252 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES 



additional return from the flock. When a heavy milking type of sheep 

 is kept for early fat lamb production, one of the troubles experienced is 

 the occurrence of what is now usually termed toxaemia of pregnancy, 

 which is very often fatal and in some years causes enormous loss. This 

 appears to be associated, among other conditions, with fatness in the 

 ewes at the end of the summer, and, consequently, is encouraged by the 

 practice of removing the lambs at an early age, so that the ewe has no 

 outlet for her productive capacity during the summer. 



Production of Wool. — The current price of wool makes the time oppor- 

 tune for considering how far we are wise in trying to combine wool and 

 meat production. Wool is eminently one of the products best suited for 

 production in remote parts of the world, where arable farming, and even 

 meat production, are out of the question. Weight for weight, it is far 

 more valuable than grain, and, unlike meat, it does not readily deteriorate 

 in handling, storage and transport. Apart from the competition from 

 such areas overseas, which shows no signs of slackening, there is the 

 question of the diversion of food from the production of meat and milk. 

 Wool, as taken off the sheep's back, consists mainly of protein and grease, 

 with a little moisture and a certain amount of soil and other impurity. 

 Allowing for the large percentage of water in fresh meat, one may guess 

 that a fleece of lo lb. represents the product of food capable of producing 

 15 or 20 lb. of saleable meat. At the present time the meat would be 

 much more valuable, and the diversion of food from meat production to 

 wool production must at the present prices of wool and meat be 

 uneconomical. 



Of course, I do not suggest that we should aim at doing away with the 

 fleece altogether. If the sheep is to retain its character as an outdoor 

 animal it must be protected against the weather, but a short, close fleece 

 of, say, 2 or 3 lb. for small breeds and 4 or 5 lb. for the larger breeds would 

 be adequate for this purpose. Actually, the argument against a large, 

 long, heavy fleece is even stronger than I have stated, because it hampers 

 the movement of the animal and does not give good protection against rain. 



In days when most sheep were kept to a greater age and had long ' store ' 

 periods in which meat production was not particularly desired, the posi- 

 tion was difi^erent. Now ewes are almost the only adult animals we keep, 

 and the case is at least as strong if we consider the breeding ewe instead 

 of the fattening animal. The young lamb will give a better return for 

 extra protein and fat than the wool merchant will give for the same 

 amount of similar substances in its fleece. 



In this connection, I may refer to the fact that in many breeds, ewes 

 with heavy, strong fleeces have not the best reputation for milk production 

 and prolificacy. 



Possible Changes in Function, Management and Demand. — One of the 

 possibilities which must not be overlooked is a complete change in the 

 purpose for which the sheep is required. Is it possible that the sheep 

 which already does so much to meet the needs of man has products now 

 almost disregarded which may in time become as important as meat or 

 wool ? We may certainly look forward to improvements in feeding, not 

 only by better rationing of supplementary foods, but also by more skilful 



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