The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-02-12
GUARD HEALTH
OF LIVESTOCK,
ADVICE GIVEN
DR.. Schalk, Veterinarian at
Az College, Says Study
Should BE Made
MUST WATCH CLOSELY

Fargo n. D., Feb. l2.-Thc old pro-
verb which says that "The watchfuI
eye of the shepherd fattens his
flock" should be modified to read {:
sit helps to detect the first symp-
toms OF disease" said DR.. A. +.
Schalk, veterinarian at the North Da-
kota Agricultural college in Il radio
program recently broadcnsted from
the college station.
"Hundreds Of North Dakota farm
ers are planning on going into i've .
stock if the Coulter bin passes" the
veterinarian said, land it is impor-
tant that they watch the health of
the animals they purchase"
"All classes of livestock show by
their bearing and general appear
ance that most desirable condition
known as good health. When we see
animals with bright eye, glossy
hair-coat, soft pliablc skin, good APP
petite and in state of contentment
we recognize at once that they are
healthy. On the other hand, if they
show Il dull, sunken eye, detected
facial expression, a coarse, rough
hair-coat, hidebound skin and little
or no inclination to eat or remain
in the vicinity of the herd or flock,
they are unwell and have some dis
ease condition"
Herdsmen and caretakers declare,
according to DR.. Schalk, that it is
necessary for cattle and sheep to
chew their cud, for pigs to have a
sharp, wcll-developed curl in their
tails, for cattle to have an abundance
of moisture on the muZZle and
warmth at the base of the horns, and
for barnyard fowls to have plenty of
color in their combs and wattlcs.
This is not superstition, DR..
Schalk assured, but basic principles
Of health that every prospective
purchaser of livestock should learn.
perhaps no other phase of animal
hygiene of health is of more vital
Importance than the selection of
sound healthy breeding stock he
continued. AT this time when
large number of our heretofore
small-grain farmers are planning
start in livestock in an endcavor to
balance their agriculture, too much
stress cannot be placed upon this
very important problem.
"In many instances it will be
matter of selecting stock for foun-
dation purposes and great care
should be taken to obtain only
healthy animals for the beginning.
The question is equally impor-
tant, however, in new additions to
small herds and flocks in the pro-
cess of building or those already
established. IL you make practice
of purchasing only sound and Wig
orous animals, free from disease, the
task of keeping them in healthy
condition will not be so difficult.
AS we meet with INSCRIPTIONS
breeders of livestock, as we'll as in
other lines of business, it is good
policy to buy from those who have
well-established regulations for
square dealings and clean healthy
animals.
while it is not always possible
to select animals free from disease,
many precautions can be taken to
safeguard ones purchases. Among
the more probable disease to be en-
countered in breeding cattle are
those of tuberculosis, abortion dis
eases, sterility and udder troubles,
any of which would render the ami
NAL practically worthless for breed
ing purposes.
Fortunately the dangers from tu-
bercuiosis are being gradually lessen
ed, as both state and federal regu-
lations make it necessary that breed
ing cattle should be accompanied by
health certificates showing their free
dom from this disease before thew
can enter into interstate sh pment or
come into the state. However, one
can easily bring in the disease in the
purchase of grade cattle within the
state that have not been tested. In
the case of abortion disease, it is
well to purchase only from herds
that you know to be free from that
disease. If that cannot be deter
mined in advance, you have access
to one of the blood tests.
I'm selecting cattle great care
should be exercised in the examina-
ton of the udder. This is particu-
larry true Of dairy cows, as their
udders are their chief assets. Aside
from such defects as hard mixers,
lump or spide in the teats and
atrophied or sshrunken quarters
which tend to lessen their efficiency
in milk production, special caution
should be taken not to pick out
COWS harborine an active case of
garget or infection of the udder."