GOOD PROGRESS IN Tb. TESTING

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 67, 26 August 1965, Page 7

GOOD PROGRESS IN Tb. TESTING

A total of 64,249 head of dairy stock in the Putaruru Veterinary Club's area received tuberculosis testing in 1964-65, compared with 47,516 in the previous year, stated the report of the senior veterinary surgeon, Mr K. E. Gudsell, presented to the club's annual meeting at Putaruru The increase resulted from more voluntary testing being permitted in the Matamata and Waipa Counties and compulsory three-monthly testing in the Taupo County.

Compulsory testing was initiated in Taupo County in March, 1964, stated Mr Gudsell. By May 31, 1965, 86 per cent. of 117 herds in the Whakamaru and Tirohanga areas had no reactors (clear herds). This was a very satisfactory result, demonstrating that three-monthly testing rapidly reduced the incidence of T.B. reactors in a herd.

The progress of Taupo County toward being declared a "clear dairy area" would be watched with interest, as the incidence of reactors in Whakamaru and Tirohanga was 0.7 per cent., less than the one per cent. required to give a "clear area." In the Tirau, Putaruru and Tokoroa areas of the club there were 453 dairy herds, of which 66 per cent. had been voluntarily tested by May 31, 1965, said the report. With the scheduled periods of vdluntary testing in the next two or three years few herds would not be under test when compulsory testing was initiated in Waipa County (September, 1967) and Matamata County (September, 1968). Commenting on the farming year, Mr Gudsell stated that the abnormally wet spring in 1964 produced an over-abundance of metabolic troubles in beef and dairy cows, probably the highest incidence in the last ten years. There was no doubt that a low intake of magnesium was the major factor in the advent of clinical grass staggers, but there was accumulating evidence that other elements had a beneficial or antagonising effect on the levels of magnesium in pasture.