MORTALITY AMONG BIG LAMBS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 47, 20 November 1918, Page 8

MORTALITY AMONG BIG LAMBS

. Writing in the "Farmers' Union Advocate," "Agricola," the South Island contributor of that'journal, says:—The Sheepbwncrs' Union has discussed the matter of the mortality .among the big. lambs, arid an effect is being made to get the Agricultural in conjunction' with the various farmers' organisations,; to make'"a thorough'investigation. According to tome of the members the deaths among these lambs'havo assumed big proportions', and farmers are alarmed. It is a matter that affects the farmers most because the lambs ; pn the higher country where 'there is little else but tussock are not affected. All sorts of theories are .-;dvan;ed for the "trouble. Some think that the frosty weather has had something To do with it. Others 6ay that thev believe that the youngsters are' too'well fed, while yet others consider that thev have not been getting the exercise that they sljould take. Investigations should have been made when the trouble 1 was at its worst. The deaths are not so numerous now," snd it' may be more difficult to get cases to examine. Tho main portion of that work'will have to be left till "next, season probably, but in the meantime farmers could be asked to give their experiences in connection withHhe. deaths. Thev could state the circumstances under which the sheep were kent and an.vt.hins that came under thsir notice in-dealing with the sheep and the liimbs after the mortality had commenced. Rome good might be.done by comparing notes received in this way, and a good-deal of general information 1 .procured; v. .'■,.- ;