BIG STOCK LOSSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 244, 14 October 1937, Page 8

BIG STOCK LOSSES

THE TOLL OF PARASITES COLOSSAL IN CANTERBURY RESEARCH WORK PENDING [ Per Press Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 13. Sheep losses in Canterbury this year because of parasites were described as colossal by Mr D. W. Westenra at to-day’s meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He urged that some form of research be immediately undertaken, stating that farmers now were using all kinds of “dopes,” with no knowledge or experience of their efficiency, and the problem was getting worse all the time.

Mr Westenra deplored the departure from the district of Mr Alan Leslie, formerly of the staff of Canterbury Agricultural College. “We were getting somewhere when Mr Leslie was here,” he went on. “Our greatest difficulty is keeping men in New Zealand. As soon as they have learned their job someone in Australia offers them twice the salary to work there.” Other members agreed that the position had never been so bad as it was this year, Mr R. C. Todhunter saying that he hoped farmers would not have to wait until all their sheep were dead before the research work was done. Mr M. E. Lyons, secretary to the association, said that developments In agricultural research to include animal work could be expected in the very near future. The Canterbury Agricultural College Board had been advised that animal research work would begin soon. The amount to be spent would be announced in the estimates. Both the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research would take part in the work, and several Ministers had shown tremendous interest in it. The co-operation of owners would be sought, and there would be several “contact” men working on the field of research.