CARE OF LIVESTOCK DURING DECEMBER

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 79, Issue 5, 15 November 1949, Page 420

CARE OF LIVESTOCK DURING DECEMBER

Contributed by the Animal Research Division.

DAIRY COW NUTRITION

THE year’s production can be materially affected by feed conditions during summer. Cows fed poorly now not only produce less milk during

summer, but will dry off earlier in autumn. Dairy statistics show that long lactation is very im-

portant, so start feeding silage or other supplementary milk-producing fodders as soon as pasture begins to dry off. Do not wait for milk production to show a material fall. * * *

CARE OF EWES AND FAT LAMBS

As each lot of lambs is sold draft off their mothers together with any dry ewes which may remain in the flock. If feed is short and the

ewes have very little milk, it usually pays to wean all the lambs, which can then be

given the best grazing available. The ewes should be shorn and those which are to be retained should be placed on short pasture with ample water. This will help to reduce their condition and will result in a better lambing percentage next season.

If ewes with lambs are to be shorn, every effort must, be made to reduce the time during SHEARING l am bs are away from the . ewes, as it is easy to dry off ewes at this time of the year. They should be brought to the shed in small mobs and should be dagged before reaching the board. ■*. * * .

FOOT-ROT CAN BE ERADICATED

Farmers who wish to eradicate foot-rot from

their flocks should read the Department of Agriculture’s Bulletin No. 325.

This is the season in which the eradication campaign must be planned. •

PIG FEEDING

. Sows should be brought into the house a week or two before farrowing and fed up to 6 gallons of milk per day, but this should be reduced to 2

gallons plus bran, if available, on the due date. Watch for signs of constipation in heavy, in-pig sows.

Baconers from spring litters should be sold as sow feed requirements increase, as it is important not to starve the sows and litters. These sows require 6 gallons of milk plus an additional gallon for each pig in the litter. . Meal may replace part of this ration at the rate of lib. of meal for every gallon of milk. Orders for meal supplies for next spring should now be placed with the merchants. * * *

COWS RETURNING CO V< tttp t ING TO THE BULL

If cows are returning to service, examine the mating records to see if any particular bull is to blame. If so, get a Veterinarian or Stock Inspector

to collect . a semen sample for examination. Be careful in purchasing replaceful m purchasing replace-

ment bulls. If possible, buy a young bull that has not been used previously. Never buy a bull in the saleyard unless his full history is known. Washing out. cows seldom helps and may cause trouble if irritant fluids such as kerosene.are used. It often pays to consult a Veterinarian as soon as the cows are noticed returning to service in unusual numbers. He cannot be expected to diagnose the trouble months later. * * *

FOWL POX

So-called roup is often fowl pox. Send specimens to the Animal Research Station,

Wallaceville, for diagnosis. Outbreaks of this disease can be prevented by vaccination, full details of which may be

obtained from the nearest Poultry Instructor of the Department of Agriculture. * * *

ZINC POISONING IN PIGS

The zinc lining of new galvanised pipes may be dissolved by dairy by-products flowing through

them and 'the by-products then prove poisonous when fed to pigs. Consult the

nearest Veterinarian before making a newinstallation.