DISEASE EPIDEMIC

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20498, 14 May 1938, Page 6

DISEASE EPIDEMIC

INCIDENCE OF ECZEMA COMMITTEE’B BTATEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS MADE After fully reviewing the position in regard to facial eczema in the South Auckland district, Messrs F. Hayward, F. H. Anderson and Dr. H. E. Annett, the executive appointed by the farmers’ committee, have the following statement to make:— The committee has the assurance of the Department of Agriculture that, with the assistance of officers of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, they are pursuing an intensive investigation into the disease and that the work will be continuous and ample funds made available for It. There is evidence so far as 6heep are concerned that the precautionary measures advised by the Morrinsville sheep farmers committee in regard to withholding the fresh paddocks from the sheep and feeding hay have had definite results. The weather conditions during the past month have resulted in such an abnormal growth of the pastures that it has been difficult to advise how to stock them. However, now that there seems some definite evidence that the disease Is abating throughout the district, the committee realise that the stage has been reached when some definite action mutt be taken to endeavour to secure an Improvement In the health of the sheep and their building up before lambing time. Advloe to Farmer They have accordingly the following advice to offer in regard to stocking the pastures which have been closed up for some time. The most matured pastures should be commenced .with and the sheep pastured on them for short periods each day, starting off with an hour or so in the meantime and increasing the rationing period gradually. Pastures which arc showing a short luscious growth should be reserved for stocking later in the season. The committee has observed that some sheep-farmers have stocked pastures sown down in February and March of this year with apparently no detrimental effects, and, while offering no definite advice, they recommend that these pastures should be rationed to the sheep as part of the general programme. Affected sheep should be carefully rationed on the pastures with a supplementary diet of bran, crushed oats and moose nuts made available to them during the winter monthsNo Fresh Outbreaks Among Herd* So far as dairy cattle are concerned, it would appear that there are no fresh outbreaks being reported, and that the best advice that can be given to dairy farmers is to now endeavour to build up their affected cattle, so that they can be profitably farmed next season. Careful attention to these cattle now should have Its reward in the spring and it is recommended that they be given a supplementary diet of hay, ensilage or roots in addition to judicious grazing. The committee realises the extensive losses incurred in the outbreak and trusts that the investigation will lead to preventative measures being adopted in future seasons.