SPAYING COWS.

Matamata Record, Volume VI, Issue 493, 29 November 1923, Page 3

SPAYING COWS.

PROS ANI) CONS. Discussion at Farmers’ Union. Following up a discussion at last meeting of the Matamata branch ot the Farmers’ Union, when it was decided to write to the Government officials as well as lo other branches with regard to satisfactory methods of spaying cows, a memo was read at Saturday night’s meeting of the .branch from the Stock Department, Hamilton, to the effect that its inspector had witnessed the practice ot a certain firm producing good results and that the firms operations were competent. . ~ A communication was further received from the secretary of the Morrinsville branch stating that a meeting concerning the matter had been held by it some few weeks ago. At such meeting it had been decided to set up a committee to collect the names of farmers desiring to have their cows operated on, such committee to make any preliminary arrangements necessary for the work. At that meeting it was decided to allow /the operator 2s Gd per cow for his services, with a minimum of a J air idav’s pay. An operator attended the (meeting and explained the process, exhibiting the instrument used, the writer expressed the opinion that it was a very simple operation to one who was experienced, and that there seemed to be very little risk or loss. It was further pointed out that inferior cows and indifferent heifers could be spayed and they would then realise possibly £2 a pice more at the sale because the buyer could rely on Vine able to -keep them until finisne<l or the market suited.” Cull cows could be operated on when m call, and, though they would of course slip, they would nevertheless milk longer and better when spayed than otherwise, thus giving better producing and selling results for that seamen The whole matter was of great, importance, and a suggestion was put forward that, as a protection to buyws, spayed stock should be branded. The Morrinsville branch was doing •ill it could to rouse interest in the question and further developments would be reported in due course. The chairman said an offer had been received from the firm referred io in the correspondence to the effect 'hat it would spay cows in the Matamata district for a fee of 2s Gd per head, provided a guaranteed minimum of fifty cattle were forthcoming. A. stipulation was also made by the fiim that each farmer should arrange for the conveyance of the operator to the farm. The chairman further stated that the firm was well recommended, and that it claimed to have treated 1200 cows with only 3 deaths. Mr. Du#field said that sometimes the cows operated on were hurt fcvciIV,1 V , and that domestic cows were more likely to suffer than those running with the herd. The chairman: Of course, there is a certain amount of risk of that. Mr. Simpson thought that it was too late in the present season to take any action now. Cows should .be operated pn about October, between the times of calving and re-impregna-tion. The risk of blood-poisoning was too great once -cows- were in calf. ' ‘Mr: E. Bowler said he had had a number cf cows treated without loss, one had been, sick ,for...g Wards—that was alb * Mr. Simpson: Were your cows empty. ■ Mr. Bowler said he thought .so.. Mr. Simpson: That makes all the difference. The risk is when the cows are in calf. • 1 ~ ~ . A motion was passed to the elrect that a leltei; be sent to the secretary of the Morrinsville branch informing him that the Matamata branch hart abandoned the project for this season and asking him to communicate the experiences of members of his bianch a; a guide to operations next year.