DAIRY STOCK DISEASES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 18 May 1928, Page 10

DAIRY STOCK DISEASES.

<J.. NEED FOR- DRASTIC ACTION. F ARMER S’ GRIT ICI SM. A subject which concerned the fanning community vitally was considered at the South Taranaki provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union yesterday, when diseases of dairy stock were discussed, with special reference to vaginitis and abortion in dairy herds and the- danger of the introduction to the Dominion of foot and mouth disease, which is so rampant in some part s of the world. As an outcome it was decided to draw the attention of the Department of Agriculture to the question, and to- urge close investigation of the danger arid the loss that is suffered by the dairying industry. The subject was introduced by two remits, the first reading: “That the Department of Agriculture be requested to investigate the alarming amount of vaginitis and abortion in dairy herds, and that every effort be made to furnish dairy farmers with more practical knowledge to enable them to- combat these serious disease, which are the cause of heavy losses in this district.” Air. Sulzberger, in moving the remit, said that, he was firmly of the opinion that stringent action was * necessary, and that the matter should be referred to the Dominion Laboratory for further investigation. Mr. A. D. Johnson said the Government veterinary officers had done all they could, but their help did not seem to counteract the disease or get over the difficulty. There was not sufficient knowledge to deal with the trouble, and no definite plan in attacking it. Air. Docker said he had seen the trouble twenty years-ago, and had great trouble every year. There was more loss by this- disease than by mamm.itis and all the other diseases put together. He had always bought liis bulls as calves, with only one exception, and still he had had the trouble. He was convinced the department knew verylittle. They -should not- hesitate to get information by all means, not only here, but by going abroad, because they were lasing millions every year through the disease. The number of cows going into the saleyards indicated the extent of the loss. Mr. J. P. Marx said the same trouble existed through the ages and in every country. America had more facilities than New Zealand could ever hope to have, and relief was wanted there. It was very serious, and they should .send officers abroad, to America and to England, in the hope of getting relief. Even in the older countries nothing had yet been achieved. Mr. O. Robertson said he had spoken to Air. Hopkirk, of the Government laboratory, who had said they could not do more. Germany, the most- advanced country in this 'research, had been spending huge sums in investigation, anti they had three men who were the most able in the world and yet could get no clue. It was useless, he said, to spend in New Zealand. He considered also that the inoculation serum was the most successful r£eth%d yet adopted, and they hoped by this means to get relief. There had been a cry that all the men in the department were doing nothing, but the trouble had been in the world for many years and no remedy had been found. The remit was carried unanimously. The second remit was: “That every percaution be taken by the Depatrment of Agriculture to guard against the entry of loot and mouth disease into Hie Dominion.” , Atr. O. Robertson said there was no reflection on the department, but ho would like to say that they should have no doubt that every effort was being made to keep put the disease. Air. J. Cocker seconded. Air. H. J. Betts said that these remits had to go to- an advisory committee of the conference, and if the committee thought fit the remit would go forward. The remit was carried.