LOSS OF STOCK
WASTAGE ON THE PLAINS BALANCED DIETS URGED ADDRESS BY DR. SIEGEL The question of stock wastage on the Hauraki Plains was dealt with by Dr. N. Siegel of the Ngatea Veterinary Club in an interesting lecture delivered at Ngatea recently. Dr. Siegel emphasised throughout the course of his address that it was the aim of every veterinary surgeon to maintain the health of the stock rather than cure and so prevent the high wastage of stock which occurred at present.
In his opening remarks the speaker emphasised the importance of educating the farmer in management and. feeding of stock with the view to preventing diseases. He said he considers it the duty of the veterinary surgeon of to-day to be prepared to disseminate this knowledge.
Experience in recent years has shown, continued the speaker, that the stock owner educated up to his responsibilities realises what veterinary science has to offer him and this fact was mainly responsible for the support given to-day by the farming community to the various veterinary organisations. Reason for Wastage Dealing with herd wastage in this area and practical measures of prevention, the speaker said he considered the following diseases chiefly responsible for it. (a) Nutritional disorders, i.e., disturbances due to the deficiency of various single ingredients in the diet or many ingredients which amount simply to 1 underfeeding or unbalanced feeding. (b) Premature calving and sterility. (c) Udder troubles. »(d) Tuberculosis. The main single ingredients 1 lacking injthe winter diet of many herds was mostly calcium, phosphorous, suger and in certain parts of the district copper. Calcium and phosphorous deficiency are directly responsible for the many broken bones in cows. The two minerals were known to be deficient in the poor quality hay which is the main balancer in the winter diet of stock in this area.
A deficiency in calcium should not be confused with milk fever which is a disturbance of calcium metabolism. A lack of calcium in the blood at calving time due to a deficiency of that element in the diet might eventually be followed by a milk fever condition. Prevention was merely a matter of correct feeding and the use of a reliable .mineral supplement containing a suitable calcium preparation. Milk Fever Milk fever and the various aspects of this very common complaint has been discussed at length and imporant practical measures of prevention and cure under various local conditions and circumstances suggested. The next common disease in the aret was acidosis or antenoemia which means accumulation of acids in the blood. Experience has -shown that this complaint is' prevalent in cold, wet weather in herds improperly fed for a considerable length of time. The cow which develops acidosis is the -one which is producing milk at the expense of her body reserve of fat, as a result of underfeeding. In such a case the cow suffers from effects of sugar deficiency and complications such as milk fever, staggers, indigestion etc., are very common. Feeding out of high quality hay with plenty of molasses and a free access to a complete mineral mixture will prevent and also cure simple cases of acidosis. Premature Calving and Sterility Two forms of premature calving are encountered in the district, the_jcontagious and non-contagious forms. Only a blood test will reveal the true incidence of both forms. From the speaker’s experience many cows which slip were in poor condition due to prolonged feeding of low quality hay and/or- ill-preserved ensilage. The incidence was also sometimes connected with a sudden change of diet. The same cause were also responsible for retention of the after-birth. This condition is in many instances due to a lack of physical fitness in the animal. The provision of a stimulating and balanced diet would reduce considerably the incidence of the disease.
The problem of sterility was also discussed. Except a low percentage of infertility due to diseases most infertility was due to underfeeding and unbalanced feeding in the winter months and improper management
during the mating season. Parasitic
infestation in their calfhood and immaturity at mating time were responsible for the trouble in maiden heifers. In cows the trouble was connected with the immature nature of pasture during the mating time. Mature pastures seem to favour conception. Prevention of Mammitis The subject of practical measures of prevention of mammitis was also discussed. Experience had' shown that the incidence of mammitis was the highest in the winter months when the general condition of the cow was at its lowest. A sudden change of diet to a pasture of 'growing immature nature caused digestive disorders and mammitis. Hygiene in Sheds Hood hygienic conditions in the shed, reliable milkers, proper performance of the milking machine as well as feeding out good quality hay and ensilage as balancers until the pastures become mature and the stock accustomed to it with access to a mineral mixture would help in the prevention of udder troubles. Many 'other diseases were discussed and questions answered. The problem of contagious abortion was also raised, Dr. Siegel explaining that the Government was already investigating this question and he urged farmers to give the investigating officers the fullest possible assistance. It was expected to have results to report in the coming season. The problem of tuberculosis is rather serious in this area. Climate, nutrition, heredity, are only predisposing causes. The passage of living tubercle bacilli from a tuberculous to a non-tuberculous animal or person, is the real source of infection. This area is rather suitable for the spread of infection, through our system of water troughs, into which water enters and is not removed except by drinking. The salivary droppings of one of the members of a herd with an open lung lesion, is a danger to a whole herd. Milk from a tuberculous cow is very, often infected. The bovine type of T.B. with the exception of the human type is the only form of any importance in man where it causes tuberculosis of the joints and lymph glands of children fed on infected non-boiled cow’s milk. Serious consideration should be given to the problem in post-war reconstruction.
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Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3293, 28 July 1943, Page 3
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1,020LOSS OF STOCK Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3293, 28 July 1943, Page 3
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