FARMERS’ WARNED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22585, 13 March 1948, Page 6

FARMERS’ WARNED

ECZEMA_ DANGER IF RAIN CONTINUES SHEEP CONCENTRATION “If an inch of rain or more falls and there is no drop in the temperature, there is a real danger of facial eczema.” said Mr. R. Crawford, senior veterinarian to the Gisborne Veterinary Club, in a warning issued today to farmers. Because of the difficulty of promulgating a warning during the week-end and the probability of the steady rain of this morning continuing, Mr. Crawford said he had decided to presume there would be further rain without a fall in temperature. At the meteorological station at Darton Field up to 9 a.m. today ,17in. had been recorded and at the Manutuke research station .13in. Much steady light rain had fallen since that hour. If the rain continued, he added, precautions along the lines of the warnings already issued must be taken immediately. Stock must be removed from rye-grass pastures, or where that was impossible they must be concentrated at the rate of 100 to the put there early “The only possible way to avoid facial eczema when conditions are favourable is *o take precautions early," warned Mr. Crawford. “Taking the precautions late, after the feed is away is useless. On Monday, if conditions are changed further instructions will be issued.”