BLOAT IN OPOTIKI

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 49, 4 July 1947, Page 5

BLOAT IN OPOTIKI

STOCK LOSSES EXPERIENCED LOCAL INSTRUCTOR’S EXPERIENCE Bloat among dairy cattle in the Opotiki district is causing loss to dairy farmers besides hindering them in their ordinary routine of farm work. Wherever- there is a flush of growth with a predominance of clover, cattle must be watched for signs of the trouble. Many and varied are the means of treating affected animals and these range from chasing the cow around the paddock to sticking the animal with a knife or trocar and canula. Between the two extremes are many methods each claimed by their users as the best.

Local Mali’s Experiments

Residents of the Whakatane district are fortunate in having the services of Mr E. R. Marryatt, Fields Instructor, at their disposal. Mr Marryatt some years ago carried out experiments in grazing practices at Ruakura. He found that if paddocks were lightly grazed during the winter they came away quicker in the spring and the grass was able to compete with the clover.

Apparently Whakatane farmers are not unduly worried at present by this trouble. They are fortunate, however, in having the services of Mr Marryatt, who has a working knowledge of this trouble, should a position similar to that being experienced in Opotiki.