NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 74, Issue 2, 15 February 1947, Page 155

NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

'T’HE twenty-third annual conference of the New Zealand -*• Veterinary Association was held in Wellington on November 20 and 21 last year and at the Animal Research Station, Wallaceville, on November 22. About 60 members from various parts of the Dominion attended. - In opening the conference, Mr. E. J. Fawcett, DirectorGeneral of Agriculture, said that the livestock industry was fundamental to the prosperity of New Zealand and that an efficient veterinary service was essential for the protection and the proper development of the industry. The New Zealand Veterinary Association had grown from 22 members in 1923 to more than 100 at present. The most rapid expansion had occurred in very recent years through the development of the Veterinary Club Movement, and there were now 41 members engaged by veterinary clubs compared with 11 in 1943. The year 1946 was an important one in veterinary history in New Zealand, Mr. Fawcett continued, because of the passing of the Veterinary Services Act. The Act ensured the continuity of veterinary services for the farmer and at the same time afforded a measure of security for the profession. The Veterinary Club Movement, particularly, would be stabilised and extended by the provisions of the Act. * . The number of veterinary surgeons in New Zealand was not considered adequate for a country 'so dependent on livestock, and the veterinary services committee had estimated a need for at least 250; other estimates were even higher. There were at present more than 60 young New Zealanders overseas studying veterinary science, most of them at Sydney University, and when they completed their 5 years of study they would become available to extend veterinary work in this country. Addresses by Members Mr. A. H. Ward, Director of Herd Improvement, New Zealand Dairy Board, in an address on “Animal Breeding,” outlined the present methods of breeding dairy stock overseas and in New Zealand. In view of the importance of combining disease resistance, fertility, and length of working life with producing qualities, emphasis was rapidly swinging to the use of records for cows and to the progeny test for bulls. Denmark had demonstrated the success of this method, which had been applied since early in the present century, as she now had the highest production per cow of any major dairying country. Mr. Ward stressed the need for a modern outlook on pedigree breeding and emphasised the role of the veterinary surgeon in assisting breeders with advice on sound methods. Several new methods were now being used in an attempt to speed up improvement of dairy cattle overseas, the chief of these being artificial insemination. Because it would not be possible to show the farmer any

considerable saving in cost, it was not likely that this method would become commercially widespread in New Zealand, but it was of considerable importance to the pedigree breeder in making the best use of outstanding bulls in the Dominion. - Dr. C. P. McMeekan, Superintendent of the Ruakura Animal Research Station, speaking on “Pasture as a Food for Cattle and Sheep in New Zealand,” pointed out the high production of good fodder from New Zealand pastures that was obtained under proper management and control. Seasonal variations in yield occurred, but generally with both cattle and sheep the periods of highest yield coincided with the highest demands for food for production of milk or fat lambs. Excess production could be conserved for use in leaner seasons of the year. A paper read by Dr. I. J. Cunningham, Superintendent, Animal Research Station, Wallaceville, on “Are Mineral Licks Necessary in New Zealand?” appeared in the January issue of the “Journal Messrs. A. D. M. G. Laing, I. G. Mclntosh, and J. M. Stewart described the occurrence of nitrite poisoning in stock fed mangolds, variegated thistle, or oat sheaf hay; Mr. J. G. Gerring explained an unusually high incidence of actino-bacillosis on new pastures grown on deeply-burnt peat; Messrs. W. M. Webster and R. W. Roach described the treatment of mastitis in dairy cows by penicillin; Dr. C. V. Gomez outlined some of the pitfalls of veterinary practice. Field Day at Wallaceville , The programme at Wallaceville on November 22 included movie films showing research work carried on at Wallaceville, other special films, and lecturettes by members of the station staff. The lecturettes covered work on “trace” elements (cobalt, copper, or iodine, which occur in fodder and in animals in minute amounts but which nevertheless | are of enormous importance); the use of radio-active elements in research on animal disease; poultry diseases in New Zealand; and a brief review of bee and honey research. Members of the Association spent the afternoon examining the many interesting and instructive displays at Wallaceville illustrating the work being carried out there. | Election of Officers The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr. J. Hill-Motion, Palmerston North; vicepresidents, Dr. J. F. Filmer, Wellington, and Mr. J. P. James, Ruakura; council, Dr. I. J. Cunningham, Wallaceville, Mr. A. Leslie, Eltham, and Mr. G. MacDonald, Cambridge; hon. secretary, Mr. L. W. N. Fitch, Wallaceville; hon. treasurer, Mr. J B. Swan, Wallaceville; editor, Dr. I. J. Cunningham, Wallaceville. Mr. G. MacDonald, veterinary surgeon to the Cambridge Veterinary Club, was appointed a representative of the Association on the Veterinary Services Council.