Care of Livestock during May

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 90, Issue 4, 15 April 1955, Page 374

Care of Livestock during May

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 milking, but

is likely to increase production and will help to reduce mastitis.

BLOOD POISONING IN HCGGETS

Blood poisoning in hoggets grazing on turnips is becoming an increasingly important problem. Deaths occur from infection with the blackleg organism, which 1 LT.. • '

probably gains entry through, the mouth. An excellent vaccine, which confers very good immunity, can now be bought in. New Zea-

land. On properties where there have been previous losses hoggets should be vaccinated a fortnight before they are placed on turnips. The nearest Veterinarian or Livestock Instructor should be consulted about 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 w 'nter. Autumn-saved pasture is invaluable for early calving

cows. It also provides the best insurance against sleepy sickness in ewes. If necessary, silage should be fed 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 sannv vounff autumn nasture.

At the first sign of unthriftiness calves should be drenched with phenothiazine,

being given the full dose recommended on the label. 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

be broken as soon as it is detected. The insertion of a bull ring is effective in most

cases.

INOCULATION OF DOGS AGAINST DISTEMPER

old. . The virus has a short life and must be specially : ordered. The Veterinarian'

Distemper in,many dogs can be prevented by vaccination. This is best done when the pups are 3 to 4 months

'- should therefore be notified at least a month before the pups are to be vaccinated.

RED WORMS IN HORSES

Red worms - can seriously reduce the efficiency of working horses and are responsible for many deaths in foals. - Phenothiazine is a very..effective remedy, but is best given under veterinary supervision, as in certain conditions it may

' prove: dangerous. ? Treatment should be administered before winter.: :