CATTLE DISEASE IN NAPIER.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1854, 31 January 1880, Page 3

CATTLE DISEASE IN NAPIER.

With respect to the alleged mortality among the cattle on certain runs in Napier, the “Te'egraph ” reports :—“ Mr Pierce Power, chief inspector of sheep for the Hawke’s Bay district, made a tour round the Meanee and Taradale farms for the purpose of r* porting to the Government upon the mortality amougst the cattle that has recently occurred. After inspecting several herds, Mr Power has come to the conclusion that the cause of death is apoplexy, and he recommends a constant shifting of the cattle so as to secure a charge of pasture. The curious thing is that the cattle affected by the disease are in poor contiou, with staring coats, and running eyes, altogether appearing in ill health. These are not the symptoms ordinarily observed in apoplectic subjects, yet theiecan be no doubt from the blood in the brain that the im mediate cause of death is apoplexy. Mr Bowes, who owns some forty head of dairy cattle, and milks about thirty cows daily, has suffered no loss from the disease, but he has made it a practice to constantly change the pasture of his herd, and therefore Mr Power’s recommendation would appear to be the proper remedy. If with change of pasture a liberal supply of rock salt is placed in the paddocks, no doubt, as Mr Power suggests as a precautionary measure against sickr in stock of all kinds, still greater benefits will be derived. Probably it will be found on further investigation that the primary cause of the mortality is neglect of the cattle during winter, and it cannot be too strongly impressed on the minda of stockowners that, in order to keep their flocks and herds in good health throughout the yen:, there must be an equality of quantity and quality of feed available at all seasons. If a beast through the want of sufficient food in winter falls off in condition, it is a sure indication et illtreatment, and is certain to produce a bad effect on its constitution, and this once im paired the chances are the abundance of natural feed in spring and summer will only aggravate the evil.