H.—29.

LIVE-STOCK DIVISION. REPORT OF J. LYONS. M.R.C.V.S., DIRECTOR. Pastures, Crops, and Stock Conditions. As a result of the abnormally wet weather which prevailed during the early part of the season in the North Island particularly, a plentiful growth of quick-growing feed resulted. These conditions, while favourable to the milk-yield, were all against the fat-lamb trade, and many lambs in the early part of the season arrived at the works in a condition not as prime as in normal seasons, and consequently suffered in grade. In the South Island the climatic conditions were unfavourable to the growth of young lambs to such an extent that their arrival at the works was three to four weeks later than in previous seasons. Later on, however, better conditions prevailed, and the indications were that the seasonal killings would be up to the average both as regards numbers and quality. Dairy cows came through the winter well on the whole, although in some districts a cold wet spell in the spring checked the milk-yield for a time. Conditions were afterwards favourable, and the individual yield will be maintained. The season was in many parts all against saving hay crops, and it is to be feared that much of what has been saved is not up to standard as regards quality. Against this a large quantity of ensilage was saved, which will to a great extent take the place of the hay. In the Otago District farmers, on account of the season, were late in getting in their crops. The effect of this as far as grain crops is concerned is that they did not ripen in time to allow them to be harvested before the summer ended. Although in some districts the autumn rains arrived too late to be of the greatest benefit to the pastures, the feed conditions are such that given an average winter we can look forward with confidence to our stock coming through satisfactorily. Health of Stock. The principal disease and troubles affecting stock are dealt with under the respective headings as follows :— cattle. Tuberculosis.—The total number of cattle condemned and destroyed in the field as the result of clinical examination and the tuberculin test amounted to 5,460. The number of cattle examined on slaughter at the various abattoirs and meat-export slaughterhouses was 259,804, a decrease of 24,713 from last year. Of these, 11,057, or 4*25 per cent., were found affected with tuberculosis in varying degrees, a large percentage being only slightly affected. This represents a reduction of 0-86 per cent, on the previous year's showing. The total number of swine subjected to examination was 457,355. Of this number, 46,008, or 10-18 per cent., were found to be affected with tuberculosis, and, as in the case of the cattle, a large percentage was only very slightly affected. This percentage represents a slight increase on last year's showing, but is practically the same as the percentage of the previous year. Actinomycosis.—The animals condemned for actinomycosis for which compensation was paid was 660. The district totals are as follow : Wellington, 209 ; Auckland, 342 ; Canterbury, 42 ; Otago, 67. Only such cases as were showing open lesions were condemned and slaughtered. Others met with were placed under treatment. Malignant Growths.—The number condemned for which compensation was paid was 458. Mammitis.—Taking the Dominion as a whole, the incidence of this disease can be said to be on the down grade, no outbreaks of a serious nature having been recorded. Nevertheless, there are still too many herds where the disease is in evidence and too many cows have still to be culled from the herds for the complaint. Scientific research has not yet furthered our knowledge with regard to the effective control of this complaint from a prophylactic or curative standpoint. We still have to rely mainly on the methods of treatment in vogue during the past decade. At the same time a system of microscopical examination on approved lines has been developed which enables the diagnosis of all cases, even in the mildest form of the disease, to be made with greater accuracy, and with this in operation, together with more care in milking, thorough cleanliness and proper "handling of milking-machines, and better sanitation generally, the incidence of the disease should be lessened still further. Contagious Abortion.—This disease has reached the stage in almost every district throughout the Dominion where it is non-progressive. A few cases can be seen in almost any district where dairying is carried on without assuming epidemic propensities. If farmers individually and collectively would put more effort into the control of this disease they would be in a better position with regard to its control than they are to-day. When once an animal contracts the disease it is a well-known fact that it remains in her system for the rest of her life, and that at every calving period, whether she has previously aborted or not, she becomes a spreader of infection, "if dairy-farmers would only avail themselves of the opportunity which is offered by the Department's Laboratory at Wallaceville and have their cows subjected to the agglutination test, they would then be in the position of knowing which cows were affected, and would be able to segregate them for a period after calving until all discharge had ceased. By so doing the disease could be confined to a given area on the farm and afterwards eaten down by sheep or bullocks before again being grazed by dairy stock. Young calves fed on affected cows' milk, although they do not contract the disease from this cause, pass the organism on to the pastures. Such pastures will require to be treated as affected pastures also.

2—H. 29.

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