H.—29.

Johne's Disease.—ln the Taranaki district 36 animals affected with this disease have been dealt with during the year. Non-scheduled Diseases Grass Staggers in Cows (Grass Tetany)The incidence of this disease was low compared with some previous years. Milk-fever disease of dairy cows was also lower than in previous years. Parasitic Disease in Young Cattle.—This disease is a continuous source of worry to dairy-farmers, and advice as to the best methods of prevention and treatment is being freely given by field officers in dairying districts. Sheep Owing to a mild winter, pregnancy toxasmia was much less prevalent than in former years. The disease of entero-toxaemia in lambs is now well controlled by vaccination of the ewes, which is common practice in the districts formerly seriously affected. Three outbreaks of congenital goitre in lambs occurred, involving the loss of about -350 lambs. The disease has been controlled by the use of iodized salt. Pigs The incidence of disease in pigs remains unchanged. A heavy mortality in pigs fed on mangels was investigated during the year, and some interesting information was obtained in regard to the use of mangels in the feeding of pigs. Swine Husbandry The report of Mr. H. M. Peirson, Acting Superintendent of the Pig Industry, is submitted herewith:— " The main feature of this year's pig-production is the decrease in killings recorded since the 1941-42 season. Approximately twelve months must elapse before the results of any disturbance in pig-production becomes evident in the killings. It seems probable that one of the causes of this decline was the change-over to cheese last year. " The recent change back to butter-manufacture found the country with short supplies of stores and weaners, and incapable of immediate response to the increased feed-supplies, except by increasing the weight at, which pigs were killed. Advice was given to increase the slaughter weight of all pigs as a means of increasing. the output of pig-meat. " As a consequence of the reduced killings and increased supplies required for the armed forces, our exports will naturally be a diminishing factor." Meat Inspection and Slaughter of Stock The standard of inspection of all. meat and meat products has been maintained throughout the year. The marked increase in the processing of meat at several centres necessitated an increase in staff for check-inspection purposes. The numbers of stock slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses were 2,629,588 sheep, 10,972,447 lambs, 507,295 cattle, 987,105 calves, and 605,535 swine; and at abattoirs 890,810 sheep, 184,726 lambs, 178,987 cattle, 52,707 calves, and 185,035 swine. Importation of Stock The following stock were imported during the year: Cattle, 18; sheep, 54; horses, 13 (not including the usual movement of thoroughbreds between here and Australia). Of the above animals, the 18 cattle were placed in quarantine for the period required. Exportation of Stock During the year the following animals were exported: Cattle, 8; sheep, 201; horses, 4. Dairy Inspection Every endeavour has been made to maintain the supervision of the production of milk from registered dairy premises for town-supplv purposes. The increased demand for milk for armed forces' camps, together with local supply requirements, has brought about difficulties in the maintenance of a supply in some districts. Owing to feed conditions and scarcity of milk, many vendors have had to go further afield in order to obtain their requirements. Mainly owing to the present dry season in the Auckland district, the milk-supply has fallen below that of other seasons. The scarcity of milk is likely to be experienced in other districts during the coming winter. Poultry Mr. P. C. Bobby, Superintendent of Poultry Husbandry, comments as follows: — " The outstanding feature of the past year in the poultry industry has been the greatly increased demand for eggs, and the inability of the industry to meet this demand. Largely due to difficulties in obtaining adequate labour, there is evidence that the poultry flocks of the Domnion have decreased. Measures are now being taken to encourage increased eggproduction by the granting of Government loans, release of building material, and the retention on their farms of flock-owners with military obligations. " An increase in the wholesale price of 2d. per dozen for eggs during the flush season of September-December inclusive was granted for 1942, and is being continued during 1943. This increase in price came at a time when it was urgently needed, and lias done much to encourage poultry-keepers to keep up their flocks. " There are indications of possible increased egg-production in the North Island, while the decrease in the number of birds in the South Island which took place during 1942 now appears to have stopped. There has been a limited number of newcomers to the industry, who should give some help to the egg position in the near future."

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