STOCK DISEASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23037, 14 May 1938, Page 19

STOCK DISEASE

Sir, —The investigations re facial eczema in stock seem to be confined chiefly to the Waikato, where they regard the lush feed following draught conditions to be the cause. In the Katikati district there has been ample feed throughout the season, and farmers wore cutting hay over a long period, due to the continual growth of pasture. People passing through remarked how fresh and green the district looked in comparison to the Waikato. The feed conditions were entirely different and rank growth was a bugbear, while our herd also had constant access to tern and swamp country. Yet more than half our animals hava suffered from eczema, and this was lirst observed as early as mid-February. The first unusual symptoms occurred in early December, when tho whole herd suffered from aeeute nasal catarrh, and this continued for nearly two months, being particularly bad during the wet spells. We would welcome investigation in this district, for our experience seemed to show that it was tho rank feed that caused the trouble. It is only by studying all the conditions under which the trouble occurred that a true viewpoint can be gained. 1.F.0.