Talks On Treatment Of Infested Sheep

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29894, 7 August 1962, Page 14

Talks On Treatment Of Infested Sheep

(Neu> Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 6. The Director« General of Agriculture (Mr D. N. R. Webb) will meet representatives of the Chemical Manufacturers’ Association this week to decide what advice should be given to farmers whose sheep arc infested with lice.' Mr Webb said today that there was no possibility of the use of dieldrin or aldrin being again sanctioned. Their use was too great a threat to New Zealand’s meat market. The Australian authorities were following New Zealand’s lead and banning their use.

"Concern is being expressed by sheepfanners throughout New Zealand because, in spite of their using approved dips, sprays, or dusts, their sheep are still infested with lice." said Mr Webb "With lambing right at hand, they are worried that lambs might be away to a bad start and will not thrive "The department is alive to the problem With officers from the Animal Industry Division and Walteceville Animal Research Station I wil) meet representatives of the manufacturers later this week to decide how best to advise farmers” ■

Meantime, the beet advice for the farmer with liceinferted ewes was along the foUowing lines, said Mr Webb. If the ewes have been, or are to be. shorn before lambing, efficient dusting or tip spraying off shears with any of the organq-phos-phate dips would be effective The ewes should be kept separate from dry sheep that have not been treated, because there could be gross infestation within a day or two Ewes heavy in lamb could be shower-dipped quite safely provided the weather was fine and they were given ample time to drain and get a good feed before nightfall. If the ewes were woolly, dusting with diazinon would give partial control An alternative was to pour about a quart of diazinon spray along the backbone of each sheep This would run down through the fleece and give quite good control. “A fuller statement will be issued after the meeting with the manufacturers,” said Mr Webb.