Story: Sheep farming

This Merino lamb is about to have its tail removed. This is often done with rubber rings or a tailing iron, but this farmer is using a knife. Lambs’ tails are removed to stop dags and stained wool building up, which would make them prone to fly strike (flies laying their eggs on a living animal). Also, sheep with tails take longer to crutch and shear.

The sheep farming year

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Using a swim dip, 1906

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