CATTLE AND BUSH SICKNESS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 115, 7 January 1926, Page 6

CATTLE AND BUSH SICKNESS.

GRAZIERS’ EXPERIMENTS.

Problem in Mamaku District.

'The serious problem of bush sickness faces the farmer and grazier in the vicinity of Mamaku. The hushsick country covers a large area comprising many thousands of acres. A peculiar feature is that it stops suddenly at certain points. Cattle on one side of the road sicken and die if left on the land ton long, while cattle on the other side thrive as well as those miles away from the affected territory. Experiments carried out by practical farmers have shown that the country grows magnificent grass and is admirably suited for fattening purposes, provided the cattle are not kept on the land too long. Experts of the Agricultural Department have explained that the so-called bush sickness is due to a deficiency in the vegetation, and have advised treatment of the affected land with suitable preparations of iron.

A se’ttler who recognised the possibilities of the bush-sick country for fattening purposes is Mr D. V. Bryant, now honorary manager for the Bryant House trustees. 'He began sending cattle there from the lower lands of the Waikato six years ago, and, although he did not make much profit for the first season or two, he learned from experience how long stock could be kept on the land without becoming ill. He found, also, that the cattle brought from North Auckland did particularly well —much better than stock reared elsewhere. When driven overland and grazed in the bush they soon recovered from their journey and put on condition. It was found that the cattle could remain at Mamaku for five months before deteriorating. They fattened well in that time, and needed only a little finishing elsewhere before being ready for the market. They could be kept at Mamaku for six and even nine months without becoming ill, but they did not improve much in condition after the five months had elapsed.

Sheep did very well it not retained at Mamaku tor more than twenty-one weeks. Poor King Country ewes not only put on condition but developed and filled out to a remarkable degree. The grazing areas of Mamaku consist of land on which heavy bush once grew and grass has been sown. Cocksfoot and clovers do wonderfully well.

An essential in grazing the land is tO 1 | keep the areas well stocked. Once the I grasses get away they deteriorate. Mr Bryant said that when the occupiers had land fairly near at hand which was not affected, to which they .could transfer their stock for some months in the year, farming could be carried on with success. The bush country could not be worked in smaller areas than 500 acres. There was a. dearth of water on many of the holdings, and cisterns were depended upon for supplies.