TUBERCULOSIS IN COWS

Southland Times, Issue 23332, 16 October 1937, Page 14

TUBERCULOSIS IN COWS

ELIMINATION EFFORTS ON EAST COAST The loss caused to dairy herds by tuberculosis has been estimated as being from five to ten per cent. With the higher prices ruling for dairy stock even a five per cent, loss is a serious one, and there is always the possibility in an untested herd of infection spreading from diseased to healthy cows. The tuberculosis test has stood the trial cf 40 years, application and of late the process of testing has been simplified considerably, and its reliability as an indicator of affected animals is now unquestioned. In the Poverty Bay district during the past five months 1400 cows have been tested, compared with 777 for 12 months during 1935-36, and 1757 for the year 1936-37. According to the testing officer many of the applications came from dairy farmers, although a number was in respect of station cattle. The principle of testing had, he said, become more popular during the past few years since the introduction of the simple method whereby injections are made between the layers of skin, the veterinary officer returning in three days to ascertain the results of the test. This is called the intra-dermal test. Previously the system was more involved, and entailed several visits and much inconvenience for the farmer. In Poverty Bay approximately five per cent, of the cows tested were condemned after the results of the tests had been made known. As 1400 had been tested since April 1, the total condemned in that time would come to about 70. Apart from herd losses there is always the possibility that Great Britain may demand that all imports of dairy produce must be certified as'obtained from tested herds found free of tuberculosis. Total elimination of the disease is not practicable in a short period, but there seems good reason for the adoption of a long term plan with the ideal in view.