HERD CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 193, 31 July 1940, Page 5

HERD CONTROL

«. DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF MAMMITIS DAIRY COMPANY'S CIRCULAR Tli2 following circular distributued to suppliers of the Rangitaiki Plains Dafry Company outlines the methods adopted in the detection, curing and prevention of mammitis in dairy herds. The information, is passed on in the Rope that suppliers will appreciate the services available and that they will make use of those services. j Compiled by Mr Alex. Thomson, iM.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Surgeon, and Mr F. S- Hodson, Bacteriologist to the company, it reads:— The main function of the Laboratory in connection with mammitisi is to assist in keeping the herds free from the disease. It has been our unfortunate experience that some owners of herds that have cleared up under the control have dropped it for a period and then later had, to call on the Laboratory to assist in clearing up a fresh outbreak which might have been avoided or discovered before it attained serious proportions. As there is still no practical sure cure for acute cases 1 of mammitis the only assistance that can be given is to endeavour to stop the spread. The actual cost of the control for a season for a herd of £|) cows is only £6, equivalent to setting aside half the production of one good cow. This can also be looked on as an insurance. The Value of Control. Each season has demonstrated the value of mammitis herd control. The symptoms of fully developed cdses are well known to farmers but it is not generally understood that many apparently normal cows secrete the mammitis organism in their milk and can be detected only by Laboratory methods. These "carrier" cows may be a source of infection to other cows and yet may be the best of producers. Once .detected and proper precautions taken it does not follow that they must be culled. Spread of infection usually takes place by the hands of milkers or jby milking machines. It is these undetected "carrier" cows that are the great danger, as 'where a definite case is evident the farmer himself usually takes special care either to not use the cups and milk by hand, or if the cups have been put on, to sterilise them afterwards. The herd control has another advantage in indicating where mammitis may be cf the irritational type and not contagious but if exposed to infection it may easily develop iijto the contagious type. The irritational type is usually due to machine troubles —too high a vacuum, leaving the cups on too long or removing them too soon followed by careless stripping. This type is often termed "machinitis" and is suspected when the chart shows increased number of cows classified "B." Vaccine Treatment. If mammitis appears to be of the "maohinitis" type the use of vaccine is not recommended for ' although vaccine might give some immunity against slight infection the thing to do is to remove the cause. In delaying with the contagious type the most satisfactory method appears to be the innoculation of the whole herd with two doses of vaccine while drying off followed by a dose of vaccine immediately after calving. Affected cases should be followed up by further doses. If used on cases during the season large doses will be necessary. Sterile bottles are provided and bad milk only should be put in them Wash teat carefully before taking sample and do not expose open botw tie longer than necessary to avoid contamination. It is preferred to make up vaccine from each herd plus a certain proportion of stock vaccine. Early application is necesn sary a? large supplies of stock vaccine are not kept in order to liavb only fresh vaccine used if possible.; Herd Control Samples. Sample bottles arc provided and sent out and returned on the creajni lorries. The number of the cow i's written on the frosted part (not on the lids) and after discarding the first squirt from each teat, Several squirts from each are placed in the ' bottle. If one quarter is . obviously 1 giving bad milk it can either be sent in a separate bottle or left out but in this case, after the number of the cow % should be written or if only 1 two quarters sent "%•" Samples are , taken monthly or oftener if needed. On the charts the results are J grouped "A" or normal cows "U"'

doubtful or unable to classify, "Br* mild or irritational mammitis "G" acute, chronic or contagious mammitis. Milk A and U cows first, th.isn B and C cows. If there are many 'of these it is advisable to divide the herd into two. In some cases it may be advisable to milk the C cows by hand. Cups should be .washed and immersed in a chlorine solution or Condy's remembering that unless the Condy's solution remains pink it is not only useless but dangerous. Cloril or H T H may be used for washing hands and teats and for dipping cups (do not use too strong) but do not use in hot water or put through the machines. At present the Veterinary Department has a suitable chlorine preparation that can be used in hot water and put through machines but there is no guarantee of future supplies. Vaccine, treatment without herd control is not recommended, but herd control is available to any herd using vaccine, no matter where the vaccine is procured. Charges for Herd Control & Vaccinae S tests of each cow in the herd during the season 1/6 per cow. 8 tests with air necessary vaccine per season 2/3 per cow. Vaccine alone for the season 1/6 per cow. These apply to whole herd policy: Autogenous vaccine £1 for 2 bot'w ties. Stock vaccine 15/- per bottle or 2 bottles for £1. Keeping stock in healthy condition is of the utmost importance and by calling on the services or advice of the Veterinary Surgeon and a monthly check of the herd] by the Laboratory, a supplier should have no cause to fear an outbreak or .serious mammitis losses, provided there is also co-operation from the shed staff. - "Milk with the lowest possible vacuum and have your guagei tested periodically at the Laboratory, free of charge," should be the golden rule.

of any overdue registration fees from the wages payable "to employees. The quarterly instalment registration fee coupon books at present on issue to male persons expire witlv the August 1940 instalment. New books covering subsequent instalments are to be issued when payment of the August instalment is made. Persons who have paid in advance are required to obtain a new book in accordance with the procedure outlined. Tlie liability with regard to the Registration Fee has not been affected by the National Security lax provisions;.