FARM AND STATION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22434, 22 June 1938, Page 13

FARM AND STATION

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TREATMENT OF FOOTROT

NEW TROUGH ARRANGEMENT DEVISED SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT AT PAPAKAIO A new, method for treating Jfootrot in sheep has been devised by Mr A. C. Hurst, of Papakaio, and he is so pleased with its success that he invited a representative of “The Press’* last week to inspect it. Mr Hurst is a scientific farmer. He introduced irrigation. to his farm, with highly profitable results, and his methods of farming have been adopted by other settlers in his district. A specially designed shed was erected by Mr Hurst between his shearing shed and the barn for dealing with sheep affected by footrot A concrete trough about 30 feet long was built. It has three compartments, divided by concrete dams. In the first water runs continuously during treating operations over the bed of light shingle. The sheep move slowly over this and their feet are cleaned of mud and any impurities before they enter the next compartment, containing the bluestone solution. The third compartment is packed with wool, and as the sheep walk over it the bluestone is forced up into their feet. The sheep are then led into the adjoining pen. with a battened floor, and remain on it overnight before being returned to the P£ Mr°Hurst has found his methods to be completely efficacious. A mob or lambs which could hardly walk down from the hills were treated in .be trough, and within a fortnight sign of footrot was to be seen m the flock. Paring of the feet is done only in cases of extremely severe affection. Mr Hurst has also in bad cases of footrot, after the bluestone treatment, with a wood preservative, and with definitely successful results.

A correspondent writes stating that, like many other farmers, his flock is greatly troubled with footrot. He has tried several so-called remedies, but without much success. The writer would therefore like the publication, through “The Press,” of s treatment that would cure the complaint. As the writer says, there have been many remedies suggested, but the commonest and most satisfactory material used in the earlier stages or as a preventive is bluestone (copper sulphate). The agricultural bulletin of the Chamber of Commerce (June, l. 30) covers very fully the various fo r ™ s of treatment which can be usefully quoted for general information. For use as a preventive only the bluestone should be dissolved in water at the rate of the £ B *- lon and the sheep should be allowed to stand in the bath for a few minutes. For this purpose it is necessary to have a gate at either end of the trough. It must be realised that this solution is too dilute for actual treatment. but it acts as a preventive as it keeps the tissues hard. Where bluestone is objected to because of its liability to stain the wool, formalin at the rate of one part to eight parts of water may be used. In some cases on heavy land the lamps should be treated also to prevent scald Once there is any sign of footrot then more' active steps should be taken to check the trouble in the early stages. All sheep showing any signs of a limp should be caught, the feet cleaned and then inspected. Any loose or overgrown horn or tissue should be trimmed off and if there is a sign of the trouble being under the surface, the overlaying tissue should be cut away. As a precaution all trimmings should be burnt. If it is only the mild condition known as scald which is affecting the feet, then all the sheep should go through the footrot bath containing a solution of bluestone at the strength of Boz to the gallon. If formalin Is used, one part to four parts of water is the usual strength, and is suitable for treatment at this stage. For this purpose, a trough about eight inches wide at the bottom, sloping out to 12 inches wide at the top, about six inches deep and 15 feet long, should be built, and used for Preference in the shearing shed. The sheep clean their feet by walking over the battens before going into the trough, and dry their feet on the battens after treatment. For the ideal treatment the trough should be made in two sections. The first one about eight feet long, filled with water and with fine Pebbles on the bottom to clean the feet, then a section of the gratings with no trough on which the feet drain, and then a longer section, in which the solution for treating the feet is placed. Some means should be adopted to prevent splashing. Where a wooden trough is used, light wooden slats should be placed across the bottom at six-inch intervals, to give a foothold, and if a concrete trough is made the bottom should be left rough. The solution requires to to about two and a half inches deep in the trough. In every case the sheep should go out to some dry pasture after treatment. and if this is not possible they should be held on the road for some time to allow time for the solution used for treating the trouble to take effect* Where the tissues under the skin or horn are affected, the feet require to be hand-dressed, and these sheep isolated from the remainder of the sheep, which should go through a trough containing one of the solutions mentioned above. , , For hand-dressing, a number of treatments may be used, since it sometimes happens that one treatment will be effective where others fail. If satisfactory results are not obtained with the treatment in use, it would be wise to try another. Bluestone may be used at the rate of 11b to one gallon of water, but should not be used at this strength in troughs in the early “scald” stages, because it causes blisters. Bluestone dissolved in vinegar at the rate of 2-3oz to the quart is an effective hand dressing. Another preparation is Boz bluestone, 4oz lysol or fluid sheep dip, and one gallon of water. Formalin three parts and water one part may also be used. A recently introduced treatment is cresyhc acid and Stockholm tar in equal narts. The above are all liquid dressings, but in certain cases, particularly where the sheep have to be turned out on to wet pastures, it is desirable to use a more waterproof dressing. One of these is powdered bluestone one part, gunpowder one part, and sufficient Stockholm tar to make a thick paste. This mixture requires to be used with due care, and should be warmed before use by placing the container in hot water, but on no account should it be warmed over a fire. Another recipe is Stockholm tar one part, lard one part, and powdered bluestone one part. This should also be slightly warmrd prior to use. In very severe cases, butter of antimony applied with a feather may be used. Before applying any of these dressings it is absolutely essential to pare away any tissue which may have had a trace of the trouble under it. A very useful article with which to apply the treatment is a small sized bottle brush sn that the material can be worked well into any affected part, except in the case cf bluestone. which has a corrosive action en motel. Bluestone containers should be made- of wood, earthenware, or glass', and when applying solutions containing bluestone to the hoof use a narrow brush to work in the solution. Care must be taken

ROMNEY MARSH ASSOCIATION

DOMINION’S DOMINANT BREED The report of the Romney Marsh Breeders’ Association for the year ending December 31. 1937. shows the widely extended use of the breed in the Dominion. In comparison with other breeds the Romney'a figures are as follows; Stud Romneys registered in flock books .. 206,361 Total stud sheep registered in flock books .. • • 465,898 Stud Romneys equal 44.769% of the stud sheep in New Zealand. Romney sheep not registered in flock books .. 3,799 ,129 Total distinctive breeds not entered in flock books •. 8,999,117 Unregistered Romneys comprise 42.216%. , During the year 94 stud rams and 427 stud ewes were exported overseas. No fewer than 264 of the ewes were sent to South Australia and 88 to South Africa. Thirty-one rams were shipped to South America and 33 to the Falkland Islands. The retiring president i(Mr J. Miller) was re-elected for the ensuing 12 months, and Messrs A. S, Murray (Mosgiel) and E. R. Black (Gisborne) vice-presidents. The income over expenditure during the year was £437.

LUMPY WOOL

To the Agricultural Editor Sir,— By drawing attention to the disease called “mycotic dermatitis" the Sheepowners’ Union gives great assistance to farmers who wonder why sheep become flyblown over the At the recent Oxford ewe fair a farmer found that 10 ewes, which were quite clean when leaving his farm the previous day, had been struck by fly over the back. These he withdrew from sale and treated in the saleyard. This case is authentic, I had previously mentioned to him that fly was striking sheep across the back, but he said that none had done so on his place. Consequent.y. it is of interest to know that the clipping away of wool and applying one part bluestone to 50 parts water checks the disease. Further, I would add that after the fly has taken hold, an application of kerosene on the parts affected removes the maggots. On top add a dressing of tar. Tar is one of the best curatives for cuts in sheep, cattle, horses, and other animals. In the past the shearing sheds used to have a tarpot on the board. Each shearer was compelled to call “lar” whenever he cut a sheep. Consequently few sheep wore cut with shears. If they were tar was considered the best antiseptic to use. In the last few days I have been wondering why my sheep were becoming struck across the back by fly. Mycotic dermatitis has probably arrived in New Zealand by the importation of stud stock from other countries. It was stated in your article that it has spread to many flocks throughout the district this season, such breeds as Romneys and others comparatively open woolled having been affected. If a new imported pest has arrived we should tighten the importation laws in order to prevent troubles such as foot-and-mouth disease arriving here. New Zealand to-day is a stud stock exporting country, free from the major diseases. We are surrounded by an ocean, and there is no reason why we should not be self-contained as a healthy stud stock Island and not risk the importation of further danger. Good health and a guarantee from such diseases as overrun other countries can still be given to our stock, otherwise the export trade built up by our stud stock breeders will be lost. Furthermore, if foot-and-mouth disease entered this country trade would be disorganised, and all the good done by the founders of the frozen meat industry would be endangered—a ban would be placed on our meat export. —Yours, etc., C. H. ENSOR. Hanmer Springs, June 18.

It was stated at a Southland meeting the other day that an advertisement for a lorry-driver inserted by the Southland County Council drew 72 replies. The. same week a farmer advertised for a teamster at more than the award rates and did not receive osc application.

A visitor to the Marlborough Province last week informed “Straggler” that there was an undoubted increase in the area being sown to wheat this season. One grower was sowing an area of 175 acres, as against 40 last year, and two others who grew no wheat last season were each putting In 100 acres. These areas were big for Marlborough, and not many would reach the 100-acre stage, but many of the smaller growers were sowing another 10 or 15-acre paddock. The popular varieties are Cross 7 and Jumbuck.

that splashes of bluestone do not get into the eyes of the operator. Malignant footrot is a more severe form, and the Inflammation and suppuration spread to the tissues above and round the hoof. There is usually Intense swelling, the toes are widely separated, and the animal has great difficulty in placing any weight on the affected foot. As soon as it is seen that a sheep has this form it should be isolated in a dry place and any hoof parings, used dressings, etc., should be burnt. Constant careful attention is essential, the affected foot or feet should be bathed in a hot water fomentation to which a mild antiseptic has been added, for example a weak solution of a carbolic dip. A moderately deep incision should be made with a sharp sterilised knife near the heel of the foot to allow any discharge to drain away. This should be assisted daily by gentle pressure from the front of the. hoof towards the heel. The feet should be kept clean, every endeavour being made to relieve the pain and to reduce the swelling. Soothing dressings should be applied.

ENGLISH MEAT PRICES

dissatisfaction among FARMERS RENEWED DISCUSSION OF RESTRICTION (JTROM OUB 0W» COBRBSI’ONBENT.) LONDON. May 25. The continued dissatisfaction of sheep farmers throughout Great caused by the fall in the prices of home-killed mutton and lamb. nas given rise to a general misundrestandSg that imports of lamb have increased in the first lour months of this year compared with the two previous years. Consequently, there has been an agitation for the restriction of impoils from New Zealand and Australia. This misunderstanding was corrected bv Mr W. Morrison. Minister for Agriculture, when he answered a question in the House of Commons this week. “Imports of frozen lamb in the first four months of this year have been somewhat less than in the ing period of 1937,” he said. Although there has been some increase m oversea supplies of mutton, the excess has largely consisted of lower grade ewe mutton. Stocks of mutton and lamb in cold storage in Great Britain arc substantially below the levels of a year Bg The English farmers’ dissatisfaction has been encouraged largely by the comparison of this season’s prices with those of last, which were exceptionally high, and a certain annoyance at the successful results of the New Zealand advertising campaign. It is understood that, in some quarters, there is a strong agitation to ask the British Government to subsidise mutton and lamb, and to control imports. Position Discussed Mr R. S. Forsyth, British representative of the New Zealand Meat Board, and Dr. R. M. Campbell, ecgnomic adviser to the High Commissioner, together with representatives of Austra* lia.' met officials of the Ministry of Agriculture last week to discuss the position of Dominion imports. Supplies prices, and markets were thoroughly examined, and the New Zealand representatives emphasised the fallacy of attributing the fall in the price of home-killed mutton to increased Dominion imports. In addition to referring to the fall this year in lamb Imports, and tlu slight rise in the quantity of ewe mutton, they also pointed out that stocks of lamb in store in the United Kingdom were 330,000 carcases less than in May. 1937. and that New Zealand lamb was selling at a penny per lb more than a year ago.

English farmers are experiencing s feed shortage in certain districts—the rainfall in the first four months of this year amounted to only 3.35 i while livestock figures disclose that their flocks are larger. This is a factor which causes the outlook for New Zealand lamb on the British market in 193.9 to remain uncertain. Indications arc that Great Britain will request the Dominions not to increase their exports next year. Reserves for War Reports have appeared in the English newspapers recently stating that reserve meat supplies are being bought for the nation to store against the possibility of war, and that they will consist of home and not imported meat. This suggestion has not been confirmed, and those with a knowledge of the English markets think it unlikely that the higher priced home-killed meat would be stored in preference to imported. A report, however, that Vesteys had arranged to buy up £3,000,000 of Dominion and foreign meat, to be landed at different ports throughout the United Kingdom for storage was denied. It would appear that these rumours have occurred as a result of a report issued by the War Plans Association This stated that so far as could be learned, the Intention of the British Government was not to lay in heavy stocks of meat for storage in case of war. . _

It was more likely that, on the first day of hostilities., a rationing scheme would be brought into force Immediately, and the present ration of meat available to the public would be reduced by 50 per cent. As Britain produces 50 per cent, of the meat at present consumed by its population, it is considered that this would be sufficient for immediate requirements, while imported meat would be used to feed the fighting services and to supplement any civilian deficiencies.

COLLIE DOG TRIALS

OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS Tlie Otago Collie Dog Association championships were commenced on Mr G. Walker’s property, at Kuriwao, near QJlnton. and were finished on Saturday. The weather was good throughout and the attendances quite good. The Kuriwao Club officials carried out their duties with credit. Mr D. Murdoch (Brighton) was judge. Results;— Open Malden and Local Heading—J. Hellier's Mac (51. points) X. J. Harris s Fay (451 points) 2, P. Turnbull’s Ted (45 points) 3. Twenty-six entries. Local Heading—J. Harris’s Fay (4ai points) 1. G. Dodd’s Black (44 points) 2. D, Landels’ Tip (43J points) 3. Twentythree entries. Maiden Huntaway and Slew and Local Huntaway and Slew—R. Tuffley’s (Clinton) (53 points) 1, Dick (52 points) 2, and Dot (501 points) 3. . Twenty-one entries. The same owner, won. the local huntaway with the same dog and points in an entry of 22, Otago Championship Long Pull, about half a mile: prizes, £lO, £5, £3, £2, £l, 10b; points 60; two runs by first six dogs to count—M. A. Matheson’s (Mlddlemarch) Scott (531, 53—1111 points) 1. J. B. Queale’s (Invercargill) Bess (551, 551 —HI points) 2, J. Nelson’s (Wtnton) Pat (56. 54—1101 Soints) 3, R. Wilson's (Kirwee, Canterury) Fly (53, 56—109 points) 4, A. T. Miller’s (CJifden. Southland) Len (56, 521 1081 points) 5, J. B. Queale's Roy (521, 54—joe! points) 6. There were 30 competitors. Otago Championship Huntaway. Prizes. £lO. £5, £3, £2, £l. 10s; points 60: two runs by first six dogs to count—W. E. Stiven’s Ding (56, 59—1151 points) 1, W. Kennedy's (waitahuna) Jack (56, 59—115 points) 2, M. A. Matheson’s Vale (57, 571 — 1141) 3, S. Peterson’s (Warepa) Crib (56, 551 —nil points) 4. L. A. Charleston’s (Waikaka) Ronald (56. 52—108 points) 5, A. T. Millar’s Alen (591 points) 6. There were 21 entries. Otago Association At the annual meeting of the Otago Collie Dog Association, held at Kuriwao, Mr D. G. Thomson (Middlemarch) presided over a fair attendance of delegates. The annual report and balance-sheet, showing a profit on the season, were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected: —President, Mr D. G. Thomson: vice-president, Mr W. S. Thomson (Warepa): Joint secretaries, Messrs M. A. Matheson and G. S. Gillespie (Middlemarch): executive. Messrs D. Cant (Ngapara), A. 3. Hore (Tokoraki), G. Ross (Palmerston), J, Morrison (Kuriwao). A, Gibson (Miller’s Flat), G. Maze, sen. (Kakapuaka); delegates to South Island Association, Messrs G. Ross, G. Maze, and the president. Considerable discussion took place on the methods of allocating the venue of the Otago . championship trials, and it was finally decided to divide the district Into four sections (north, south, east, and west), and Instead of balloting for the trials to fix a centre in each section and ■ hold the trials • alternately at these centres.

FROZEN PRODUCE LETTER

, BRITAIN BUYS LESS MUTTON (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON. June 2. Compared with the figures for the corresponding period of last year, returns for May show that less wheat and maize, chilled beef, frozen mutton and lamb, bacon, pork, and dead poultry were Imported into the United Kingdom. Chilled beef arrivals totalled 40,500 tons, a drop of 4500 tons, and of last month’s total 34.500 tons came from foreign countries, mainly South America. Frozen beef imports totalled 9500 tons, some 2500 tons more than a year ago, British countries supplied 6600 tons. Arrivals of frozen mutton and lamb totalled 31,500 tons, a drop of 4500 tons. 26,000 tons coming from British countries. Imported bacon supplies amounted to 27,500 tons, a drop of 1500 tons; of the total, 20,000 tons came from foreign countries. Ham imports at 2800 tons were much the same as in 1937. and fresh pork arrivals at only 70 tons showed a decrease of 200 tons. Frozep pork shipments, totalling 4900 tons, showed a slight decrease, while dead poultry arrivals amounted to 800 tons, a fall of 580 tons on the 1937' figure. There was also a slight decrease in the imports of eggs. Drought and Sheep Industry Although widespread heavy rains have ended the drought that had long persisted in all parts, of the country, the home mutton producer is still passing through an acutely difficult time. According to one authority, the loss sustained by the farming industry during the last three months, due entirely to drought, amounted to nearly £10,000,000 sterling. Of this amount, cattle claimed £1,000,000, fat sheep and lambs £1,000,000, eggs and poultry £1,000,000. pigs £500,000, and fruit and crops £6,500,000. In the House of Commons, Major Braithwaite pointed out that while large numbers of sheep have been sold at unremunerative prices, 1,000,000 more have come in from abroad, during a period of emergency, than last year and there should be some restriction of these imports. Reports presented to the Minister for Agriculture (Mr W, S. Morrison) by the farmers’ organisations declare that the sheep producers have suffered during the last 10 months from a very rapid fall in prices, and when the drought came many holdings were overstocked with sheep awaiting better prices. The drought brought a shortage of feed, and large numbers of lambs put on to the markets further decreased pricesThe farmers have asked the Minister for Agriculture to exercise his powers under the Ottawa Agreements Act, the Argentine Agreement, and the Livestock Industry Act to respect imports from abroad during the period of the year when the home farmers normally unload their lambs. They contend that at the moment there is a glut of mutton and lamb on the market. with frozen mutton and lamb imports having increased from something like 200,000cwt to 300,000cwt and the frozen lamb import figures very much above those of last year. At the moment, however.' it is evident that Mr Morrison has adopted a “wait and see” policy, and it is said in Parliamentary circles that he does not intend to interfere yet with imported supplies, although he has forwarded the views of the producers’ organisations on the subject to the representatives of the Dominion and foreign Governments concerned. Dairy Produce Supplies In general, arrivals of imported butter are much below the average quantity for the time of the year, and prices are at a high level. The declining output in New Zealand is reflected in the decreased offerings on the market, with New Zealand cheese well to the fore but still in comparatively short compass. The higher prices have affected the demand for Australian and New Zealand butter to a considerable extent, the market showing at the moment a preference for Continental supplies.

This has led to an into-store movement, and there are about 80,000 more boxes of butter in cold store than during the corresponding period of last year, when there was a similar increase over the total for the same period In 1936, the present total being equivalent to 800,000 boxes. The total imports so far received from Australia and New Zealand show decreases, with increases from Sweden, Canada, Argentina, Estonia, Finland, aqd Lithuania.

Although egg imports into the United Kingdom have lately declined slightly, the total arrivals for the year so far show an increase on the figures for 1937. The official returns state, for instance, that receipts from Denmark and Rumania in April declined by 29 to 41 per cent, respectively. Imports of liquid or frozen eggs into the United Kingdom declined further in April, but were 28 per cent, greater than in April, 1937. Receipts from China declined by 20 per cent, and those from Japan by 30 per cent., but the quantity received from Egypt and Denmark increased. Some appreciable quantities were received from Central European countries and Italy, which did not figure as sources of supply last year. WHEATGROWING COSTS (To the Agricultural Editor of "The Press") Sir, —In your issue of Saturday, “ExWheatgrower” takes me to task for my criticism of a previous letter written by him on the cost or wheatgrowing and other aspects of the industry. It is strange how so many people see something sinister in the opinions of those who explode the fallacies and opinions which they air so confidently. Because a man takes a reasonably long view he must of a necessity be a “Ministerial” propagandist or an emissary of the Wheatgrowers’ Association. In this case, he happens to be neither. He is simply one who has been connected with many aspects of farming for more than 35 years, and who is opposed to an advocacy which can only result in the ruin of the wheatgrowing industry. “Ex-Wheat-grower” made a definite statement about the price of imported wheat, which he now admits he “inadvertently over-stated." A controversialist can be equally extravagant in his opinions as in his facts, I hold no brief for the Wheatgrowers’ Association, but I can quite readily realise that, being in the business of wheat buying, they cannot publish the cost of the various parcels of wheat they import. Would the firms do so? This is one of the points of his complaint. The miller, he states, is working under a guaranteed price. Quite true, and carved down considerably on what it used to be. But is not the wheatgrower doing the same thing? Wheat has increased in price in five years by approximately 50 per cent. —from 3s JOd to 5s 9d—end, to face a plain fact, can it increase any further without raising hostile propaganda? I think not. Whilst I admit the troubles suggested by “Ex-Wheatgrower” in regard to increased labour costs, has this 50 per cent, not gone some distance towards meeting them? . There are many aspects of our industry which we would like to see remedied, but those remedies are not going to be Secured if the present system of protection is removed, and that appears to me to be the one result of propaganda which Is continually hostile.—Yours. etc.. GROWER.