SEVEN AND A HALF SHEEP TO ACRE.

Shannon News, 7 June 1929, Page 2

SEVEN AND A HALF SHEEP TO ACRE.

RESULT OF TOPDRESSING. Auckland, May 27. Seven and a-half sheep to the acre are being wintered by Mr. F. J. Farrell, of Hamilton, on an area of 150 acres at Horotiu as the result of rotational grazing and heavy topdressing w'hich, although expensive, has yielded a handsome return on the owner’s outlay.

The area consists of rolling downs'.on w'hich a fine sole of grass is now' to be seen. Mr. Farrell has had the farm for nine years, and during that time he has never used a plough on the place. Any patches of new ground that require renewing in grass are cultivated mechanically to remove the surface grow'th, and the ground is harrowed and reharrowed and afterwards sown lightly with English grasses. The stock grazing on the place are 917 breeding ew'es, 450 hoggets, 22 yearling heifers, 20 steers, eight dairv cow's and five horses. The stock have difficulty in keeping the grass down so prolific is the growth. Provision has been made for a large number of lambs that are due shortly. .. ‘ Last year 1300 big sheep were grazed* on the farm during the winter.;- , .The ewesJ