CORRESPONDENCE ILL-THRIFT IN LAMBS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28234, 23 March 1957, Page 9

CORRESPONDENCE ILL-THRIFT IN LAMBS

To the Agricultural Editor. Sir, —In recent years more and more ill-thrift is occurring in lambs and sheep, and also in cattle in various parts of New Zealand. It is my opinion that, due to the growing intensity of farming and the continual use of two or three types of fertilisers (lime, phosphate and potash), deficiencies of trace elements are caused. Under certain circumstances, such as flush growth after a dry period, the situation can quickly aggravate. Especially in areas which are originally border cases with regards to the availability of several trace elements to plants (and thus to stock) the quick growth of the pasture will result in the grass and clovers not containing sufficient to keep the animals healthy. Pasture tests, carried out for farmers in the Ashburton and Darfield areas indicate that trace element deficiencies (more especially cobalt and copper, but sometimes also others) are frequent. Farmers, who carried out recommendations regarding trace elements. obtained good results in the Ashburton and Darfield areas and had no dead lambs, whereas quite often their neighbours had great losses.—Yous. etc., H. E. MENRATH. 17 Sparks road, Spreydon.