New Zealand grazing could help sheep

25 January 1999

New Zealand grazing could help sheep

THE Scottish sheep industry could cut costs by adopting grazing methods from New Zealand, according to Dr John Vipond, a sheep specialist with the Scottish Agriculture College.

Maximising the use of grassland is helping farmers in New Zealand fight off foreign competition, he told a meeting of the British Grassland Society.

The technique involves grazing sheep at a density of about 800 ewes per acre for one day, around 120 paddocks.

It ensures that ewes are supplied with new grass without feeding supplements.

The regime also encourages the growth of the most productive grasses.

Mr Vipond urged the adoption of a similar scheme in Britain with some modification for local conditions.

• The Scotsman 25/01/99 page 16