Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1926-03-24
CAUSES OF LOSS
IN MARKETING OF
LIVESTOCK TOLD
BY DR.. CHARLES KEANE
Associate Chief. Division of Anima

; ASSoclaIc inner. DIVISION OF \ nlmal
Industry, State Dept of Agri.
j With the approaching warm
months. and the consequent great
er hazards in safety and successful.
~ shipping livestock, il is well to
bear in mind the many causes of
I loss and injury to animals which oc-
eur between the producer, feeder
and Slaughterer. The marketing of
livestock may be said to originate
on the farm. and the losses sustain
ed hv the breeder or feeder. many
of which are prcvcntable. amount
TO no inc0nSiderahlc figure. 1t is
said that five per cent of our live
stock die before thcv reach matur-
ity aud are ready for the slaugh-
tcrer: while the loss from injuries
and deaths between the farm and
the >laughterer are also sufficient-
~ serious To warrant our attention.
Lack Of care and improper feed
ing undoubtedly cause more losses
ON the farm than disease. conse-
quentlv much of this loss may be
avoided. Livestock. like people.
must be provided with sufficient
exercise, fresh air, properly baLnc
ed food rations and plenty of good
fresh water ut all times in order to
thrive and be healthy. Whenever
possible. pasturage. natures feed,
should be provided. particularly for
growing animals. Whatever addi-
tional feed is furnished should be
given with we'll defined purpose
in view. Above all things abrupt
"hangeS in feed should he avoided.
Where rations arc t. he radically
changed Il is good practice to ac-.
custom the animals gradually there
TO. Abrupt changes frcr dry to
~ cen r"ughaoc and vi.c-versa are
alwavS dangerous. The severe losses
IN stock and feeder cattle. as well as
sheen. which frequently occur after
these animals are shipped into Cal
ifornia from other states. or from
Owe part of California to another. is
often inc 70 sudden Feeding oranges
The practice of taking a hungry
hnnch of cattle or sheen off the
E.. ars IA driving thcm to rlo raneE
and Immediately turning them into
abundant feed is ALWAYS fraught
with danger. Department of Agri
veterinarians. when called
10 determine the cause of deaths in
where some infections dis
ease is suspected. frequently find
the trouble due to faulty feeding
co"ditionS
Whom Shipning animals it is i'm
nortant that the feed he cut down
for n least twelve hours prior 70
loadin" on the ears or Trucks. II Is
hnttor to reduce the feed by at least
fifty ncrcent and this applies To al
classes of livestock. They should he
allowed free access 70 water mp TO
three hours before loading.
Animals should h" driven SLOWLY
TO the loading eorrals. giving them
annie time 10 prevent overheat'ng |
aud exhaustion. Heavy swine |
~horll he hauled to the railroad in
trucks.
The cars should be carefully ex-
amined 70 see that all parts are
TIGHT and rronerlv constructed. Ami !
walls shin host whom the ears arc |
furnished with n liberal supply of !
ahsorhont bedding that will provide |
= footing. such as sand or straw. /
20" example.
Sand is hes. in tho warm weather
:, raw in cold weather. If swine
arr hcing Skinned in very warm
'roathor and thcv become overh"a'
e or cvon warm. do not hose them
1"yvn with cold water: wet the car
Floor ;nstcad.
Tnlosd the cars "a .C"ulI7' but
9. owe ~ = should be remembered
.t"r '"jhin" aan he gained ~ rush
iow these arimals on new coed