Comments on livestock losses
Perendales appeared to be the most resilient of all breeds and Merinos the worst, especially on the plains and hill.
Lambing and shearing dates were generally considered satisfactory for the type of country and no relationship with livestock losses was able to be established. However many farmers considered that shearing ewes in winter with a standard comb was a risky practice and suggested blades should be used if winter shearing on the hill and cover
Production losses
Wool weights |
Down 0.8kg |
(0.4 - 1.0 kg) |
Lambing |
Down 34% |
(23 -46%) |
Calving |
Down 16% |
(7 -21%) |
Fawning |
Down 21 % |
(0-51%) |
Wool quality
Approximately 50% of farmers reported an adverse effect of snow on wool quality including poorer colour, more cotting, increased breaks and vegetable matter together with higher yields. Sheep were also more difficult to shear. Wool shorn soon after the snows (Sept/Oct) was less affected. Wool shorn in summer was worst.
General health
Production was affected for up to 12 months with poor lamb growth rates, reduced ewe live weights, more dry ewes and cows, increased parasitism and general ill-thrift including mineral deficiencies.
Transport
Helicopters really proved their worth in locating livestock and transporting snowrakers, especially on Banks Peninsula and the high country. Over 90% intend to use them in future snows. Dozers also proved invaluable, larger machines being more effective in the deeper drifts. Two-wheel drive vehicles were generally unsatisfactory.
Shelter
Most farmers considered that planted shelter was effective in reducing livestock losses, although there was variation on what constituted good shelter. While most conceded that gorse hedges, mature or open pines trees afforded little protection and that manuka flattened on top of sheep there was more division on the effectiveness of native bush and natural shelter. It appeared that the ideal planted shelter needs to be over 15m but recommendations as to the species, permeability, trimming status and number of rows was less clear. Plantations proved useful as did covered yards/haybarns, especially for shorn sheep.
Supplements
The use of hay almost doubled (1.7 fold) during the snow year (silage 1.3, grain 1.2, and sheepnuts four fold).
Conventional small hay bales were by far the most popular for reasons of transportability. ease of feeding and low wastage, but became a problem near lambing, especially if quality was poor. Problems with getting sheep to eat hay
highlighted the need to condition them to it. Banks Peninsula was a good example. Similarly with grain, where deaths were caused by too sudden changes. The need for a high quality feed near lambing (eg silage) was stressed, although some farmers found silage difficult to feed out in the snow. Grain and nuts suffered from waste due to trampling and turnips were often inaccessible.
Choumollier or kale were a preferred alternative in this situation.
Contact for Enquiries
North Island
Phil Journeaux
Manager
North Island Regions
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 7 957 8314
Fax: +64 7 957 8315
South Island
John Greer
Regional Team Leader
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 3 943 1703
Fax: +64 3 943 1757
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