DISEASE IN COWS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1937, Page 1

DISEASE IN COWS

CONTROL OF MAM Ml T IS. HAMILTON, September 20. “We do not know any more about mastitis, or mammitis, as you call it, than you do,” said Dr. G. J.'Hucker, chief bacteriologist at tlie New York Agricultural Research Station, when addressing a meeting of Waikato farmers and secondary school agricultural students in Hamilton. Mr WE. .Hale, a member of the New Zealand Dairy Board, presided over an exce l lent attenda nee. Dr. Hucker was invited to New Zealand by the Agricultural Department to assist in the investigation if mammitis. In his address, he said that experts in America had not controlled or eliminated the disease, but by careful herd management and by taking certain precautions they had reduced its incidence to such an extent that it was not now an acute problem. The problem was how to increase the resistance of the cow to the inroads of the disease.

It was probable that the use of milking machines stimulated the disease, said the speaker, and was a source of infection. All cows obviously affected should be discarded, and care should be taken to see that they were not sold to other dairymen and included in their herds. In the speaker’s opinion, 40 per cent of first-calf heifers were infected with mammitis, and care should be taken to purchase heifers from herds that were free from infection.

In answer to questions, Dr Hucker said mineral deficiencies might play an important part in the resistance of the cow. As far as American experience was concerned, vaccines were valueless. If New Zealand vaccines had been proved to be efficacious, there would be an .unlimited demand for them in America. Radiated yeast had boon tried, but without success. Tlie control of mammitis depended largely on shed hygiene and herd management.

I)r C. S. 31. ITopkirk said he did not agree' with Dr Hucker’s statement that first-calf heifers were infected with mammitis.