Farm & Station

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19998, 25 July 1939, Page 15

Farm & Station

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LATE OR LIGHT?

PROSPECTS FOR LAMBING FLOCKOWNERS PERTURBED SHEEP IN GOOD ORDER RESULT OF MILD WINTER The main lambing season in the Gisborne district is expected to be either late or light, and fioekowners m some areas are feeling perturbed regarding the prospects. Those farmers who kept a close watch on their flocks during the mating season and used the ram testing device state that during .the early part of the mating season many of the rams were sterile for a period. Thus the ewes were late becoming in lamb. This theory is supported by present observations, and in a number of instances the breeding ewes appear very backward. They are in good condition, however, as .a result of the mild winter. While the breeding cattle have suffered somewhat by a lack of feed, there was sufficient growth for the flocks, which are expected to come out of the winter in good order. Divided Opinions Whether the ultimate lambing returns will be below normal is only a matter for conjecture at present, and while some are inclined to the view that average to good returns' should be experienced, others fear that the percentages -may be small. The iambs should not suffer to any great extent by being a little late, if reasonably good weather conditions prevail, lor under such’ circumstances the iambs should' make better progress than, if they were early in a bad season. The early black-faced lambs on the fiat also seem to be later coming forward, and only small numbers are seen about the flat country ait present. The numbers are not expected to be much increased before next month. Little Cattle Feed A substantially reduced number of cattle on the hill country relieved the position, a great deal for the breeding herds, Which have suffered somewhat from a shortage of feed, because the autumn rains came too late to provide a good growth in the hill pastures. The dry cattle, however, are reported to be in .satisfactory order.