The state herald., 1919-01-31
PREVENT LOSSES
Of LIVE STOCK
Three-Fourths Of a $500, 900, 900
Loss by Disease and Acct
dent Is PreventabIe.
PROPER CARE Is NECESSARY
Closer Cooperation Between Owners
and Those In Position to Give A.
sIstance Needed to Control
Different Ailments.

Losses of live stock from diseases,
accident and other causes, probably
three-fourths Of which are preventable
by proper preventive measures and
modern veterinary practice. amount to
enormous sums each year-in 1915
they were estimated us reaching $212.-
100000. This sum. say specialists Of
the United States department of agri-
culture, would supply the entire Amer
lean expeditionary force Of 2.000,00O
men with meat for nearly year. To
these losses may be added others
which, though indirect, are neverthe-
less AS important. The discourage
ment of stock raising Is one indirect
loss and this In turn retards the de-
velopment Of diversified agriculture.
Cooperation Needed.
Although much Is being accomplish
ed In the control and eradication Of
destructive animal diseases. the best
results can be fully realized only
through closer cooperation between
the live stock owner and those who
are In position to give him assistance.
The stockmen who fail to realize the
necessity Of fighting the unseen enc
niles Of live stock by sanitation and
the use Of modern preventive methods
that science has provided must be
made to see the Importance and profit
which will come MS n result OF chang
Ing their conditions. A better under
nf
tices will prevent many OF the common
disorders Of the digestive and respirn-
tory tracts which are common among
NIL classes Of live stock. Losses from
such accidents MS horn wounds
bruises, wire cuts. harness sores. and
broken legs. In most instances, are
properly chargcable TO neglect or care
lessness.
The selection of breeds adapted to
the climate and local conditions under
which they must exist. ns well as the
selection for the foundation stock. is
important In maintaining health.
Heavy beef and dairy types are better
suited to withstand the trying condi-
tlons OF cold climates. while the light.
rr. less fieshy breeds thrive better In
warmer localities. Mountain types are
better adapted for hIlly grazing lands,
closc-wooled sheep for cold regions
md the open.Hecccd breeds for warm
cr climates.
In purchasing stock II ls advisable
10 find out what attention the seller
gives TO the health OF his animals.
Consult some Of his customers. II he
Is openly opposed 10 the tuberculin
test. for example. or objects TO the
physical examination Of horses for
soundncss by n qualified veterinarian.
II may be for purely selfish motives.
As soon ns animals are suspected
~ being affected with disease. especi.
aiiy II II In thought 10 be communi.
cnble disease. they should be separated
from healthy animals md be held In
quarantine until this condition has
been determined and remcdied.
The proper handling OF animals has
mn Important bcnrlng upon maintain
Ing their health and resistance TO dis
rnscs. Good equipment and hIgh.gvadc
stock are not enough. The animals
should be handled by nm attendant who
has certain natural qualifications for
his work.
Every state agricultural college
mnlptuins n corps Of specialists who
are willing and well qualified to help
stockmcn promote the health Of their
live stock. The United Stntcs depart.
ment Of agriculture Il constantly CIV
Ing out important Information In tho
form Of bulletins, which are available
on request, and Ia every state has rep
rcsentatlves employed In cowbat'ss an.