CONTAGIOUS ABORTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 63, 16 December 1946, Page 8

CONTAGIOUS ABORTION

USE OF VACCINATION ' ADVICE TO FARMERS The following article concerning the vaccination of calves against contagious abortion has come to this paper through the local office of the Whakatqpe Stock Inspectorate, and should be of interest to farmers:— The campaign for control of contagious abortion by calf vaccination was commenced in 1943. The numbers of calves vaccinated has increased steadily from year to year as shown by the following figures: 1943—18,000; 1944—40,000; 1945 110,000; 1946—160,000, or approximately 50 per cent, of the dairy heifers in the Dominion. The results have been consistantly good. The 1945 calving returns from 1,266 herds show that there were 2.6 per cent, of abortions from all causes in 16,075 two year old heifers which have been vaccinated as calves, whereas in the previous year there had been 22.3 per cent., of abortions in 17,098 unvaccinated heifers in the same herds. Results were also available in 1945 for 6,537 second ..pregnancies in heifers vaccinated as calves. In these three year old heifers only, 2.8 per cent, of abortions occurred. It therefore appears that the immunity from calf vaccination lasts through at least two pregnancies. '

So far vaccination has been provided free, but as the work has now

passed the experimental stage, the Government feels that it is only reasonable to make a charge to cover., cost of vaccine and the travelling involved. In consultation with the New Zealand Dairy Board and the Dominion Federation of Farmers’ Veterinary Services, the following scale of charges which will apply to all vaccinations carried out after the first of January, 1947, have been fixed: Hehds with 14 calves or less 1/6 per calf, herds with more than .14 calves 1/6 per head for the first 14 calves and 1/3 per head thereafter.

In order, to simplify the procedure as far as possible it has been decided that dairy farmers may now make applications in their own districts. Members ■of Veterinary Clubs should apply to the Secretary of their Clubs, all others should apply to the nearest Inspector of Stock. An exception to this procedure may be made in some districts where Club Veterinarians and Inspectors of Stock agree to divide the districts into blocks to save travelling. In such cases farmers will be advised in the local press concerning the office to which applications should be sent. All applications to Inspectors of Stock must be accompanied by a cash payment calculated on the above basis. Veterinary Clubs will make their own arrangements fofc the'collection of fees.

All applications must be sent in by the 31st December. This is most important. In the past much unnecessary travelling has been caused by late applications. Vaccinating officers have planned their itineraries to cover the district in the most efficient way possible. Then, after calves of all early applicants have been vaccinated it has been necessary, to cover the area again, sometimes several- times, for the sake of a few late applicants. Shortage of staff and transport makes this most undesirable. Next year it may be . impossible to vaccinate calves for which applications are not received before 31st December and they will in any cdse only be done at the convenience of the Vaccinating Officer after all other work has been completed. As most heifers kept are, born before the end of October there should be no excuse for late applications.' So for your own sake please apply as soon as you know how many heifers you intend to keep. Although the experimental stage is now passed insofar as immunity during first and second pregnancies is concerned it is important that accurate information should be obtained concerning the length of immunity. All farmers are,, therefore, requested to fill in the full details concerning abortions, etc. which are asked for on the back of the application forms. New forms have been provided this year and these may be obtained from Veterinary Clubs or departmental offices. All applications must be made on the new forms.

Farmers can materially assist the Vaccinating Officers in this work by providing reasonable facilities. Please consult your Veterinarian or Inspector of Stock concerning the best method of handling the calves and do not expect him to work in a muddy paddock or without any bails or races or any assistance in catching and holding the calves. Where possible, especially in small herds, arrange for calves belonging to several farmers to be brought together in one place.

Remember: (1) New application forms are being used and these are now available at the office of your Veterinary "Club or that of the Inspector of Stock. (2) Cash must accompany applications to Inspectors of Stock. (3) Fill in applications carefully and forward them early either to the Secretary of your Veterinary Club or to the district Inspector of Stock. They must be in before December 31.