IRON-STARVATION (BUSH SICKNESS) IN STOCK.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5, 21 May 1928, Page 316

IRON-STARVATION (BUSH SICKNESS) IN STOCK.

FARMERS’ EXPERIENCE WITH ADVISED REMEDIES

B. C. Aston,

'.N.Z.Tnst., Chief Chemist, Department of Agriculture.

•The application of remedies the logical outcome • of the adoption of the theory that “ bush sickness ” is really iron-starvation is in practical farming now beginning to show highly encouraging results. Previous published accounts of experiments have referred entirely to those conducted on either the Government Demonstration Farm at Mamaku or on leased areas under the supervision of departmental officers. The results outlined in this article are those conducted by practical farmers of repute who have carried out the work entirely by themselves, sometimes diverging from the official instructions and often varying the method of administration of the prescribed drug (ironammonium citrate) to suit themselves.

The area over which these farms are scattered is a very wide one, extending from the Bay of Plenty on the east coast to Putaruru in the Upper Waikato basin. The present statement of the position is made in general terms, often in the farmer’s own words taken down on the farm itself by an expert officer of the. Department, who therefore had an opportunity of applying something in the nature of . a check. Only those farmers who had secured quantities of the iron remedies from the Department, were visited. The fact of their continuous purchasing of the drug since January, 1927, may be held to be something of a proof that those who are using the iron scales are satisfied with the results obtained.

The article is thus not to be taken as a scientific record, but as an unbiased expression of opinion from practical men, and it is published in the hope of inducing other practical men to persevere with a remedy for a deficiency disease which is retarding the progress and holding up the settlement of extensive areas of country. - ; ? DISTRICT A (ABOUT gOO FT. ABOVE SEA-LEVEL): Farmer “ D,” who has been using citrate of ammonium and ' iron scales for the past seven years with good results, has adopted the practice of putting a dessertspoonful of the scales into a 200-gallon drinking-trough from time to time.' The water is, of course, being renewed intermittently, and the owner tests the requirement of the water for more iron by tasting it. When the iron-taste disappears another spoonful is added. All this farmer’s calves are ' reared, by the aid of the same drug. ■ . . Farmer. "V,” on the same road as Farmer “D,” has had good results by dissolving the scales in the water-trough in a similar way to the method of his neighbour “ D,” and rears his calves by putting the scales into the feed milk. DISTRICT (ABOUT 1,000 FT.). '' ' Farmer “ E ” has had good results in dosing cows with the. solution of the iron scales. Farmer “ K,” of same place, cured sick calves by dosing them with the iron scales.

Farmer M ” has had great results using a top-dressing of powdered sulphate of iron (hydrated ferrous sulphate) and superphosphate, and reckons that he “ saved the situation ” with his milking-cows by using that mixture. He also top-dresses with a basic slag and superphosphate mixture. This season he reared his calves on the top-dressed paddocks without dosing the calves, with any iron medicine. He has bought quite a lot of sulphate of iron from the manure-merchants after his experience of a small parcel of the same compound provided by the Department of Agriculture.

DISTRICT C (ABOUT 1,000 FT.).

This district is reputed to be one of the most “ bush-sick ” areas in the affected region of the North Island.

Farmer “ H,” who has a farm with a bad reputation for the “ skinnies,” milks cows and rears his own calves, and is now getting as good a return as those of his neighbours who carry on by periodically changing their stock to healthy country. His system is to dose the whole herd for about three weeks every three months with the iron remedy. This treatment consumes 1 lb. of the citrate for each animal in the year, at a cost for the drug of 3s. 3d. ; whereas by changing the stock it would cost him at least 2s. 6d. per week for two months in each year for every animal, involving an expenditure of £1 per annum for grazing fees alone. This method, besides the extra cost, has also the inconvenience and difficulty of working necessitated by the seasonal requirements of the animal. This farmers stock (twenty cows and one bull) have, with the exception of two old cows, been reared on his farm under the medicinal method of treatment.

Farmer “ D ” and Farmer “ F ” also report satisfactory results from using iron and ammonium citrate scales. The latter farmer cures “ bush-sick ” animals with this medicine.

DISTRICT D (ABOUT 200 FT.).

Farmer “B ” considers his land now quite healthy since topdressing with phosphates and iron sulphate. He formerly used, but now has ceased to use, citrate of iron and ammonium medicinally.

Farmer “ W,” on the same road, uses the citrate with success as a medicine.

DISTRICT E (200 FT.)

Farmer “ M ” speaks highly of the effects of giving each of his cows 2 oz. of the solid scales per day for a period. He does not mind wasting some of the drug, as he says it “ pays him to.” He is a progressive, prosperous farmer, and the fact that since January, 1927, he has bought 126 lb. of the drug from the Stock Office is proof of the genuineness of his testimony. Such men are the pioneers of farming, unafraid to push new methods to the limit. , However, one does not advise quite such heroic treatment to be attempted by others until more is known about-the results of excessive dosage and the possible damage that the cows may suffer, especially when given at critical periods in the life of the cow. It is best to keep to the maximum official dose, which is 2 fluid ounces of a 6-per-cent. solution twice a day for each cow.

DISTRICT F (900 FT.).

Farmer “ M ” is a strong believer both in top-dressing with sulphate of iron and in dosing his cows and calves with iron-ammonium citrate. He has ceased to change his cows to healthier pasture since adopting the new treatment, and is now raising all his own calves. He is now one of the strongest supporters of the iron treatment both for soil and animal. He is a thoroughly practical and successful Scottish farmer. DISTRICT G (ABOUT 500 FT.). Coming to a district remote from the others mentioned, and where it was found that a large amount of the iron compound was being used, the largest user was interviewed. Farmer “V” stated that he was never able to rear his calves until this season, when he had done much better after using iron scales in the milk feed of the calves. Of these, seventeen out of twenty-two were thriving and in good condition. The remaining five calves scoured, but were picking up. The Authoritative Methods. It may be useful to again summarize the full authoritative method of coping with iron-starvation in stock. The following are, the recommendations for farming - lands of the volcanic “ soil -province ” classified as sandy silts and gravelly sands of the Rotorua County (see maps published in the-issues of the Journal for June, 1926, and August, 1927) : • (1) Farm, more highly; get the plough in ; compact the soil; grow plenty of winter feed ; and save plenty of hay. Subdivide into smaller paddocks, and keep the pastures eaten short. Top-dress with phosphatepreferably containing iron or in conjunction with iron sulphate—as frequently as is the practice to top-dress in the Waikato. Treat the stock well, especially in the matter of water-supply. , (2) Use molasses freely in the feeding, especially in rearing young stock. Regard molasses as a preventive, but not as a cure. (3) When an animal shows signs of going back in condition owing to ironhunger, give double Citrate of iron and ammonium as supplied by the Stock Inspectors at Rotorua and Tauranga at cost price to bona fide farmers. The dose for a cattle beast is, 2 fluid ounces of a 6-per-cent. solution twice daily ; 1 lb. of the scales may be dissolved in 13-J pints of water to make this solution. The medicine may be sprinkled on hay or other fodder for ease of administration. For younger animals the dose should be proportionately reduced. (4) Buy any stock required from districts remote from the affected pumice land, and under conditions which ensure that the animals are free from disease or parasitic infection. Lack of the mineral elements is known to predispose an animal to other diseases and ailments, which, when introduced on to a farm on sick country, run a rapid course in the stock.