VALUABLE COWS STERILE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 4 March 1929, Page 7

VALUABLE COWS STERILE

GRAVE OUTLOOK IN MANAWATU A statement that half of the cows in the Moutoa district were suffering from the disorder known ns vaginitis, which causes temporary sterility, was made at a meeting of the Dairy Far'mers’ Union executive, says a Palmerston North message. While not . coming as a surprise to members, the executive emphasised the seriousness of the trouble from the point of view of production. It pointed out that the Moutoa district was not the only one affected, and that the disease was playing havoc all over the Dominion. The Rangiotu branch wrote asking if any further information was available respecting the failure of cows to conceive. The disease had gone through the district affecting hundreds of cows; perhaps it would not be exaggerating to say thousands. The executive, feared that the disease would mean a decrease in production by quite 50 per cent. Every known treatment had been tried without success. At the recent Himitangi sale three empty cows were ‘sold which two years ago had produced 598 lb, 4241 b and 4001 b of butter-fat respectively. If those cows produced heifer calves their yearly aggregate return with butter-fat at Is 6d per lb would be £llO Bs. Such cows should never have to be sold as stores. ; The branch suggested that the matter be brought before the department again as the most serious problem confronting the dairying industry to-day. Speaking to the question, Mr F. J. Legg stated that two suggestions had been made. The first was that the Massey College should buy cows and try them out. The second suggestion was that a scientist should be specially employed, even if it cost £IO,OOO a year. One man he knew of had had a set hack that would take him ten years to recover from. Mr P. J. Small suggested that a copy of the letter should be sent to the Minister of Algriculture in order to bring before the department, as often as possible, the necessity of decreasing the mortality of, cows from the disease. . 1 Mr W. H. Gimblett stated that, without exaggeration, half of the herds of the Moutoa' district were affected by the trouble. He thought the department should send an officer there to conduct investigations. Mr Small’s suggestion was adopted.