INFLUENCE OF FEED ON SHEEP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2926, 16 April 1891, Page 4

INFLUENCE OF FEED ON SHEEP.

What is a grass-fed sheep ? is a question that has often been asked by intending competitors in the grass-fed classes at our leading 3hows (says ' ISruni ' in the Australasian). Truly the difference in the food of grass-fed sheep is almost, if not (juite, as great as between grass and artilieially-fed sheep. For instance, the man whose sheep are reared on the natural grasses of the country is heavily handicapped when competing with sheep fed on lucerne, clover, and ryegrass, or any other of what arc known as artificial grasses. The sheep do not meet on fair grounds, iiud the result is not, satisfactory. Even when the sheep are fed on the natural pasture of the country, a judicious selection of the field iu which to feed the sheen has a great deal to do with carrying ofT the prize, In all stock shown for prizes condition has a great influence with the judges, and often I have known condition influence the allotment of the prizes against the judgment of those who marlc , the •uvarr'r. Tne influence of condition is seen nowhera so plainly as at our annual stock sales. I have seen £0 worth of feeding put £100 on a ram, while another sheep, out of condition, would not realise half his value. The buyer knows well enough that the brilliant lustre of the fleece and attractive appearance of the sheep are due to feeding, but jie is nevertheless led away by it ; and it is just the same with the judges. The best suggestion I have heard on the subject is to contine the grass-fed classes to sheep reared on the general pasture of the district, and in the other classes permit the owners to feed as they like, but prohibit housing and clotliiug.