Breeding and Feeding

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 11, 8 September 1939, Page 53

Breeding and Feeding

It is a question partly of breeding, but mainly of feeding, since the quantity of any livestock product

which a farmer may take off his property, in any one season, and the general standard of quality of that product, depend largely upon the degree of efficiency with which his stock are fed. Where meat

is to be the final product, and especially where early maturity and fattening of the animals is desired, feeding largely determines both quantity and quality, To-day, the fat lamb raiser, in most instances, calls upon his pastures to provide the major portion of fattening foodstuff that is necessary to bring his lambs to prime condition. Breeding ewes, and particularly fattening lambs, are exacting in their food Tequirements, and the fat lamb raiser must so afrange the management of his pastures as to ensure, at all seasons of the year, a sufficient supply of the right type of herbage to fulfil the requirements of the classes of stock concerned. These conditions are necessary: 1. Adequate drainage of all fields.. 2. A top-dressing programme, including liming, with a view to maintaining high production and persistence of sound pastures. 3. Strict attention to grazing control, to avoid under-grazing in the spring and over-grazing during dry periods and in the winter, 4. Subdivision of the farm and adequate provise ion for shelter and water to all fields, 5. Harrowing either with chains or tines, and sometimes with both, to ensure even distribue tion of returned fertility and to promote aeration of soil, and penetration of the fertilizers applied. ot.