DISEASE IN HERDS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20887, 19 August 1939, Page 12

DISEASE IN HERDS

TUBERCULOSIS TESTING “ACCREDITED” HERDS OF AREAS Difficulties which, faced the Government in undertaking comprehensive schemes for testing dairy herds in New Zealand for tuberculosis were outlined by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, in an interview to-day. The Minister said that at the present time it did not appear practicable to introduce a Dominion-wide scheme for many reasons, but that if some plan could be devised in which the cost could be spread equitably over the whole industry and taxpayers generally, the Government would be desirous of initiating such a scheme. 'He added that in the meantime the Department of Agriculture was prepared to co-operate with any group of farmers in establishing accredited herds and areas, and that he was also considering the possibility of establishing two experimental areas where the full costs of eradication and the probable effect on the economic position of the industry might be studied. “Considerable attention has been centred for something on a suggestion that determined efforts should be made to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from the dairy herds in the Dominion, and many resolutions along these lines have been passed by farmers’ organisations," said the Minister, who added that some clarilication of the position appeared necessary. Thro© Schemes Suggested Three alternative schemes, said the Minister, had been suggested:— ( i t The complete coverage of tuber-culin-testing of all dairy cattle in the Dominion. (2j Tuberculin-testing of all herds supplying milk for local consumption, and (3) A co-operative accredited herd scheme. It was suggested that the first scheme could be completed within three years, and that afterwards a state of comparative freedom could be maintained by adequate veterinary service. The partial scheme covering cows used for liquid milk supply was thought in some circles to be sufficient to safeguard the local position, and also to form a basis for a gradual extension into all herds concerned in the export trade. “The co-operative accredited herd schemes would depend for its success on the voluntary efforts of dairyfarmers,” said the Minister. “This scheme has much to commend it, provided the same co-operative spirit is behind it as that obtaining in the eradication scheme in Denmark. The scheme could be put into operation in selected areas or districts by the voluntary efforts of a majority of dairy farmers in the area or district. After the majority had carried out the testing on a, voluntary basis, consideration could be given to bringing the minority in that area into the scheme by legislation, as is followed in Denmark. “Any such areas cr districts would become accredited areas in which all the dairy cattle would be free from the disease Accredited areas could be gazetted and extended from time to time, as obtains in the United btates of America at the present time. Effect of Schemes “In reviewing the first two alternatives, the points to be considered are the burden of the cost on the Consolidated Fund, and the effect of consequent heavy replacement of cows on the total output of dairy produce in the Dominion in the case of scheme No. 1. To a much lesser extent, these two considerations will apply if schemes No. 2 or No. 3 were to operate. A further point is the inequality of effect on individual farmers resulting from a wide variation in the possible incidence of reactors. It is estimated that scheme No. i would cost in the vicinity of £2,300,000 in the first three years, and would entail thereafter an annual administrative expense of approximately

£if>o,ooo. Scheme No. 2 would cost in the vicinity of £IOO,OOO for the first year, and £25,000 to £30,000 a year thereafter. “If scheme No. 1 were put into operation, the replacement of the reacting stock might well result in insufficient healthy animals being available t j maintain the Dominion's herds at their present level other than through the retention of cows which otherwise would have been culled. The probable effect of this factor on total production cannot be estimated, and it might well result in considerable reduction for a few years. “Under schemes No. 2 and No. 3 there is not the same objection either in regard to cost or their possible effect on the Dominion's production. Inequality of Incidence “It is estimated that the average incidence of tuberculosis in dairy cows in the Dominion is in the vicinity of six to eight per cent,” continued the -Minister. “It has been shown in certain instances, however, that the number of reactors may reach a conisderabiy higher percentage in individual iierds even as high as 50 to GO per cent being recorded in certain cases. Many of the reactors in such herds would be animals affected with tuberculosis of a localised nature, and would not at the time of reaction constitute a danger to human health by means of infection in the milk. ‘“lt will be appreciated from this statement that certain individual farmers may have such a high incidence of the disease in their iierds and be so affected that their livelihood would be materially interfered with for some years if scheme No. 1 were introduced. In such a case serious cinsideration would require to be given to the establishment of a pool fund, preferably on a co-operative basis, to which all producers would subscribe ip order to smooth out the unequal effects on individual farmers. Most Serious Aspect “Perhaps the most serious aspect of the eradication of tuberculosis from dairy herds lies in the fact that the disease may be present in a variety of forms, varying from very mild (in which only a few small spots of infection may be present) to very severe forms (in which large areas of tissue are affected). In the mild cases the general health of the animal may not be impaired, but in the severe forms the animal’s health is severely impaired. “When the disease is present in the milk secretion system grave danger to human health may result. Minor infection in muscular glands, however, does not present any serious danger to human life. The intrader - mal test gives reactions in any stage, and results in heavy eradication if all reactors are slaughtered. “It will be appreciated that, once a policy is decided upon, the test used must be accepted as a final indicator to determine the retention or destruction of stock, and the Government hesitates to impose such a procedure on the industry until its full implications are known. “In the meantime the Department of Agriculture is prepared to cooperate with any group of farmers for the purpose of establishing accredited herds and areas. 1 am also giving consideration to the possibility of establishing two experimental areas where the full costs of eradication and the probable effect on the economic position of the industry might be studied. This cannot be done during the current financial year, but, if practicable, such experimental areas will bo set up in 1940.”

j Farmers’ Auctioneering Company j Sheep: Heavy prime wethers to 28s : 9d, light fat wethers 22s to 2 is 9d, ! prime black face mutton to 24s Gd. I f;it ewes 20s. prime woolly hoggets 21s to 235; medium fat hoggets 19s j to 19s Gd. light 13s Gd to 17s Gd. • Gal tie : Heavy Friesian cows to £lO | 7s; heavy Jersey and Jersey cross . heifers. £7 9s to” £8 2s; medium Jcrj sey heifers, £5 15s to £0 12s Gd; ! light Jersey heifers, £3 10s to £4 Jss; ! heavy Jersey cows, £7 5s to £8; Imodium. £.*i‘los to £G 15s; light, £4 9s to £4 18s; heavy boner cows, £3 I 10s to £4 -is; medium £2 15s to £3 ss; light, 35s to £2 8s; cull cows, 15s to 27s 6d; empty 2-year Jersey heifers, £2 6s to £3 2s 6d; empty 2- Friesian heifers, £3 4s to £3 8s; 3 and 4-year Polled Angus and Hereford steers, £8 11s to £8 18s; 3- Hereford steers, £8 4s; 2$ to 3-ycar Polled Angus steers to £7 2s Gd. Choice heifers, £l2 to £l2 15s; good Jersey heifers, £lO to £ll 10s; others, £S 5s to £9 10s: more backward, £6 to £7 10s; small and weedy, £ * to £5 10s; Shorthorn heifers. £8 t-o £9 10s; Jersey cows up to £ll 10s; good Jersey cows, £8 10s to £lO. Pigs: Choppers, £2 to £3 9s: best baconers, £3 15s to £3 18s; medium. | £3 10s to £3 lis; light, £3 4s to £3 8s; buttermilk pigs and heavy porkera. £2 16s to £3 3s; medium porkers, £2 10s to £2 lis: light. £2 is to £2 8s; good quality large stores. 37s 6d to £2 Is 6d; large stores, 33s Gd to 35s Gd; medium, 28s Gd to 31s Gd; slips, 25s 6d to 30s 6d: best weaners. 23s 6d to 26s Gd; others, 17s Gd to 21s Gd; smaller, 12s to 15s; breeding sows, £3 10s to £5; sows with Utters, £7 to £7 ss. Loan and Mercantile Agency Cattle: Jersey cows, £6 6s to £7 ss; medium, £4 15s to £5 12s 6d; fat Jerseys £3 18s to £4 12s; heavy boners, £3 to £3 15s; light, £2 2s to £2 18s; good quality dairy cows, £3 18s to £4 10s; smaller, £2 15s to £3 ss; extra choice dairy heifers, close to profit, £ll to £l3; later cal vers, £8 10s to £lO Ds; backward heifers, £7 10s to £8; medium quality cows, £8 to £8 15s; backward cows, £6 15s to £7 10s. Dalgety and Company, Ltd. Sheep: Heavy prime wethers from Mr L. 11. Larner, Kiwitahi, £1 3s 3d and £1 Gs; medium fat Shorthorn cows, £6 14s to £8 14s; heavy fat Jersey cows, £6 4s to £7 12s 6d; medium do., £5 to £5 18s; heavy boners, £3 to £3 16s; medium, £1 18s to £2 17s 6d; light 15s to £1 17s 6d; yearling Jersey heifers, good quality, £4 ss; smaller do., £3 7s to £3 12s fid; springing Jersey heifers, £8 to £9 ss; smaller and more backward sorts, £6 10s to £7 15s; Jersey cows, close to calving, £7 to £8 10s; later calvers, £5 10s to £7 10s. TE AWAMUTU STOCK SALE Messrs Dalgety and Company Limited report having held their triweekly sale at Te Awamutu as follows: —A large yarding of cattle and a small yarding of sheep came forward. There was a very animated sale of beef, prices being right up on a par with Westfield values of the previous day. A feature of the entry was a pen of prime heavy bullocks on account of Mrs M. Moorhead, which realised from £ls to £l6 12s 6d, and pens of lighter prime quality Polled Angus bullocks from the Tokanui Mental Hospital which sold, after keen bidding at prices ranging from £ll lbs to £l4 2s Gd. Cows and heifers from the estate of G. O. Bayley made from £9 to £lO 15s. Equally good prices were obtained for entries of prime cattle from Messrs Jacob and Williams, Mr J. T. Young and Mr Alfred Kay. Sheep.—Prime fat wethers, £1 9s to £1 11s; store lambs, 10s. Cattle.—Heavy prime fat bullocks, £ls to £l6 12s 6d; lighter prime, £ll lbs to £l4 2s 6d; prime fat heifers, £9 to £lO 15s; heavy prime cows, £8 os to £9 10s; lighter, £6 10s to £7 17s 6d; heavy boners, £3 to £3 17s; medium, £1 18s to £2 17s 6d; lighter, lbs to 1 15s. Dairies.—A very heavy market, bidding was brisk for good-quality sorts close to profit, but, as in usual, this year backward sorts were plow of sale. Young Jersey cows, close to profit, £lO 5s to £l2 ss; ditto, £8 to £9 ss; more-backward sorts, £5 to £6 15s; Jersey Shorthorn cross cows, £9 15s to £ll 15s; more backward, £5 10s to £7 15s; Holstein cross cows, [ £7 10s to £lO 15s; backward, £4 10s to £6 ss; calved cows, £6 10s to £8 ! 15s; springing Jersey heifers, close to profit, £lO 15s to £l2 ss; more backward, £6 10s to £8 ss; JerseyShorthorn cross heifers, £8 to £lO ss; Jersey Holstein cross heifers, £7 5s to £9 ss; more backward, £5 10s !o £6 lbs; calved heifers, £8 5s to £9; others, £5 to £0 10s. Pigs.—There was a good yarding of fat pigs with an exceptionally heavy yarding of stores, the competition throughout being slightly easier than late sales. The advertised boars on account of Mr Hushbrook demanded keen competition. Medium heavy baconers, £3 6s to £3 lis; light, £•/ 18s to 3 6s; heavy buttermilk pigs, £2 10s to £2 18s; heavy porkers, £2 to £2 10s; medium, £1 lbs to £2; large stores to light porkers, £i 10s to £i 18s; medium stores. £1 5s lo £1 10s; small stores, £1 to £1 ss; choice slips, £1 10s to £1 16s Gd; good, £1 5s to £1 10s; medium. £1 to £1 ss; best weaners, £1 to £1 ss; medium, 15s to £1; small, 10s to lbs; sows to farrow, £3 10s to £5 2s 6d; advertised line of Tarn worth boars, 7Agns. Lo 7|gns.; Berkshire boars, bgns. lo 7 igns.