By Donald Clegg Sheep sheltersAll over the moors and fells of the North of England and southern Scotland, there are strange dry-stone structures, now abandoned , moss-covered and ruinous in the most part, which have intrigued visitors to this Border region for decades as they explore its magic landscape. Some of these structures are simply … Read more
Extensive glossary of technical and commonly used farming terms concerned with sheep farming, shearing and wool preparation, and preparation of sheep skins. By Dr Clive Dalton SHEEP Wool SHEEP SKINS
By Dr Clive Dalton Pregnancy scanningPregnancy scanning (at around NZ50c/ewe in New Zealand) has been a great innovation to help farmers improve the management of pregnant ewes. Scanners are now doing more small flocks if the opportunity arises between large flocks, more as a service than a money maker. The good thing is that after … Read more
Sheep, husbandry, lambing, how to measure performance, planning, making preparations, lambing percentage, scanning percentage By Dr Clive Dalton The wonder of birthLambing time is the busiest time in the sheep farming year. The wonder of birth never fades and it can compensate for some of the exhaustion and frustration regularly experienced by those responsible for lambing. … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton The Straight HuntThis is where the dog has to drive three sheep up a steep slope in as straight a line as possible. These pictures were taken at the Karioi Dog Trial grounds near Raglan in the North Island of New Zealand Picture 1: The sheep have to be driven straight up … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Early arrivals in NZ On 22 May 1773, Captain James Cook dropped off a couple of Merino sheep in Sheep’s Cove in the Marlborough Sounds. He had picked them up during his stopover at the Cape of Good Hope, and had great hopes for them in their new home. But they … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Set of sheep yards to handle 1500 sheep built at the Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station by Farm Manager Joe McLean in 1980s. They were based on the MAF Bulletin 353 Sheep are smart animals If you try to keep sheep and you don’t have decent handling facilities (pens or yards), … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton ‘Farmer Prince Charles’ and ‘Farmer King George III’ Prince Charles was once reported as saying that King George III (‘Farmer George’) was a favourite ancestor and he had done a lot of research on him. George III was famous for promoting English textile prosperity by bringing in superfine Spanish Merinos (by … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton. The story starts at Leeds This bit of Australian agricultural history has turned out to be a fascinating tale – and it’s necessary to tell it backwards! This is because it developed from my lecturing years at Leeds University Department of Agriculture, when some funny looking sheep arrived at the University … Read more