STOCK DISEASES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 9 August 1937, Page 12

STOCK DISEASES.

HEAVY MORTALITY RATE. WAIKATO FARMERS CONCERNED. HAMILTON, Aug. 7. The prevalence’ of diseaso among the dairy herds of tho Waikato this season, although not considered to be more acuto than usual, is giving rise to some concern among dairymen. Many cows have been affected by grass staggers, a diseaso which usually becomes noticeable from a week to 10 days after calving. This year howovor, tho trouble has been manifested within a day or two of calving, and the loss of the cow and.its calf invariably follows. Milk fever lias been in evidence to a considerable extent this year, and lias been responsible for a good deal of mortality among dairy stock. Mamniitis is also very prevalent among cows that have not been treated. Tho proprietor of one boiling-down works in the Waikato recoived no fewer than 116 dead cows last month, an unusual number for so early in tho season. The causes of death were varied, some of tho animals falling, into drains and othors dying from other diseases apart from gross staggers and milk fover. The calving season has not yet reached its peak, and already reports of numerous deaths have been received. It is estimated that the annual wastage of dairy stock in tho Waikato ranges from 15 to 20 por cent., and that disease accounts for the loss of from 40,000 to 50,000 cows every year. Tho Government veterinary surgeons arc kept very busy in advising farmers ns to the best remedial measures to adopt in treating affected cows.