New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Shelter benefits for lamb survival in southern New Zealand.
I. Postal survey of farmers' opinion
J. C. POLLARD
AgResearch
Invermay Agricultural Centre
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel, New Zealand
Abstract Four hundred West Otago and Southland farmers were
sent a questionnaire on shelter for lambing, and 137 responded. They estimated
exposure losses at 6-10% and considered shelter very important to lamb growth.
Eighty-two percent intended to plant shelter. Ewes with lambs less than 3 days
old were more likely to seek shelter than ewes with older lambs, and pre-lamb
shearing increased sheltering. Young lambs had highly variable sheltering
behaviour. Ewes (especially if shorn) sought lambing sites with shelter or
large objects. Farmers rated wool lamb covers more highly than plastic covers
for effects on survival and growth, ewe acceptance, and cost-effectiveness. For
vegetative shelter, trees or flax on windward and leeward sides, or around
inside edges of paddocks, were best. Common genera used were
Eucalyptus, Pinus, Phormium, Populus, and
Cupressus. Phormium and Populus were most easily
established and Pinus and Phormium were most effective. Hay
bales, sheds, and materials covering fencelines were also used.
Keywords New Zealand; lambing; productivity; sheep; shelter;
behaviour; survey
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1999, Vol. 42: 165-170
0028-8233/99/4202-0165 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
1999
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (440K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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