Care of Livestock during May

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 84, Issue 4, 15 April 1952, Page 268

Care of Livestock during May

Contributed by the Animal Research Division

BLOOD POISONING IN HOGGETS

I? LOOT) poisoning in hoggets grazing on turnips is becoming an increasingly important problem. Deaths occur from infection with the blackleg organism, which probably

gains entry through the mouth. An excellent vaccine, which confers very good immunity, is now available for purchase in New Zealand.

ame lor puraiase 111 new /jCctictiiu. On properties where losses have previously been experienced, hoggets should be vaccinated a fortnight before they are placed on turnips. The nearest Veterinarian or Inspector of Stock should be consulted concerning the method of vaccination.

AUTUMN-SAVED PASTURE

In most districts there is still time to provide good winter grazing by shutting up paddocks and letting them grow during autumn and early winter. Having some

pasture cover on paddocks before the first frosts will assist pasture growth during winter. Autumn-saved pasture

is invaluable for early-calving cows. It also provides the best insurance against sleepy sickness in ewes. If necessary, feed silage to cows now to enable some paddocks to be shut up. Once the ewes have been tupped they are all the better for being done fairly hard until 3 or 4 weeks before lambing. This also will enable some paddocks to be spelled.

UNTHRIFTY CALVES

The best feed for calves is good fresh pasture, and this can be provided by rotating the calves through the cow paddocks. Good-quality hay is necessary to supplement the sappy young autumn pasture. At the first

sign of unthriftiness calves should be drenched with phenothiazine, being given fliA -full dnfip rprnYnmpnrlpd nn +hp Inhpl

tne tun dose recommended on tne laoei. Drenching, however, will not be effective unless the calves are properly fed.

PREVENTION OF SUCKING BY CALVES

Sucking of each other by calves is a habit which should bp broken as soon as it

oe DroKen as soon as 11 is detected. The insertion of a bull ring is effective in most cases.

MILKING MACHINE OVERHAUL

As soon as the cows have been dried off arrangements should be made for the milking machine to be overhauled by an expert. Do not install complicated gadgets, but make sure that all parts of the machine

are working efficiently. This will not only ensure rapid, trouble-free millrino* hut is lilrp.lv tn increase

milking, out is likely to increase production, and will help to reduce mastitis. The Department of Agriculture’s Bulletin No. 260 “Mechanical Milking” should be carefully studied by every dairy farmer.

PURCHASE OF HERD SIRE

If a new herd sire will be required this year, now is the time to make inquiries. The New Zealand Dairy Board issues a Sire Survey and. Merit Register which gives the n rod ncti nn of the daughters of all

proauction oi me uaugnters oi au dairy sires which have been surveyed. Unfortunately very few progeny-tested

sires are available, but the Register should be consulted and wherever possible a bull by a proven sire out of a merit cow should be selected. Bull catalogues are issued annually by the Herd Improvement Association and these, too, should prove of considerable value to dairy farmers who are looking for herd sires. The New Zealand Dairy Board is now developing artificial insemination on a commercial basis and farmers interested in making use of this service should get in touch with their local Herd Improvement Association.

INOCULATION OF DOGS AGAINST DISTEMPER

Distemper in dogs can in a very high percentage of cases be prevented by vaccination. This is best done when the pups are 3 to 4 months of

age. The virus, which has a short life, is imported from

Australia and it is therefore necessary to notify the Veterinarian at least a month before the pups are to be vaccinated.