Morton Mains Disease In Sheep Flocks

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 17, 21 January 1937, Page 3

Morton Mains Disease In Sheep Flocks

EXPERIMENTS IN SOUTHLAND INVERCARGILL, Jan. 18. Although the value of cobalt as a counter to what has become known as Morton Alains disease in lambs —a wasting away at a certain period, starting usually after the middle of December—has been proved, tho Cawthron Institute, which has been directing experiments during the last six years, has not yet established tho best means of applying the mineral. The practice has been to apply it by means of frequent injections, which requires too much labour to bo practicable uuder ordinary conditions, and this season's work has been directed towards a solution of this problem.

Tho cobalt was introduced to the ewes by means of a salt lick put out in winter, but the results have shown that this is not likely to be successful treatment. The experiment was started by dividing a flock of 200 ewes into two groups during the- winter, one being given a salt lick containing cobalt and the other pure salt. In the spring these groups were again halved. Figures which have just been made available show the following result: Control group, which received no cobalt treatment, 45 per cent of gain in average weight; no cobalt before birth but cobalt alter, 70.6 per cent, of gain; cobalt before birth but none after, 59.9 per cent, of gain; cobalt before and after birth, 82 per cent, of gain.

The calculations were made from the weights taken from November il, 1936, to January 5, 1937, and these would indicate that the application of cobalt before birth is not of any great value. The experiments are being carried further, and a start was made this season with cobalt topdressing. A plot was treated about the beginning of November, but so far the results have not been tested. It has been found from analysis that grasses assimilate the mineral readily, clover taking it to a degree of 35 per cent, although it is turned yellow by too heavy an application. The most striking feature of the tests since they were started is the consistency of the returns. They have shown remarkably similar effects on sick lambs, and proved beyond all'doubt the beneficial effect of cobalt. Although this wasting disease is generally known as Morton Alains disease, it is by no means peculiar to that district, being, found in different parts of Southland and being similar to the “bush sickness" of the North Island. The reason for the appellation “Morton Mains" is that it was there that the research and jiractice trials to find a counter were begun.