H.—29

Anthrax. —It is to bo regretted that an outbreak occurred during the year on ;i dairy-farm in the Northern VVairoa district. In all, eleven head of cattle died. Unfortunately, before it was reported a number of cows had already died and been cut up, thus seriously contaminating almost every part of the farm. Mammitis. —Reports from the various districts where dairying is extensively carried on go to show that the incidence of this disease has not diminished to any appreciable extent, and the number of dairy cows which the dairy-farmer is compelled to reject on account of bad and faulty quarters is still far too high. The mammitis-control scheme inaugurated by the scientific workers at Wallaceville is still in force. It was felt by many dairy-farmers that to carry out the scheme in its entirety was a task beyond their capabilities, but at the same time there are many who claim that by putting the scheme into operation in their herds they have been rewarded, and that the number of cases of mammitis has been very considerably reduced. For those who arc willing to give the scheme a fair trial I am satisfied that considerable benefit will be derived. Much may be done to lessen the incidence of this disease if only dairy-farmers in general will pay more attention to the sanitary conditions of their sheds and surroundings, and the cleanliness of their milking machines and manipulation, also the rotation with which they are placed on the cows. Every farmer can by careful manipulation and examination of the milk sacretion tell when a cow is suffering from mammitis. By this means he can regulate the order of the cows coming into the shed. Animals whose udders are free from disease should be milked first and the affected cows milked afterwards in rotation according to the degree of infection, and at no time should the teat-cup be placed on an affected quarter. If this procedure is cariied out, combined with proper sanitary precautions, it will go a long way to lessen the incidence of the disease. Contagious Abortion. —Reports from all districts indicate that this disease is less in evidence than formerly. This suggests that a high degree of immunity has been attained amongst our herds. Although the disease is still in evidence in all dairying districts, in no district did it assume alarming propensities. The agglutination test has been largely availed of, and, as the District Superintendent, Wellington, remarks, " There is a notable trend on the part of dairy-farmers to put into practice the precautionary measures recommended regarding isolation and disinfection of the aborting cow. Dairy-farmers are also making more use of the agglutination test. This is commendable, showing as it does a greater desire on their part to control the disease." Sterility. —Reports from all districts indicate that this trouble is still very much in evidence and is the source of considerable loss and annoyance to many dairy-farmers. Experimental work has been carried out by the scientific workers of this Division on the genital organs of the bull, and while this indicates that the bull is responsible for a considerable percentage of cows failing to get in calf he cannot be held responsible for all cases. The pathological and bacteriological aspect of this complaint lias received considerable alt mtion, while the functional aspect has been somewhat neglected. With regard to this the District Superintendent, Dunedin, remarks that very little is known about the physiology of reproduction, genetical influences, influence of environment, and methods of feeding. With reference to methods of feeding it is surprising that many of our dairy-farmers still fail to provide sufficient sustenance to carry their herds through the winter properly, with the result that the herds come to the milking season in anything but a lit condition. Again, the calves in many instances are badly reared and with difficulty get through the first year (if their existence. In addition to this owners of dairy herds are looking for increased production year by year. Under these conditions it is only to be expected that the general functions of the body are somewhat impaired. Observations made in the field point to the fact that where the dairy herd is properly looked after all the year round, and any mineral requirement lacking is supplied, the incidence of this trouble is considerably lessened. Anent this the District Superintendent, Wellington, remarks: " Leaving aside the question of certain specific causes, which no doubt in many instances are responsible, I feel that the incidence of this trouble could be materially lessened if improved conditions of feed and shelter were maintained in the herd during the most trying period of the dairy cow's existence —namely, midwinter." Parasitic Disease in Young Cattle. —The incidence of this condition has been less in evidence during the past season than for many years, probably due to climatic conditions. Dosing with a solution of bluestonc, together with supplementary feeding, gives the best results. Redwater. —Due to better management of the pastures, so-called redwater is not so much in evidence as formerly. A few cases were seen in the Rotorua district, where the stock were feeding on turnips, and one outbreak was noticed in the Marlborough district where the cows were depastured on rough herbage of a poor type. Until such time as improvement in pasture conditions is brought about on the one hand, or the feeding on turnip: is balanced by a nitrogenous diet, we can look for recurrences of this trouble. Eclampsia (Grass Staggers). —With the exception of the Waikato district, this disease has not been so much in evidence as in previous seasons. Investigation is still being made by the scientific workers of this Division, but as far as treatment is concerned the best results in this direction, such as they are, have been obtained from the administration of chloral hydrate. It is worthy of note that the disease is more frequently seen on those farms which are well cultivated and receiving and give a luxuriant growth as the result of a liberal top-dressing of phosphates. There is also a definite relationship with feeding on new fresh pastures. It has come under the observation of the District Superintendent, Auckland, that where pastures had been shut up for some time milking stock was liable to suffer when placed thereon. That was brought out in several herds where from five to eight cows were affected on the second and third day after being placed on such pastures. This would point to some lack of balance in the food supply.

12