SHEEP-MANAGEMENT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 60, 4 December 1920, Page 12

SHEEP-MANAGEMENT

SHIRRING PRECAUTIONS.

The annual loss of sheep from bloodpoisoning at shearing time is yearly increasing, says Mr. l f . Mackenzie, Inspector of Stock, Christchurch, writing in the "Journal" of the Department/ of Agriculture, and preventive measures should have the serious attention of sheep-farmers, Unfortunately, a number of owners still persist in making use of the shearing-shea as a storehouse for all sorts of material—from dead skins to old and dirty sacks; and as most shearing-sheds stand on piles, sometimes 3ft. or 4ft. high, the space underneath the shed' is often utilised for all manner of purposes. Tho writer recently visited a property where the fowls were actually netted in under a. portion of tho shed, and a few yards further away it served as a dog-kennel. It is therefore little wonder that heavy losses occur from infection at shearing. ,* ; The first consideration is nbsolutfe cleanliness of the shearing-board and counting-out pens. The floor njid walla of the shearing-board should bo thoroughly scrubbed with a disinfectant before and immediately after shearing. Tho counti.ng-out pons should be swept .clean and liberally sprayed with disinfew'nnt, a.nd afterwards a small quantity of unslaked 1 lime spread on the pens. The shearers' water-pots for cooling shears or machines are a likely source of infection. They should be cleansed with disinfectant, and when refilled with water a small quantity of .kerosene should bo ndded. The reason for this is iliat tho kerosene floats on the surface, so that every time the shears nre withdrawn a coating of kerosene adheres to tho shears and acts as a very good disinfectant. Some years ago 1 investigate ed a mortality from blood-poisoning on a. largo back-country station, and tho trouble was undoubtedly traced to the shearers' water-pots, for, afibr treatment as described the mortality immediately stopped. !

By far the most common cause of bloodjpoisoning is the entrance of germs through small wounds—wounds which are very oft'on unnoticed by tho shenrer. As soon as these smnll wounds are covered over witlh scurf or matted . wool the germs of blood-poisoning immediately become active. A 6harp lookout should be kept, and no matter how small the wound each should be dressed with Stockholm or Archangel tar, which should' bo kept handy in a receptacle for the purpose. All excreta are hotbeds of..bacteria. especially from such nnininls as ipigs, fowls, or dogs, and tlho quartering of such animals in or near a shearingshed should be carefully avoided. Tho excreta when dry are blown about by tho wind, and often deposited 1 in tho counting-out pens and oven on to the shearing-board, or on to the fresh wounds while the sheep are held for counting and branding.

The gas teceipts for the Borough of Carterton for November were JC3O6 18s. 9d., compared with .£257 6s. 3d. for tho same period last year. The receipts up to November total JJ2+BO 13s. 4il„ as ajwinst .£2057 7s. 3d. for tho corresponding period Inst year. Tlio expenditure was .£2481 Gs. Id., as against X 2333 lis. •Id., the incrcaso covering the increased cost of coal.