June 2, 190S.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 



489 



Breeding Sheep for Mutton. 



G. M. McKEOWN, 

 Wagga Experiment Farm. 



Sheep for Mutton. 



For some time at the Wagga Experiment Farm trials of cross-bred sheep 

 have been carried out primarily with a view to ascertaining the most profit- 

 able sheep for the comparatively small landholder, and the best methods 

 of increasing the carrying capacity of his property. 



The most profitable method of sheep-breeding for him is undoubtedly 

 that of producing lambs for early sale as freezers for export or for home 

 consumption, as at the age of 4 to 5 months the lambs are saleable at prices 

 practically equal to the value of their dams, and he has in addition the 

 proceeds of the wool of both ewes and lambs. 



Assuming, therefore, that the lambing average is 90 per cent. — and 

 in any fair season there is no reason why it should not reach, or even exceed 

 this figure — a grazier needs only to provide pasture for half, or a little over 

 half, his full number of sheep for the entire year. 



Lamts (6| months; by Shropshire Rams from Lincoln-Merino Ewes. 



As the mating of the rams and ewes should be arranged so that the lambs 

 shall be dropped at the time that the most succulent pasture is available, 

 the full number of sheep will be carried during the season when pastures, 

 whether natural or prepared, are at their best. About 2 per cent, of 

 vigorous rams will ensure an even lambing. 



In the southern inland districts, therefore, the best time for putting rams 

 and ewes together is in November or December, thus ensuring the drop at 

 a time when in normal seasons good grass is available, which should continue 

 in succulent condition until October or November. 



This admits of a good margin of time for the sale of the lambs before 

 they incur much risk of injury from grass seeds. 



