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Yup, have to agree with you, Bonniegirl - we had two shocking seasons with these sheep - out of about 20 ewes, we had (over the 2 seasons) 5 bearings, about 6 or 7 just dropping dead for the hell of it.... I know they don't really, but sometimes you wonder... These sheep were left for us by the previous owner, many times I've wondered if he just left his dud ones for us.

Hoping that by starting fresh, we'll have better luck. Interesting to hear what others think of these two breeds, I still lean towards Wiltshires.

Oh, and Paddy - our climate is mild enough here not to have to feed out in winter (or summer, so far!)

Dropping dead suddenly, well i had a few of those and 2 things we found out.

One time it was caused by grass tetnea ( cant spell ) this if i remember right is caused from lack of right minerals in the grass which is why a mineral bucket has to be there all year round as YOUR grass may be lacking in many or maybe one important minerals.

2nd time ( and this is really important now )

We had a vet out who took the brains of the dead sheep away as a few had gone down and died and it was discovered that the sheep died from " Louping ill " which is a disease cause by a Tick which was carrying the disease.

I read somewhere later that scientists have now found out that ?Humans can also be affected by this disease if bitten by the Tick and it will cause a similar brain disease but i dont know if it will be fatal in Humans.

Also were the sheep that died regually dosed for Fluke and worms?????

Gidday

Is that why some Irish are a bit different Paddy?

Sorry about that but that's something we don't have down here and I have never heard of.

Jack wrote:Gidday

Is that why some Irish are a bit different Paddy?

Sorry about that but that's something we don't have down here and I have never heard of.

Yeah your right Jack just checked and it's a European Tick disease and NZ Ticks dont carry it.

You must have mineral problems though i will check on that in case you call it by some other name.

2 i found were Pining and Bush disease.

Dont know if they are the same as i was on about but sure that Jack will know what i am on about.

its amazing all the diseases sheep can get..... bless their little cloved hooves......

Gidday

We, like everyone else has heaps of diseases caused by mineral deficiency. And by we I mean peoples too.

Jack do you think that the lack of certain minerals has anything to do with the seemingly high incidences of cancer's in NZ

Gidday

Abso-bloody-lutely. Mainly selenium and zinc. Most of our zinc is suppressed by the poison that is thrown around here called super phosphate.

Is there not much of an Organic farming movement in NZ Jack???? Or is it just farmers forcing grass to get as much lamb off the land as possible.???

Gidday

Paddy, there is an organic movement but not as great as it could be. And yes, the banks are running most farms through their finance and as they also are on the side of the chemical companies farmers have to force as much dollars outa the land as they can.

Hi Paddy, As Jack said, organics in NZ could be bigger. Here is a site that you could look at.
www.organicdirect.co.nz