FARMING PROBLEMS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 169, 4 August 1937, Page 13

FARMING PROBLEMS

Lambing and Calving Troubles ADDRESS TO FARMERS } Yaluable instructions as to steps fco be taken in connection with lambing and calving troubles was given by Mr, A, D. N. G. LaAng, M.R.C.V.S., Government veteriuarian for Hawke 's Bay, in an address to membera of the Dannevirke braneh of the Farmers* Union. Dealing firstly with sleeping sickness of ewes, Mr. Laing traversed the dis- • ea.ses to which ewes, lambs, cows and calves were subject at breeding time and he .described in detail methods of cure and prevention. At pne time, he said it was thought that sleeping sickness was due to a too rich diet. This eontention was now known to be dellnitely wrong, the very reverse being the case. The cause of the disease was that insufiicient nourishmeat was obtaineq from the grazing and the ewe consequently stafted to live on its own fat. This resulted, in a condition of the liver known as fatty degeneration. If observed when ehowing the earliest » syrnptoms — .uncertain gaif— there . waa every chance of the trouble being overcopie if the ewe was put pn to green barlsy or other succulent feed. Where there was any loss pf condition in the ewe flock, and. a likelihood of sleeping sickness appearing, it was advisablp to use any succulent fee.d available during the succeeding weeke, in order . ,'to reduce the loss as much as possible. Cows, explained Mr. Laing, could also suffer from a paralysis, both.shortly before and after calving. The syrnptoms were similar, starting with weakness of the posterior part of ^ the body. Treatment qonsistod of nursing, beddmg and turning over to prevent bedsores and fhe use o£ a linament on the back. Hot applications of mustard plaster were also h'elpf ul. Where spring calving and lambing were customary, a far more satisfactory milk supply could be obtained if the ewe or cow was in condition the birth. If they were in bad condition, results would be poorer, no matter how much feed was supplied subsequently. Continuiag, Mr. Laing dealt with the commonly-bccurring beariug - trouble in ewes, which was thought to be due to a large intake of bnlky food, such as pasture graias, in a good season at the present time of the year. Prevention was by the provision of hay aud other nntritious foods of comparatively small bulk, and regular daily exercise by driving. Common troubles in calving and lambing— retained membranes, milk fever, lambing sickness arthritis, white scour apd kidney disease — were dealt with by the ppeaker and the methods of treatment prescribed. . -