THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22908, 16 June 1936, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

By RUSTICUS.

FARM AND STATION NEWS

Itami ©f Internet to thoa« engaged in agricultural and pastoral purauita, «rith • view to their publication in these column*, trill be welcome* They should be addressed to Ruaticue, Otago Daily Times, Dunedte.

SHEEP DOG TRIALS OTAGO PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION. Sheep dog trials for the 1939 Beeson yet to be held are as follows: — June 10. 17. 18 and 19.—South Island Championships, at Moesburn. OTACO A. AND P. SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of the Otago A. and P. Society for the year ended March 31, 1936, which will be presented at the annual meeting on Friday, says, inter aha: For the year ended March 31, 1936, 11 monthly meetings and a number of subcommittee meetings have been held. The president expresses his thanks to those members of committee who regularly attended meetings and assisted in carrying out the operations of the society. Death has again taken toll of members and honorary stewards, and the committee extends its deepest sympathy to relatives in their bereavement. Amongst those whose faithful service the committee desires to place on record was Mr H. C. Campbell, a past treasurer, past president, and, at the time of his death, an honorary life member of the society. In presenting the balance sheet for the year ended March 31 last, the committee has pleasure in reporting that, after writing off a debit balance of £63 8 S brought forward from the previous year, there was a profit of £332 3s 2d on the year s operations. Of this amount £127 14s 7d was written off buildings and show fixtures, and the balance (£204 8s 7d) has been carried forward. The committee reports that a number of necessary repairs have been earned out st Tahuna Park and the Agricultural Hall, the buildings are in a better state of repair that they have- been for some time, and as the statement shows, on March 31 the bank account was in credit £OO 16 3 lOd, which, considering the hard times the society has passed through, can be considered very satisfactory ind°ed' WINTER SHOW. The attendance at the 1935 Winter Show was a record; over 33,000 visitors passed through the doors in five days, and the entries exceeded those of previous years. The committee desires to express its thanks to those who so generously donated prizes and to the honorary stewards who assisted to make the show such a success.

STALLION PARADE. The fifty-second stallion parade of Gtago and the oldest and most important horse parade in the Dominion was held «i. -lahnna Park in September of last year. The. championship was. won by the imported stallion CraiKie Crest, owned by the estate of the late Thomas Logan, Otama, while the reserve championship went to another importation. Dunlop a liehown, the property of Mr Andrew Grant, Fairlie. Thirty-one stallions, probably the finest group of Clydesdales to be wen in Australasia, were forward for this fixture which attracted visitors from all parts ot the. island.

SUMMER SHOW. On account of the election date falling on tiiat fixed for the Summer Show, the dates of the latter were altered from November 26 and 27 to the 19th and 20th, but owin# to the difficulty va securing a half-holiday, it was decided to postpone the event until February. Due to a combination of adverse causes, it was finally decided to abandon the show until November of this year, and looking back on the year's operations the committee is confident that the alteration was in the best interests of the society. RAM FAIR. The annual Ram Fair was held at Burnside on March 26, when 1681 rams were penned. Adequate accommodation was provided, and, taken all over, the sale was most successful. FAT LAMB COMPETITION.

The second competition under the auspices of the society was conducted at the Burneide Freezing Works on December 14 Messrs M. Hannan and C. Neal officiated as judges, when 210 excellent lambs were entered for the competition. Ine quality of the exhibits was an advertisement for the districts represented, and the final 15 pens which were chosen for shipment to London were a credit to the breeders.

RETIRING MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE.

In accordance with the rules of the society, one-third of the members of the committee retire annually, and all are eligible for re-election at the annual meeting. The members who will retire this year are as follows: — Dunedin District.—Messrs J. M. Fraser, B S. Irwin, J. Mitchell, and D. M. Reid. 'Bruce, Clutha, and Tuapeka Districts.— Messrs Joseph Mosley and W. S. InomTaieri District—Messrs Arthur Johnion and John Young. „..,... n» VVaikouaiti and Waihemo Distwpt.—Mr George Ross. _ _.. Central Otago District.—Mr R. S. Kmnaird. .. , The committee wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who assisted to extend and promote the objects of the society; to those who so generously contributed special prizea and trophies; to those who officiated as judges; to the marshals and class stewards who worked so energetically in arranging exhibits; to those members who obtained new members; and to the press for valuable and full reports of the society's operations for the year.

NEW ZEALAND FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT

The annual report and balance sheet of the New Zealand Friesian Association covering the 12 months ended March 31, 1936 The year has been one of further steady progreuß towards the popularising of the Friesian breed of dairy cattle Excellent performances, both under all systems of nroduction tests and in _ the «how rings of the Dominion, have given supporters of the Friesian breed every reason to be proud and enthusiastic regarding its future. Meetings.—During the year meetings of the council were held at Palmerston Jvorth (June), and Hastings (October), the annual meeting of members in Palmerston North (June), and a special general meeting of members at Hastings during Royal Show Week, October, 1935, Council—Messrs 0. A. Cadwallader, H. K. Johnson, D. J. M'Gowan and E, M. North, retire from the council this year, but are eligible for re-election. Membership.—There are now seven honorary members, 3 life members, 427 members, 34 junior members, 119 associated members and 5 scholastic institutions, a total of .595 members belonging to the association.

Certificate of Record Testing.—During 1935 the first-class certificates issued to Friesians totalled 04, and consisted of eight 305-day test certificates and 58 yearly test certificates. The average for the 305-day certificates was 11,4221 b milk and 405.151 b fat. while the 56 yearly certificates averaged 15,493.91 b milk and 663.951 b fat. Five second-class certificates, averaging 515.281 b fat, and 20 third-class certificates averaging 618.481 b fat were also issued for records completed during 1935. The total number of first-class certificates' (yearly test), issued to Friesians by the dairy division since the inception of the C.OIR. testing is now 2189, the average for these certificates being 14,031.91 b milk and 497.261 b fat. This average is easily the best for all, dairy breeds in New Zealand. New Zealand Records.—(a) It has become quite customary for Friesians to create each year a record for all breeds in the Dominion. The year 1930-0 was no exception in demonstrating this remarkable ability of the breed, for the Totara C.R. Buttercup, commencing her sixth consecutive year on test on August 11, 1935. had produced to March 31, 1936, 614.901 b fat in 233 days, making her lifetime production to that date 5402.931 b fat—a new record for all breeds ever officially tested in the Dominion. During 1935 9 cows produced over 2000 gallons of milk, making a total to that date of 214 for the Friesian breed. Too much stresß cannot be laid on this heavy milking ability of the Friesian cow, for it iu this which enables dairy farmers to raise extra calves and greater numbers of pigs, from which the profits of the dairy industry at the present time largely come.

The total number of times Friesians have produced over 1001 b fat in a month was raised to 98 by the addition of 10 such records during the year under review. The highest of these were:—Moneville Sylvia Posch Mercena, 131.371 b fat (October); Mahoe Titi, 118.231 b fat (November) : Hobson Ada P. Zozo, 113.481 b fat (December). Only two records exceeding 1001 b fat in a month were made by cows of any other breeds in 1935-0.

Medals.—During the year, 53 medals (41 cold and 12 silver), were given by the association. Of the cold medals, 4 were given to the North and South Island Champions, 31 to winners of most points at agricultural and pastoral association shows, and six to class leaders in production. The 12 silver medals were also given to winners of most points at agricultural and pastoral shows.

Export Certificates. During the year six export certificates were issued for one female to New South Wales and three malos and two females to Fiji. Production Records.—Members will appreciate Volume 22 Production Record, combining as it does all volumes of the Production Record issued since Volume 14 was published by the association in 1927, and also including full particulars of all C.O.R. gained during 1935. Friesian Booklet.—To replace the Judges and Exhibitors' Guide, an 80-page booklet containing the latest records and performances of Friesians In the Dominion and overseas was published under the direction of the council in 1935. Deaths of Members.—The council regrets to report the deaths of Messrs A. C. Barnes (Cheviot), N. Bryiner (Rotokauri), and A. B. Knutson (Daleficld).

FOOTROT A DESTRUCTIVE DISEASE METHODS OF PREVENTION AND CURE (Published Under Auspices Canterbury Agricultural College.) Footrot is a specific and contagious disease of the feet in sheep. In any country footrot stands as one of the most serious diseases that exist among _ sheep. However, it is a disease which is amenable to treatment, tnd can be prevented. If sheep owners would only appreciate the contagious nature of the disease and adopt effectual measures to prevent its introduction into a flock, or even combat it promptly when introduced, they would be handsomely repaid for their trouble. Experiments have demonstrated the ineffective nature of the virus or poison of the disease by the application of the infected material from diseased sheep to the feet of healthy sheep, and also by the association of healthy sheep with diseased animals. The disease may affect sheep on dry or wet country if the infective agent be present. A favourite habitat of the organism is wet or marshy places, or where there is an accumulation of excreta in a damp state, such as is often seen in dirty sheep yards. When one case of the disease appears in such a place it rapidly spreads through the flock if preventive measures are not adopted. The disease is rare in dry, hilly districts. Contagious footrot is primarily a disease affecting the soft structures of the foot. Any diseased condition of the horn itself is secondary, and is brought about by the separation of the soft from the horny structures through the agency of micro-organisms and the fluids eroded. The disease spreads from sheep to sheep, causing much lameness, loss of flesh, and may 'even cause death from emaciation. When the disease appears in a flock of in-lamb ewes, it is a still more serious matter, as carrying out proper treatment is not without danger. In such instances the disease may persist until the lambing season commences, the disease rapidly spreading to the new-born lambs. Apart from the adverse influence that wet seasons and damp pastures have upon the horny structure of the feet, grit and dirt may work their way into the cleft of the foot and produce a wound. If the soil be contaminated with the virus that produces footrot, the disease will eoou appear among the flock. However, it can attack sheep with apparently firm horn and well-trimmed feet. Experimentally the exudation and debris from an infected foot smeared round the corneal tissue o. a healthy sheep will cause the disease. The virulence of the organism becomes increased by its sojourn in the foot, thus accounting for the rapidity with which the malady spreads after a single case is established, and explaining the contagious nature of the affection. The virus has not yet been isolated.

Research workers usually find in the lesions the bacillus nocrosi, but it is believed to be secondary to the primary cause. SYMPTOMS. Lameness first attracts attention, and it varies in degree according to the state of the disease; on the examination of the foot or feet affected, a small, moist, unhealthy-looking spot-like sore will generally be found between the toes. 'lhere is little or no appreciable swelling of the coronet at this stage. The disease rapidly extends under the horny box, and if a little pressure be brought to bear on the inside of the foot a slight, dirty, foetid discharge will be observed oozing from the edge of the horn round the ulcerated spot. * The disease progresses from above downwards between the sensitive structures of the horn and hoof. When the horn is pared away the diseased parts are found bathed in the foetid discharge and the greater portion of tho foot may be involved. In very bad cases the disease, extends from its primary seat to the more important tissues of the foot, injuring the ligaments and tendons, and even the bones. In these severe cases the foot may be greatly swollen, very tender and hot. The animal is in great pain when weight is placed on the limb. Abscesses form in the soft tissues of the foot and burst outwardly round the coronet, leaving angry discharging wounds. One foot is usually affected at the outset, but the disease frequently appears in two, three or even all four feet. Sheep may be seen feeding on their knees, or lying clown feeding on the grass round them. When the lesions are associated with much pain, and when three or four feet are affected, the sheep rapidly lose flesh, and diarrhoea may supervene. During warm, muggy weather the condition is aggravated, and the foetid discharge may attract flies, and maggot subsequently develop in the wounds. An affected animal may become fly-blown on every part of its fleece that has come in contact with the discharges. PREVENTION.

It has often been said that a shepherd has no right to have footroot in his flock. Providing ordinary care is observed the disease should at least not get beyond control. The best plan to prevent the introduction of the disease is to avoid bringing suspected sheep on to clean pastures. Therefore in a season similar to the present, attention must especially be directed to fresh arrivals. ~ , The following are the cardinal points for preventing the disease appearing:— (1) Periodical inspection. Examining and trimming of overgrown feet is a practice to be recommended, and upon the slightest indication of disease affecting the skin, the affected sheep should be isolated and treated and the remainder put through a bath containing one of the preparations given below. (2) In the case of sheep bought in a sale yard or taken to a sale yard and brought back, they should, wherever possible, be isolated and the feet of each sheep examined. Isolation and close supervision should be continued for four weeks. The disease can appear 21 days after infection, 21 days being the longe.it known incubation period of the virus. As u precautionary measure the sheep can be put through a foot bath containing one of the preparations recommended below, on three occasions during the first 12 days and before mixing with the other stock. (3) The shepherd should always wash and disinfect his hands after the examination of recently ucquired stock before attending to any of tho old stock, and the same remarks apply after the examination of any individual suspected coses. (4) It is advisable to afford contaminated pastures a rest until a winter's frosts have intervened. (5) Attention must be given to the sheep yards, which should be thoroughly and effectually disinfected. TREATMENT. The following methods of treatment will be found most effective: 1. Examination of the entire flock, separation of the healthy from the diseased. Healthy sheep should every third day be put through a bath,' and tins can be' advantageously continued for 14 days after the last case has been detected. 2. Sometimes sheep may apparently recover from footrot without treatment, and the disease again break out after an interval of 21 days. Treatment, however, w necessary to avoid loss, and prompt measures materially assist in arresting the spread of the disease. The earlier the cases are recognised and treated the more readily and certainly will they yield to treatment. All detached horn from those "ravelyaffected should be freely and caretullv removed, so as to expose the affected sensitive structures. Skill and patience must be exercised in paring away the horn. It is imperative to expose all the diseased tissue, and the more advanced and neglected the case the greater will be the labour required. Al granulations or fungoid growths should be removed with the knife or secateurs. 3. It is important to remember that all removed particles of horn or other tissue should be destroyed by fire, as such material may serve as a means of turther spreading the disease. 4. When the cutting and paring has been deep, the structures at the loot require constant attention and repeated treatment by dressing with a dry powder composed of equal parts of boracic acid" and calcium hydrate. USE OF FOOTBATH. Some years ago it was noticed that the ordinary process of dipping sheep had a curative effect. Arguing from this, it appeared probable that beneficial results would follow the slow walking of sheep through a solution of various remedies just deep enough to cover the hoof. The British Ministry of Agriculture in 1904 distributed 30 woodcu foot baths 16 feet long and eight inches wide at the bottom, 10 inches across the top, seven inches deep, each accompanied by lewt of Milestone (copper sulphate), amongst a corresponding number c-t sheep farmers. The instructions were to walK affected sheep through a 5 per cent, solution every three or four days, aftel having cleaned and dressed the hoofs in the case of a bad attack This was found to be most effective. Copper sulphate to be 98 per cent. pure. The following are equally effectual.— (a) Formalin 75 per cent, water li> per cent. , , . (b) Formalin 6 pints, copper sulphate 4oz. water 2 pints. Dissolve copper sulphate in water and add formalin, the above makes one gallon of solution. (c) Commercial sulphuric acid, 10 per cent, solution. Two pints of sulphuric acid to one gallon of water. Care must be taken in the mixing, and only earthenware vessels can be used. Sulphuric acid attacks all metals with the exception ot lead. The acid must be added slowly to the water, keeping the solution well stirred. Much heat is involved, and the solution is very destructive to garments. Summary of directions for using the foot bath: — , ... (a) Bath of wood. 16 feet long, eight inches wide in the bottom. 10 inches wide across the top, seven inches deep. The bottom provided with cross pieces one inch wide, six inches apart to prevent slipping. Hurdles can be used for side fences, the hurdles sloping outwards <o as, to admjt the sheep walking easily through. . (b) The bath to be filled to a depth of three inches. The sheep to be walked throuch slowly. (c) If copper sulphate is used, preferably in the powdered state, as large crystals take a long time to dissolve. (d) Badly affected sheep to have their feet pared. (e) The sheep to be turned on to a drv paddock after walking through the bath. (f) Sheep with long wool must be put through quietly, or otherwise the solution used discolours the wool. (g) TJie foot bath should not be erected in the sheep yards, but preferably in the corner of a paddock. Sheep with footrot should not.be brought into sheep yards, as the yards become infected with the virus and are often the cause of the disease reappearing.