STOCK TROUBLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20851, 18 April 1931, Page 16

STOCK TROUBLES.

ELUSIVE DISEASES.

MINERAL DEFICIENCY.

USE OF lODINE

BY K.P.

Probably no district in New Zealand is altogether free from stock troubles of on<j sort or- another, but there are, in the North Island, certain districts where all the troubles that beset farmers e\'en in healthy areas arc present, plus a few of their own. Favoured with a pleasant climate throughout the year and quite good-looking soil, there is present in the districts referred to an elusive sort of disease that takes toll of livestock in various ways.

A sheep farmer may have only store lambs to sell where one would normally look for fats; ho may have to change his ewes more frequently than seems desirable. A dairy farmer cannot get big production figures from his herd, no matter how well he seems to treat them; lie may have a lot of trouble rearing calves and young stock generally, and there is always too big a percentage of slips and shy breeders. These arc some of the experiences of those who occupy the land in more than one district in the North and as is only to bo expected they are very much perturbed. Symptoms Indicate Deficiency. One could not go so far as to say that iodine deficiency alone is responsible for the presenco of the troubles referred to, but it is more than a coincidence that these troubles are all consistent with a lack of iodine in the system. The fact that only a percentage of the stock suffer to any extent at once suggests that tho individual animal is at fault. For instance, out of twenty incalf heifers, twelve may calve down normally, while five or six slip, and tho balance prove to bo not in-calf. Some members of tho herd put up good figures, while others of equal capacity yield poorly. It may be said that that is a common occurrence everywhere, as disclosed by herd-testing returns, but those who have experienced both sorts of variations recognise tho difference. Much the same position occurs with sheep; some lambs are good, and some are poor, some ewes breed on and some givo up at an early date. Everything points to the actual troublo resting within the individual aniinali and that further suggests the thyroid gland. Functions of lodine. lodino functions in several ways.' In fact, if we are to accept all that has been published in this connection, we are almost forced to the belief that iodino is the spark of life itself. One of the most important functions of iodine in the body is the destruction of toxiVis. Another function of iodine comes under the heading of nutrition—nutrition that must be regarded not only as the basis of gain in weight and of reproductive fertility, but also as the source of health and vigour and particularly of the power to resist disease. Cases without number almost are recorded which bear out tho claims made for iodine as a source of health and reproductive powers, so that whoever wants confirmation of statements made here has not far to seek it.

The case for treating livestock with iodine is admirably slimmed up in the words of a medical man, who says-: "Immunisation may confer upon human beings a limited protection for a limited period against a limited number of infections; but for livestock the only real or practicable defence is the adequate functioning of the thyroid gland, which functioning, where there is a deficiency of iodine, is lacking. The least we can do, as well as the best, is to see that the gland is supplied with the source and origin of its protective power." lodine in Rations. The quantity of iodine required by livestock is very small, and this minute dose is best administered through the medium of a mineral lick. The body that lacks iodine also lacks minerals, and it is perfectly reasonable to administer both at the snme time. lodine may also be added to the drinking water of animals. Such a courso is strongly recommended where the deficiency is severe. Best results seem to follow the feeding of a properly-proportioned "iodised mineral lick." By using this form of. iodinecarrier ono can make sure of each beast being supplied with its requirements; the mixture can be put into the hay and ensilage stacks as they are being built, it can be fed to young stock through the milk or other such feed as they are given, it can be fed to stock direct, or it can bo made into blocks for run use. It is not 60 important what form of lick is used so long as it is "complete" in the matter of essential minerals, is properly prepared, scientifically proportioned and includes the correct iquantity of iodine. Farmers on areas that have the least suspicion of sickness should not delay any longer but should procure supplies of an iodised lick mixture and feed this to incalf cows right away. Attention to this matter will probably save a great deal of worry and expense at calving time. Even one beast saved will more than cover the cost of treating an entire herd.