Shelter benefits for lamb survival in southern New Zealand. I. Postal survey of farmers' opinion

Four hundred West Otago and South-land farmers were sent a questionnaire on shelter for lambing, and 137 responded. They estimated exposure losses at 6-10% and considered shelter very important to lamb growth. Eighty-two perc ent intended to plant shelter. Ewes with lambs less than 3 days old were mo re likely to seek shelter than ewes with older lambs, and pre-lamb shearing increased sheltering. Young lambs had highly variable sheltering behaviour . Ewes (especially if shorn) sought lambing sites with shelter or large obj ects. Farmers rated wool lamb covers more highly than plastic covers for ef fects on survival and growth, ewe acceptance, and cost-effectiveness. For v egetative shelter, trees or flax on windward and leeward sides, or around i nside edges of paddocks, were best. Common genera used were Eucalyptus, Pin us, Phormium, Populus, and Cupressus. Phormium and Populus were most easily established and Pinus and Phormium were most effective. Hay bales, sheds, and materials covering fencelines were also used.