SHELTER BELTS OF TREES MAKE GOOD SHEDS FOR SHEEP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 61, 7 March 1949, Page 3

SHELTER BELTS OF TREES MAKE GOOD SHEDS FOR SHEEP

Avenues of trees, plantations and shelter belts can be very valuable assets at shearing time to supplement the shed and night pen accommodation, and will keep sheep remarkably dry in spite of heavy rain. Two plantations, running parallel a few chains apart and then describing a right angle (such as might do service round a farmhouse), will doubly ensure that the sheep, which are wont to travel before a storhi, will seek shelter. Another plan is to put the sheep through one of the fences which protect a plantation against stock, any tall grass having been trampled down previously during fine weather. Maybe Costly Rain in some seasons and districts is a serious hazard to shearing, and may result in lengthy, and costly delay, especially if rain commences during shearing; because, even if there is due warning of approaching

rain, the shed and night pen accommodation is limited and can be used only for dry sheep and ewes which are being weaned at shearing time, unless one is prepared to take the risk of imposing some check on the lambs. The rate at which the sheep dry out after rain varies considerably. Open locky fleeces, such as. Romney hoggets, may become perfectly dry in less than half a day if exposed to a strong breeze and in an atmosphere of low relative humidity. Such is often the case in parts of the Wairarapa, for example. At the other extreme, the fleeces, particularly if long and dense like the Corriedale, may under humid atmospheric conditions remain damp for days after the rain has ceased. Heavy dews at night result in the points, brisket and belly wool becoming too wet to shear, although the remainder of the fleece may be perfectly dry. The effect of cold and wet conditions on newly-shorn sheep can be serious and in some cases heavy losses from pneumonia, pleurisy and shock have been suffered. In this connection ewes with lambs at footneed particular care if their milk supplies are not to be retarded, and sheltered padocks should be reserved for them. Open, draughty plantions are to be avoided.

Rangitaiki Axemen’s Sports SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Edgecumbe Domain