AUSTRALIAN CATTLE PEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18631, 12 February 1924, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE PEST.

dreaded buffalo fly. HEAVY LOSSES INVOLVED. [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, Feb. 5. "It; is only a little fly, but its bite is like the thrust of a darning needle"— such "is the description of the dreaded buffalo fly which is reported to have spread from the Northern Territory into the northern portion of Western Australia and to be working its way down through the Kimberleys to Derby. Its bite causes cattle to rub the bitten spots raw, and these tender places are subjected to further attacks by the flies, the process being repeated until tho patch goes almost black. It id estimated that the effect has been a reduction of 571bs. per head in the average weight of the beasts treated at Wyndham meat works this season, Which, estimated on the conservative value of 2d per lb., represents a loss of £24,000. Both the Federal and the Western Australian Governments are fully alive to the dangers of the buffalo fly, and axe arranging for the joint appointment of an expert to investigate tne matter and advise on methods necessary to secure the protection of stock. Advice from South Africa states that the same, fly has caused extensive damage there, resulting, in some districts, in the almost entire elimination of European cattle. It is thought that the. abnormal season experienced in Western Australia last year may have resulted in the widespread operations of the pest, there having been rain in season and out, nevertheless, no time is to be lost in effecting a thorough scientific investigation. Agricultural organisations in all the States are inter-" esting themselves in the matter, it being feared that unless the progress of the fly is checked it may spread throughout all the cattle districts of the Commonwealth.