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Several incidences of the disease in sheep are also recorded from widely scattered districts, the organism being isolated from sheep on farms and from sheep in holding paddocks. The Live-stock Superintendent, Dunedin, writes : " It is not clear what the significance of this condition is in cattle in this district. The trouble has occurred mostly in winter and early spring, and in young calves and older cattle. The problem requires further observation and investigation during the coming year." Mortalities in Stock Due to Poisoning.—All mortalities in stock continue to be investigated. Despite the fact that publicity has been given to the various causes of poisoning of our farm animals, accidental poisoning occurs from time to time. Access to lead and paint is a common cause of lead poisoning in calves and cattle and in one instance five dairy cows died after having access to white lead. The poisoning of stock from arsenic, phosphorus, and the toxic plants laurel, fern, and yew is also recorded. Parasitic Disease of Young Cattle. —Parasitic bronchitis and gastritis of calves have been commonly reported during the year. The treatment of affected animals with reliable worm medicine is common practice, but many overlook the advantageous results obtained where good feeding and calf husbandry are practised. SHEEP Owing to a good autumn and mild winter the ewe flocks wintered well. A good lambing percentage was expected and with favourable weather throughout the lambing period the loss of lambs at this period was low. Some local flooding accounted for losses, but over all the lambing percentages were excellent. There was a low incidence of disease in the ewe flocks, particularly pregnancy toxaemia and bearing trouble. Milk-fever in ewes was recorded in several scattered districts from Nelson Province to Southland. Early shearing was again widely practised in many districts. Lambing everywhere was good and, owing to the fit condition of the ewes, the lambs were strong and of good weights at birth. These factors augured well for a good export season in fat lambs. As the season advanced, however, the climatic conditions were not always favourable, and a number of set-backs have been experienced. It is expected that very satisfactory results will be obtained before the season closes. Dipping was carried out very generally but lice-infested sheep were exposed for sale in greater numbers than in some previous years. The wool-prices have been particularly good in all districts. Lymphadenitis.—The incidence of this disease found in mutton carcasses in South Island works and abattoirs is slightly higher at 4-22 per cent, as against 3-97 per cent., for the previous year. The incidence in lambs continues to be particularly low. Pregnancy Toxaemia. —This disease of the pregnant ewe was not prevalent during the past season. It appears to be well established that with a favourable mild winter normal husbandry of the ewe flock is comparatively easy and safe. Under abnormal seasonal conditions with shortage of feed and overstocking or sudden setbacks due to frost and storms, many farmers find trouble in preventing losses from the disease. Although bearing trouble affected flocks in several parts of the Auckland district, the incidence was not high in flocks in other districts. Lambing was carried through very successfully and with a-minimum of loss. Parasitic Gastro-enteritis.- —Hoggets wintered well in most districts and the favourable feed position played a big part in the control of the worm problem. Dosing with worm medicine is followed as a routine procedure, large quantities of phenothiazine being used each year. In a few cases where this drug did not appear to give good results use of the nicotine-bluestone mixture was tried. Contagious Ecthyma. —The vaccination technique in the control of this disease is now well known to the sheep-farmer, the vaccine being supplied from the Animal Research Station, Wallaceville, at the request of owners.

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