INTERNAL PARASITES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20669, 6 March 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

INTERNAL PARASITES

LOSSES AMONG LAMBS METHODS OF TREATMENT Heavy losses are suffered annually by farmers in the Dominion as a result of the infection of sheep by internal parasites. So far this year, owing to the very wet season, the losses are stated to be more than usual, and reports from Mid and North Canterbury are to the effect that heavy losses are being experienced there. With a view to finding out the position in South Canterbury a reporter of “The Timaru Herald” yesterday interviewed

Mr E. J. Lukey, B.V.Sc., Department of Agriculture, and was told that in some cases farmers had experienced up to 20 or 30 deaths in their flocks but that the heaviest losses were due to the loss of condition and general set-back that the lambs were receiving. Mr Lukey referred to the heavy yarding of store lambs at the last Pleasant Point Sale, as compared with previous sales this year, with a drop of from 1/6 to 2/- a head, this notwithstanding the firm price for fat lambs. “What was the reason for this drop?" asked Mr Lukey. It was not because the price of fat lambs was down, nor was it because farmers had a surplus of lambs with a diminished food supply. No! The reason was that the lambs were going back in condition and possibly the owners thought It better to sell before the lambs died. Internal Parasites and Bad Weather Mr Lukey stated that several deaths that he had Investigated were undoubtedly due to internal parasites aided by the unseasonable weather and rank growth of in-nutritious grasses and rape etc. The rape in many cases was not ripe enough for feeding lambs and in some cases where he had made a post-morten eamination on rape fed lambs he found nothing but a mass of fibrous material in the rumen or first stomach; while the other three compartments, including the true stomach and Intestines, contained large quantities of a fermenting fluid. In these cases the intestines were highly inflamed, and both stomach and intestines contained parasites, which in these cases were the secondary and not primary cause of death. Prevention Prevention should be the aim of every sheep farmer and that these annual heavy losses from internal parasites could be prevented was illustrated by Mr Lukey. He said that the manager of one large station, who had in previous years experienced losses, when asked last week how his lambs were doing, replied that last winter he dosed all his ewes regularly with the Bluestone Nicotine Sulphate 40 per cent solution as recommended by the Department of Agriculture, with a result that his ewes never looked better, nearly 50 per cent of his 1000 lambs had gone away to the works, and that the others would be away shcrtly. In this case his pastures had been kept clean and rank growth reduced. Another sheep owner in a big way informed Mr Lukey that he had dosed his lambs regularly since November with Bluestone and Nicotine Sulphate, and in addition had kept the dry-feed up to them, with a result that his lambs had done remarkably well and he had experienced no losses this year, although in previous years he had had heavy losses. Controlled Grazing Controlled grazing of the pastures was essential, as very long or short grass encouraged the spread of the parasite. The method of feeding off such ci ops as rape, turnips, young grass etc, was also important. Where such crops are fed off in breaks, as they should be, it is highly desirable not to let the stock run back over already eaten off areas, as they are sure to be infected, and because of the shortage of feed on them the sheep are more liable to pick up larvae. The feeding of good quality hay, or chaff, or oats, with succulent crops was also desirable for the general health of the sheep. A great number of farmers have

availed themselves of the advice giver* by officers of the Department of Agriculture, said Mr Lukey. but he was afraid by the way the season was shaping that there will be heavy losses early in the winter, unless those farmers who have not already done so, commence to dose their lambs and put out some dry feed.