ERADICATION OF RAGWORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3913, 2 March 1929, Page 2

ERADICATION OF RAGWORT.

USE OF SHEEP. 'Some interesting facts concerning, the eradication of ragwort were mentioned at the monthly meeting of the Manawatu ,Ra'bbit Board, which was held in Foxton on Thursday. Trustee Gloyu said that it had 'been said that the weed could bo successfully eradicated by crowding sheep on to the affected area but his experience showed that it was a dangerous thing to place sheep on ragwort country. He had known of 600 lambs being put on to ragwort and afterwards when they had been removed placed on rape 400 out of the 600 died. He also knew of another fanner who had placed 200 fat sheep which had been taken off ragwort on the train and before they reached the works over 100 had died. As soon as the animals were taken off ragwort bustled to any extent they died. The greatest care had to he exercised if sheep were used to eradicate this noxious weed. Other opinions expressed were that the only method of successfully eradicating ragwort was to place sheep on the property so affected and to keep the plough going. If care was exercised and the sheep were not bustled after being on ragwort they were quite all right. The best sheep for the job were old gufmmy ewes.