FACIAL ECZEMA

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1938, Page 2

FACIAL ECZEMA

ESTIMATE OF LOSSES. [PEE tress association.] HAMILTON. May 10. 'll is estimated by competent authorities that', very nearly £l,0i)O.()0O has been lost by Waikato farmers through the facial eczema epidemic. This huge sum takes into account not only direct losses by death of stock, but. also the limited income that will he the result next season through reduced lambing and calving.

It is stated that the 100,000 breeding ewes which have died or have been killed because of the disease represent a loss of about £200,000, and that reduced lambing next season will mean an approximate loss of another £200,000. Farmers have been compelled to sell fat sheep at 7l> per cent, of their value, and this loss is estimated to reach £lOO,OOO. To these losses must be added haulage and killing charges for infected sheep. These figures account only for the fat lamb trade; but it is considered that when the losses that will be incurred through smaller wool cheques and butterfat cheques, and through death and infection of dairy cows, with a consequent loss of calves, are taken into account, the total loss will be approximatelv £ 1.000.000.