Management practices and productive performance on hill country sheep farms

W.J. Parker and R.J. Townsley

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Massey University

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1986, 46: 133-138

A survey of 30 Wairarapa hill country farmers during 1983 investigated how management practices influenced sheep performance. Lamb growth rates between birth and weaning which ranged from 153 to 300 g/d, were most affected by lambing date and the use of N fertiliser. Pasture cover/SU at lambing was more often a limitation to high lamb growth rates on early lambing farms, but even on later lambing properties insufficient feed at lambing was common. Pasture cover/SU at lambing was most affected by ewe winter rotation length, the use of N fertiliser, stocking rate and stock policies which enabled winter stocking rates to be progressively reduced.

Weighing of sheep was associated with the attainment of higher autumn live weights. A high proportion of farmers weighted (63%), but their knowledge of acceptable live weights was poor.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Management; hill country; survey; sheep performance; weighing

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Last Updated 18-03-1997