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carcity, stock cannot develop so rapidly as in good years, and a certain
number remain permanently stunt ed, and have to be cast and sold at very
unremunerative prices.
Up to the present amongst the male stock, upon which the farm depends,
for its main source of revenue, it has been possible to keep the losses due to
this cause at a low figure, but I have not been able to feed the heifers on the
same generous scale, and I fear a number will never attain full development.
4. Except for the famine the year has been a successful one. The
number of bulls issued to district boards easily beat all previous records as
regards number, and the quality of the animals issued was well up to that of
previous years.
The actual receipts for the year amounted to Rs. 97,388-14-6 and would
have exceeded one lac of rupees, except for the fact that the money due for
several animals sold during the year was not received till after 31st March.
Had these sums been received in time, and had the bulls issued to district
boards been charged for at the valuation committee's figure of Rs. 400 each,
the receipts would have amounted to 1,28,000 rupees.
5. In August the farm was visited by some cattle-breeders from
Brazil who purchased 16 young male stock at the rate laid down by the valua-
tion committee, and one 6 year old herd bull for Rs. 1,000. In view of their
willingness to pay Rs. 1,000 for the bull, which was not a very exceptional
animal, and of the high prices which south American and other importers of
pedigree stock are in the habit of paying, I do not doubt that the above
gentlemen would have been pleased to pay much higher prices than were
asked, especially as they were anxious to obtain 80 young bulls, and were very
disappointed at being only allowed to purchase 17. The above was the
second occasion on which these same Brazilian breeders have visited India,
and made purchases from the farm; and, were there stock to spare, I have no
doubt an excellent market for them could be found in south America.
By order of the Punjab government one other bull was sold to go
abroad, viz., to Perak.
Contagious diseases.
6. As regards contagious diseases the farm has again
been very fortunate.
The following occurred:—
(a) Black quarter—Was by far the most serious disease of the year,
29 deaths being recorded from it as against 12 last year. The
number of cases reached alarming proportions in September
amongst the male stock at Chhaoni, 18 deaths occurring in
12 days. Careful segregation of the affected herds, and the
isolation of areas in the Bir suspected to carry infection,
fortunately sufficed to check the outbreak. All the above 18
animals had been inoculated with the Muktesar black quarter
vaccine in pillule form. As a routine practice all the farm
cattle stock are inoculated in this way as a precautionary
measure at the time they are weaned. It is worthy of record
that 3 deaths occurred from this disease in unweaned animals,
which had not been inoculated, aged between 3 and 5
months. The disease is supposed to be very rare in unweaned
calves under 6 months of age.
(b) Strangles—Was a source of much trouble and annoyance for
a great part of the year. Beginning on August 4th cases
continued to occur up to January 20th Some of the cases
were of unusual severity and 2 died. A large number of cases
occurred amongst unweaned foals in which the disease is
particularly troublesome and dangerous, as, if severe, the foal
is unable to keep his head in the position necessary to suck,
and its growth and development are retarded.