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New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 934, 5 July 1957, Page 11

Sir,-The origins of the practice of winter shearing are more substantial and the reasons for its extension less capricious than "Sundowner" (June 21) would have us believe, Wool shorn at this time is cut at, or close to, a weakened portion of the fibre

which results mainly from stresses of nutrition and pregnancy inseparable from winter sheep management. The. practice does much to reduce break in wool, the major fault of the Dominion’s clip. This surely is good business. Experimental evidence, accessible to all, shows that wool faults are greatly reduced and that the total amount of wool produced is in no way affected by the time of shearing. Further, the measurement of the growth rate of suckling lambs, a reliable indicator of milk production, shows that in this respect the capacity of the ewe is unimpaired. Certain minor considerations of practical husbandry, both for and against, do not materially alter the picture. Fortunately, these facts are known by many shepherds whose calendars, should they write them, remain unpublished. There is little doubt that sheep grow more wool than is necessary to keep them warm. Consideration of heat regulation in animals takes us into realms of biological mechanisms which do not necessarily support the contention that wool alone keeps sheep warm or that without it they will experience exceptional distress. They may, however, be vulnerable to excessive cold, against which precautions can normally be taken. Such risks are assessed by the farmer in his own farm environment and those in rigorous climates do not winter shear. The humanitarian basis for action, as stated, carries the peculiar implication that only unprofitable cruelties are intolerable. Should the S.P.C.A. pursue the matter it is probable that even more ethical attitudes will be supported by unscientific thinking. "Sundowner" cannot hope, however, to ennoble his cause ot do ¢redit to his journalist’s calling by paying scant regard to fact.

K. H. C.

LEWIS

(Mosgiel).