NOTES AND NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10230, 8 January 1927, Page 3

NOTES AND NEWS.

Water for Dairy Herds. If only for health reasons the provision of an ample supply of pure water for cows in milk must be a decided advantage. Water is hardly less important than food in its influence upon health and, as a secondary result, upon the production of milk. Until quite recently the significance of water in the life and utility of animals had not received the attention it deserved. Now it has become the custom to equip cowhouses with an automatic supply of water, and evidence of a convincing nature has been obtained of the influence of water upon the yielding properties of cows. It is usual to . attribute any notable increase in production to foodstuffs, but the part played by the water supply must not be forgotten. The water supply in and out of doors is often defective on dairy farms, and when this is the case it rs probable that cattle and other stock are at a disadvantage which no readjusting of the solid diet can remove. The most progressive minds in. the industry are as insistent upon a proper supply of water as upon solid rations, and although it may sometimes be rather costly to lay on water to the cowsheds it will pay to investigate the question carefully. It is easy to limit the value of a ration by neglecting the provision of an ample supply of water. The question is vital for dairy farmers and is also important to owners of grazing stock, especially young animals.

Bovine Tuberculosis. The occurrence of bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand is referred to as follows in the annual report of the Live Stock Division for 1925-26: “The condemnations of cattle on clinical examination and as a result of the tuberculin test, numbered 4692, being a decrease on the previous year's figure of 189. The distribution of the stock condemned was:— Auckland, 2852; Wellington (including Taranaki and Hawke’s Day), 1808 ; Canterbury-West, 367 ; OtagoSouthland, 165. The use of the tuberculin test lor diagnostic purposes was availed of to the number of .8725 head of cattle. An analysis of the results of the examination of carcases on slaughter at freezing works and abattoirs during the year discloses a decrease of 0.35 per cent, in the number of cattle found affected with tubercular disease. The number of cattle (excluding calves) examined was 364,572, of which 5.16 per cent, were found to be affected in varying degrees, a considerable number only very slightly. In the case of swine, a decrease of 0.50 per cent, is disclosed. The number of swine examined 1 was 366,269, of which 31,420, or 8.57 per cent, were found to be affected in varying degrees, arid, as in the case of cattle, a considerable number.only slightly. These figures indicate that an improvement on the past year has taken place, which it is trusted will be maintained and improved on in the years to come. While this disease is responsible for considerable monetary, loss to producers in this Dominion, it is nevertheless satisfactory to note that it is held in check by our system of inspection and condemnation of all the live animals showing symptoms of the disease, and also the free use of the tuberculin test for diagnostic purposes. As has been previously mentioned, bovine tuberculosis is most prevalent in low-lying, wet or swampy areas, and generally unless a system of efficient draining can be introduced to those areas the incidence of tuberculosis may be expected to continue.” ■ |

There is no other farm crop whose quality varies so widely as that of hay, and there is no other live stock fodder whose quality has such a pronounced effect good or bad, on the health of farm animals that consume it.

When requiring Romney rams to improve and even the wool on rough flocks, the error is often made of using fine-woolcd rams. My experience has been that a strong and weighty wool of 44’s, and even in quality, with crimp right to the .tip will improve and even a flock to better advantage than fine wool.— (E. E. Short, Fielding).

Maize meal is a splendid fattener of pigs, but it should not exceed 39 per cent, of the ration, otherwise the quality of the pork will be inferior. A goodly percentage of ground oats. crushed oats or oatmeal to replace part at least of the maize during the final stage of ‘fattening will go far to improve the quality of the pork. No finer quality of pork or bacon .is produced than when the pigs are fed on a ration consiting lagely of ground oats and skim or separated milk.

In my opinion, the Romney ram for general purposes should be a well-built sheep, short in the legs, bringing him close to the ground; a deep body and we!l r ,sprung rib ; good over shoulders; neck well set in level with back; also a good flat, wide loin. He should possess a good head, stand well on bis legs and have good quality bone. A sheep of this description, well-covered with a good quality wool, even throughout, a decided staple and softhandling wool is what is required to-day for the mutton and avool trade and for general purposes.—(G. E. Allen. Master ton).

Canterbury farmers have experienced a very satisfactory lambing season, as the following example will illustrate on one of the biggest farms in theprovince :—A line of 1600 ewes had-130 per cent, of lambs, and the whole 3000 .ewes on the farm averaged 120 per cent, of lambs. Feed .is plentiful everywhere and stock are generally in first-class condition. A mid-Canterbury farmer reports unusual cases of' prolific breeding among his ewes this season. Two of his ewes had four lambs each, while at least a dozen more ewes presented their owner with triplets.

It is a well-known fact that had hay will change a horse’s appearance in two days, even when supplied with' a full ration of sound oats. The urine becomes perfectly transparent, and is discharged very frequently in great quantities. The horse sooij becomes hidebound and weak, and his thirst is excessive; If the bad hay is fed to the horse for some time it will in the end entirely rjuin his constitution.. Although the evil effects of bad hay on other live stock are riot so noticeable, it is very definite nevertheless.. 4; ' •: • ; ' “C '■