ON THE SHEEP FARM

Te Ao Hou, September 1961, Page 57

ON THE SHEEP FARM Sheep farmers will have now passed through the busy time of lambing and only the late lambs have yet to come along. Just how hard this busy time has been for the farmer depends on the manner in which he had prepared for this important period. The early lambs will now have been docked and just what care had been taken in this very important operation will have an effect on the number of lambs which have been lost through insufficient care. It has been calculated that some 10 to 15 per cent. of all lambs born, die before weaning time and with care half of this number could be saved. Rough treatment at docking time accounts for many deaths and it does not seem to matter whether the rubber rings or the knife are used during this operation. Milk fever in the ewes brought about by sudden changes in feed often renders lambs motherless and the orphans either die or grow up into what we call culls. Scabby mouth is a disease which often attacks a new crop of lambs, so if there is any fear of this, all lambs should be vaccinated. This is done most conveniently at docking time when the lambs are being marked. This vaccine is obtainable from most stock firms and it gives very good protection if used correctly. Ewes should also be vaccinated at the same time as their lambs, but only if there is good reason for the farmer to suspect that this disease may attack them too. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ One of the best known Maoris in the Wanganui district, Mr Tenga Takarangi, has retired from the Department of Maori Affairs. He is 63 years of age. Mr Takarangi joined the staff of the Maori Affairs Department in 1942. He has had a colourful sporting career. He was a crack rugby and tennis player, a skilled rower and a proficient athlete. Mr Takarangi is chairman of the Putiki County Town Committee and is assistant secretary of the N.Z. Maori Golf Association.