Care of Livestock during February

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 84, Issue 1, 15 January 1952, Page 26

Care of Livestock during February

Contributed by the Animal Research Division

PREPARATIONS FOR TUPPING

TF the ewes have been held on short pasture since weaning, they should now be in good hard condition. About 14 days before tupping they should be crutched and given the best pasture available. This will

ensure that they are rising in condition at the time of mating, which is

one of the most important factors in providing a good lambing percentage. Rams, too, should be crutched and flushed for about 3 weeks before tupping. They should be dipped before this flushing period, as dipping too close to tupping appears to reduce ram fertility.

nuiiii xoiaiiu a COBALT DEFICIENCY

Bush sickness can be prevented completely by topdressing annually with cobaltised superphosphate, and in the North Island at least this is best applied in the usual

CIL ALCIdL LIIJLO IO ULOI appilbU 11l Lilt- lADU-dA autumn topdressing. Cobaltised superphosphate prepared in North Island works contains 31b. of cobalt sulphate per ton;

2cwt. of this fertiliser contains sufficient cobalt for 1 acre. In the South Island cobaltised superphosphate contains 61b. of cobalt' sulphate per ton, and lewt. of this fertiliser per acre contains sufficient cobalt. If greater quantities of fertiliser than those indicated are used, the additional amount need not be cobaltised. For fuller details consult the Department of Agriculture’s Bulletin No. 180.

SOWS AND WEANERS

Sows which are to be remated should receive 6 gallons of milk per day for the first month after the litters are weaned. This will greatly facilitate getting them in pig.

Weaners should be fed up to lib. of meal per day, as fast growth in the earlier stages means heavier pigs when the milk supply fails. Pens showing deterioration of pasture

should be harrowed and surface sown or ploughed in preparation for a crop.

FACIAL ECZEMA

If warm rains fall in February after a spell of hot, dry weather, facial eczema is likely to occur in districts which are usually affected. Experience during recent years has

shown conclusively that the disease can be prevented by shutting sheep up at the rate of at least 100 to the acre as soon as the rains

’ fall, and keeping them so confined until .the weather becomes either hot and dry or much cooler and the pasture visibly hardens. If dry periods occur, plans should be made for action along these lines: Good hay at the rate of 21b. per sheep per day will prevent loss of condition. If crops of rape, kale, turnips, or chou moellier are available, they can be grazed safely during the dangerous period. The grazing of such crops is the only satisfactory way of preventing the disease in lambs, which react badly to restricted grazing. Lucerne has not proved safe, possibly because of ryegrass, which is frequently present as a weed.

PULLORUM DISEASE IN POULTRY

Preparations should be made- now for the autumn hatch by blood testing the poultry flock for pullorum disease and

by cleaning and fumigating the incubators. A vacuum cleaner is ideal for the cleaning work, and

advice on fumigation may be obtained from the local Poultry Instructor.

COWS RETURNING TO THE BULL

If several cows return to the bull at long, irregular intervals and some . abort early in pregnancy. (2 to 3 months), trichomoniasis may be the cause, and veterinary

advice should be sought. There are many different reasons, apart from trichomoniasis, for cows fail-

ing to get in calf at the desired time. Any one reason or a combination of causes can result in herd infertility, which may be impossible to correct during the short mating period. A diagnosis now will help in preventing similar trouble next season.

CARE OF CALVES

Autumn is a critical period for calves. Deaths during winter can be eliminated by rotating the calves through the paddocks ahead of the cows at intervals of 3 or 4 days.

If this is not being done, it should be begun immediately. Calves treated in such a way will be up to 1001 b. heavier as yearlings than those

.V J kept confined in a calf paddock. If calves are unthrifty and scouring, it may be necessary to give 2 or 3 doses of phenothiazine at 3-weekly intervals, but this is seldom necessary with calves which are rotationally grazed.

COPPER DEFICIENCY

Scouring in cattle and staggering in lambs grazing on peat land can be prevented by topdressing the pastures in

autumn with 51b. of bluestone per acre. Copperised superphosphate is now availf able or the bluestone may be mixed with lime. For fuller particulars the Depart-

ment of Agriculture’s Bulletin No, 238 should be consulted.