ON THE SHEEP FARM

Te Ao Hou, December 1961, Page 53

ON THE SHEEP FARM The majority of the early and single lambs will have been sent to the works by now, so what is the best thing to do with those that are left? Tests have proved that it is advisable to shear these lambs and wean them early. Shorn lambs do better and fatten quicker than those unshorn. Other advantages of shearing early are the elimination of unnecessary losses through being caught up in blackberry or other rubbish and also the risk of fly strike. The weaned lambs should always be given the pick of the pastures and the ewes can be grazed on the rougher part of the farm until some weeks before being prepared for tupping. The preparation for tupping is most important. The farmer will have by now culled his ewes for age but there will be still odd ewes in his flock which will need to be culled also. When fly crutching, care should be taken to examine each ewe carefully for defective udders. Management of the ewe flock just prior to and during mating will set the maximum lambing percentage of the flock. Two-tooth ewes require special attention and treatment and if these sheep are carrying a heavy fleece they should be shorn some two weeks or more prior to being put out with the ram. These young ewes should be kept separate from the main flock and they should be mustered into a corner at every opportunity and held together for say a half an hour at a time. If this is done, it will enable the rams to work through the mob and catch any shy breeders. If this attention is given to the flock, a greater percentage of lambs should be the result. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ Among early life members of the Maori Education Foundation are the Maori King, Koroki Te Rata Mahuta and Mrs Puhi Ratahi, President of the Ratana Church, both of whom subscribed to the foundation last August.