The Ordway new era., 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 AS
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 as reaching S212,-
100000 This sum, say specialists of
the United States department of agri-
culture, would supply the entire Amer
lean expeditionary force of 100000
men with meat for nearly a 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
mics of live stock by sanitation and
the use of modern preventive methods
that science has provided mus be
made to see the Importance and profit
which will come as a result of chang
ing their conditions. A better under
standing of feeds and feeding prac-
tices will prevent many of the common
disorders of the digestive and respira-
tory tracts which are common among
all classes of live stock. Losses. from
such accidents as horn wounds,
bruises, wire cuts, harness sores, and
broken legs, in most instances, are
properly chargeable to neglect or care
lessness.
The selection of breeds adapted to
the climate and local conditions under
which they must exist, as 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-
tions of cold climates, while the light
er, less fieshy breeds thrive better In
warmer localities. Mountain types are
better adapted for hilly grazing lands,
aclose-wooled sheep for cold regions.
land the Open-fleeced breeds for warm
er climates.
In purchasing stock it is advisable
to find out what attention the seller
gives to the health of his animals.
Consult some of his customers. If he
is openly opposed to the tuberculin
test, for example, or objects to the
physical examination of horses for
soundness by qualified veterinarian.
1t may be for purely selfish motives.
AS soon us animals are suspected
of being affected with disease, especi-
ally IL 1t is thought to be a communi-
cable disease, they should be separated
from healthy animals and be held in
quarantine until this condition has
been determined and remedied.
The proper handling of animals has
an important bearing upon maintain
ing their health and resistance to dis
cases. Good equipment and high-grade
stock are not enough. The animals
should be handled by an attendant who
has certain natural qualifications for
his work.
Every state agricultural college
maintains n corps of specialists who
are willing and well qualified to help
stockmen promote the health of their
live stock. The United States depart
ment of agriculture is constantly CIV
Ing out important Information in the
form Of bulletins, which are available
on request, and in every state has rep
resentatives employed In combating an