T'.Mj !HK farmers' handbook. 



HAND-FEEDING SHEEP IN TIMES OF DROUGHT* 



In considering a problem of such magnitude, the different conditions undei- 

 whicli stock arc kept in the various districts, the facilities for making or 

 obtaining fodders at a reasonable cost, and the methods of feeding, are all 

 of importance. In addition, the possibilities of successfully weathering a 

 season of drought depend upon the individual grazier, and the care and 

 attention he is able or willing to devote to his flock. The methods will 

 depend largely on local conditions, and no one method of feeding nor any 

 single class of fodder can receive universal recommendation, though the 

 number of fodders available for hand-feeding is limited to the crops commonly 

 used in the State. The deciding factors, when it comes to the point of actually 

 feeding the flock are — 



1. The fodder available. 



2. The cost, including transport and labour. 



Anticipatory Measures. 



It is possible to reduce the risks connected with the business of sheep- 

 farming in a very material degree by the adoption of methods which are- 

 anticipatory of periods of drought, and among these may be mentioned the 

 avoidance of overstocking, the improvement of pastures, the conservation of 

 fodder in the form of ensilage, and the preservation of trees and shrubs 

 suit able for feeding in periods of scarcity. 



Avoid Overstocking. — In a good season the growth of herbage is so profuse 

 that stock cannot possibly keep it down : it is trampled underfoot and lie< 

 in a tangled mass on the ground. It is not to be wondered at, perhaps, that 

 \* ith a profuse supply of natural fodder the sheep-owner is tempted to purchase 

 more sheep, with the idea of fattening them and sending them to market. 

 Actually he should aim at keeping that number of stock which will enable 

 him at the threat of a dry season to dispose of his wethers and surplus ewes, 

 so that he may have sufficient feed left to carry on with his breeding stock. 

 This must be done before the sheep show signs of loss of condition, and the 

 owner must calculate at the time what sheep he can afford to keep and 

 what will be the probable cost of hand-feeding them. Even if he is unable 

 to obtain what he considers their market value, it is better to lose a little 

 on their value at once than he put to the worry and expense of finding 

 agistment and feed at famine prices, with the probability that in addition a 

 great number will eventually be lost. 



The most valuable stock — those that should be saved — are the young 

 breeding ewes, these being the foundation of the future flock. Hence, if it 

 is decided to dispose of any of the stock, the wethers and broken-mouthed 

 ewes should be sold first. Young ewes of fair quality will he valuable after 

 the drought has broken, and will repay the cost of being kept through the 

 bad season. 



Permanent Improvement of the Pastures. — Much of the natural herbage 

 has been replaced by weeds that are largely useless for grazing purposes. 

 In some cases the spread of these pests has been alarming, and the question 

 of their eradication and replacement with good, edible herbage is worthy 

 of very serious consideration. This aspect of the question is rarely faced bj 



* Compiled from an article by W. L. Hindmarsh, B.V.^c, D.V.H. 



