbury almost the entire flock was wiped out. Such a loss' must have been a heart-breaking experience for the early pioneer.

Further evidence that this season was a particularly severe one is provided by records in the diary of Mr. T. A. Phillips, manager of the Point Station not many miles distant, the following extracts from which illustrate the trials of New Zealand’s pioneers of high-country sheep farming, the descendants of some of whom are still farming in the high country.

“July 30th: Heavy snow a foot deep at sundown.

“July 31st: A fearful day, wind like an extra sharpened, double bladed super fine razor. Snow drifted six feet in places—average eighteen inches. No wood to be got or barely enough to cook with.

“August Ist: Rain, sleet, hail, snow, etc. No fire all day; go to bed at intervals. No tobacco, no water. Limited supply of grub.

“August 2nd: Same as yesterday, but more so.”

The sheep losses in Canterbury alone in 1867 were 350,000 head, while losses in the whole of the South Island were in the vicinity of 750,000. There must have been many similarly disastrous. but unrecorded instances in other seasons. .

Avalanches have of course taken their toll of the lives of men and animals alike, and no doubt one of the most fateful in the' history of snow raking in New Zealand must have been in 1879. After an excep-tionally-heavy fall of snow in the winter of that year two shepherds, Smith and Morrison, lost their lives in the vicinity of Rollesby Station. They had made a track round a narrow, steep gully and were bringing sheep round the track when the mob suddenly broke up, which brought down an avalanche which carried men and sheep down to the bottom of the gully. The bodies of these two men were not found until about a month later. Heavy snowstorms entailing serious losses have occurred periodically. Another season of major disaster for the sheep farmer was that of 1895, when it snowed and froze alternately. In this year about a quarter of the flock of the famous Mt. Cook Station was lost.

Snow Raking

The work of rescuing animals marooned in severe snowstorms is termed snow raking. There is work in most walks of life which taxes man’s physical and mental endurance

to the utmost, but it would be difficult to find anything which calls for such courage, endurance, and perseverance as snow raking does.

If a true picture of this exhausting and often dangerous work is to be gained, it is necessary to trace its history from the early days to the present. Primitive as it may seem, it is still the only means of rescue possible in mountainous country today. Three or four men, by walking in single file, make a track through the snow along which the sheep can travel to safer land where they may be fed. Though this trampling of the snow may seem relatively simple, it is particularly exhausting, especially for the leader, whose job it is to make the first break in the snow. This is quite often waist deep, but it is when it is frozen on top and when a hard crust just strong enough to hold a man’s weight has formed that the mork is a hundredfold more arduous and exhausting. Half an hour or less in front is sufficient to sap the energy of the hardiest man, and, to lessen exhaustion and fatigue, the leader, after his spell in front, drops .to the rear, where the track is reasonably formed. Whether the land was perfectly flat or whether it was rugged, this was the only method available for snow raking or rescuing sheep in the early days.

The Snow Plough

For this arduous work, however, science has again come to the aid of man in evolving the snow plough, a machine designed for pushing aside the snow and making a track for the sheep ,to walk on or a clearing. on which to feed out. Snow ploughs have been used in the past for clearing blocked highways, but this work is now done principally by bulldozers. The first attempt to make snow raking easier consisted of dragging a bag of boulders behind a horse, but this met with little success because of excessive wear on the. bag. This method was then superseded by the dragging by a horse of a log or tree. Then came a greater advancement with the use of a horse-drawn snow plough smaller but similar in principle

to the one illustrated. It is not certain when the first implement of this type was used in New Zealand, but general information indicates that use was first made of one at Raincliff near Albury in South Canterbury in 1868. The snow plough used extensively in recent years consisted of two large curved blades joined in the front to form a V-shaped implement. Attachments in the form of strengthening cross-bars are so designed and fitted that the plough can be fixed to the front of a crawler tractor. Naturally where the land is negotiable these snow ploughs save much valuable time, labour, and energy. Experienced Shepherds Essential

The more personal side of snow raking, where the shepherds go out on the rougher and steeper mountains, can be and often is dangerous and treacherous work. What may have been a sheer cliff normally plainly visible may have disappeared under drifting snow and the locality appear level. Absolute familiarity with the country gained only by years of experience in mustering and sheep work is essential if accidents are to be avoided. Knowledge of the habits of sheep is also highly important if valuable time is to be saved. Knowing where . they are likely to go when the storm is from a certain quarter makes the work so much easier. Patience also is essential, because sheep, especially if they are in a weakened state, must be carefully handled. After several days of exhausting work from daylight till dark men’s nerves are liable to become frayed. Further snowstorms or heavy fogs may confine the team of snow rakers for days to one small isolated hut.

In the blusterers' Huts Life in the musterers’ huts can be of monotonous regularity. Normally these huts are stocked during summer with tinned food and other foodstuffs which will keep. Firewood is gathered too before the winter, as this is the sole means of heating and cooking. Reading matter available in the huts usually consists of magazines of varying vintage and types. A pack of cards may find a use when it is not possible to leave the hut during the day. After a hard day’s toil all that matters is the bunk, and whether it is soft or hard it always holds promise of hours of sound sleep. Cooking may be done in turns or by one slightly more adept. The opportunity for drying out clothes and boots is taken by everyone after a day in the snow.

Personal Equipment . Although personal equipment varies immensely, a quality common to all clothing worn by snow rakers is warmth. Strange as it may seem, the most effective garments for protection against wetting from snow are made from pure wool. Woollen trousers tied tightly with “snow straps” over the tops of strong boots will keep out snow for considerable periods. Boots treated with mutton fat or other waterproofing products are ab-

solutely essential for dry feet and the avoidance of frost bite. Frost bite, whether on the hands or feet, can be terrifically painful, and a handicap to the victim. Woollen gloves, too, may be included in the personal equipment, while the balaclava finds favour for protection of the face and head. Changes of underwear and of socks are almost vitally necessary for the snow raker.

Snow blindness is another hazard to be combated. If the sun is shining on a snowfield, particularly if the snow has melted slightly on top, the very bright, ~ glistening reflection which results may cause a type of blindness known as snow blindness, and to prevent contracting of this painful complaint all snow rakers should wear snow goggles when on snowfields. Binoculars are also invaluable for the location of “pockets” of sheep. Snowbound sheep may be found in small mobs of 20 or 30 or in bigger mobs of hundreds, or single sheep may be located. If snowbound sheep are in mobs, their chance of being found is considerably increased, and it is in the location of these mobs that binoculars prove their value. Their, use will often save needless time and energy, because it is quite often difficult to determine by the naked eye whether what appears to be a stranded mob is really a. mob or just a patch of rock appearing above the snow.

Location of Buried Sheep There may, however, be practically no evidence of sheep about, but almost by accident a small breathing hole will be found in the snow. The sheep may be completely snowed under, but its warm ■ breath melts the ■ snow above and forms a small hole which is the only evidence that there are sheep buried in a particular spot. A good, well-trained sheep dog will also often locate buried sheep. Merino sheep have been known to be buried under snow for 3 weeks and after rescue have been known to survive in spite of their weakness. The natural will of these animals to live when buried under snow is exemplified in their chewing of a very small portion of wool in an attempt to sustain themselves.

Handling Rescued Sheep After the location of these animals the work is not finished, for they must be set on the track to lower land where they can be fed out hay or other supplementary, fodder, or the snow might even be cleared to give small “pickings.” Sometimes they are brought round to clear and more open faces where the snow is not so deep and allowed to graze for themselves. Whichever course is adopted the sheep must be carefully handled, as the Merino is a wild animal whose nature is altogether different from that of the docile paddock sheep. A frightened Merino is liable to bound off the track and perhaps travel hun-

, dreds of yards downhill in deep snow until it is exhausted and unable to move further. The only course then is to go after the sheep and carry it back on to the beaten track, which is back-breaking work. When this happens to not one, but many sheep, it entails incalculable extra work and fatigue to man and animal alike. The Destructive Kea The fact that sheep may not be able to move at all in snow, either because of its depth, exhaustion of the animals, or a combination of both makes snowbound sheep an easy prey for the kea or New Zealand mountain parrot. This bird with its strong beak has been in the past, and can still be, particularly destructive of sheep, which it usually attacks on the back in the area above the kidneys. Death of the animals follows severe attacks, and when this happens to many sheep in a flock the loss is considerable. The maintenance of high-country flock numbers necessitates the keeping of almost all lambs bred each season, but when losses have occurred because of snow, building up of the flock is a long and difficult process with consequent loss of income during those years. In spring there are generally repairs to fences broken or flattened during the winter and many other maintenance jobs to be attended to. The severity of the winter also has an effect on the quality of the wool clip and therefore on the returns from its production. There is, perhaps, small consolation for the troubles and consequent worries of severe winters in the high country in that snow aids in the control of rabbits, which in many high-country areas have caused great economic loss. References . “High Country,” R. M. Burden. “Early Canterbury Runs,” L. G. D. Acland. “The Pastoral Review and Graziers Record,” October 16, 1939. Acknowledgment is made of the assistance of Mr. D. Burnett, who supplied information on early days, and to Mr. J. B. Kirkland for supplying photographs.

PASTURE PRODUCTION IN N.Z. As grassland farming is the basis of agriculture in New Zealand, a knowledge of pastures and their management is essential for efficient primary production. The Department of Agriculture’s Bulletin No. 250, “Pasture Production in New Zealand,” which has now been published in a revised edition incorporating latest developments in research, should be of great value to farmers, research workers, and students. The bulletin is divided > into three partsgrasses, clovers and other allied plants, and pasture management— its object is to discuss the means by which the best value from both plants and animals may be secured. Copies of this publication may be obtained from offices of the Department of Agriculture at Auckland, Palmerston North, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The price is 2s. 6d., post free.

1.--' SHEte<.IN' SNOW

The great demands made on the stamina of .i men and animals during heavy snowfalls in .. high country are illustrated on this page. In steep and rugged country deep snowdrifts ; and sometimes avalanches make sheep rescue work both difficult and dangerous. Men* should be well equipped and skilled in the * handling of sheep, and a well-trained dog is ; an invaluable aid. Sheep rescued'af ter being i 'buried for tome time; in snow are ; often too weak to walk and have to be carried. times holes made in the snow by the breath | of the/ sheep are the only evidence of burmj animals, and it is in the location of these thatj dogs are particularly valuable. Mustering is/ extremely difficult in deep snow and the? collecting of scattered sheep into one mob. . for ease of handling requires great patience.

Use of the power-driven snow \ plough has been a marked •4 advance in the history of snow .4 raking, though the old manual ■"4 method has still to be employed in high, inaccessible country. Rescued sheep ■T brought out to safer country are fed hay in netting feeders. The kea or mountain parrot is responsible for considerable loss among sheep weaks ened after being snowbound. _ .