Askov American., 1940-05-30
Com mon Sense
Methods Needed
Sanitation Important in
Care of and Raising of
Livestock for Profit.

AlVCStOCA 1OT L TOllls
Spring is the hope season. New
chicks, calves, pigs, lambs or colts
arouse hope for profit during the
coming year.
County Agent Max McMillin relates
that in the past these hopes have all
to-often been shattered by worms
and diseases that cause large losses
of animals and investment Much
needed dollars are spent each year
on connections and "quick cures" of
doubtful value, so Mr.. McMillin has
secured tips and advice on this sub
ject for Pine county farmers from
w. A. Billings, extension veterinarian,
University Farm, St. Paul.
Information Wanted.
Mr.. Billings says that in another
month or so the letters start coming
to him from all directions, asking
what to do about pigs that have
scours, worms, NEGRO or mango. Baby
chicks are reported dying from such
diseases as coccidiosis and worms.
By and by the lambs may show signs
of intestinal worms too.
"In an effort to forestan heavy
losses, the owners often resort to in
cure-alls designed to cure
or eradicate these diseases" Mr.. Bill
ings continued. 'Their record, how
ever, is far from impressive. If they
did only half what is claimed for
them, we would all get on the band
wagon and preach their acceptance.
The fact of the matter is, thousands
of dollars are squandered each year
on fly-by-night concoctions. One adj
vertising leaflet claims that if this
particular stuff is used the hog raiser
will have absolutely no losses, besides
that, it would decrease feed costs at
least one-half and still more, it is a
sure preventive for hog cholera"
Sanitation Important.
"Folks, there is no medicine that
will ever take the place of common
sense sanitation" Mr.. Billings says.
'About now, thousands of little pigs
are being turned out into the old hog
lot which has started pigs for Is years.
Here the little fellows play in the
disease and worm-laden manure of
their great grandmothers, and in a
few weeks the runts begin to show up.
When this takes place the owner looks
around for something to put in the
Slop, the drinking water or the feed.
Someone has said that about one
third of the little pigs each year never
live to reach four months of age,
another third live, but become un-
profitable runts and the owner must
make whatever profit he can from
the remaining one-third. The 1910
crop of little pigs should not be per-
mitted to run in the old hog lot adja-I
cent to the hog house. They should
range in clean pasture or on a clean
cement sun-porch alongside the far
rowing house. No medicine is as
helpful as a good start"
Use Movable Br0oder Houses.
Mr.. McMillin stated that the poul-
try raiser is beset with all sorts of
patent medicines to cure or prevent
white diarrhea (pullorum disease),
and worms. Some put
lot of stuff in the drinking water,
hang up smudge pots in the chicken
and brooder houses and even put
drugs in the chick starter, thinking
that this will prevent chicks from be-
coming infected with worms even
though they run on the old disease
laden soil about the house. It's far
better to use movable brooder
house, set it up on clean ground at
some little distance from the build
ngs or use sun-porch to keep the
birds off the ground. There is not
much excuse in the failure to take
advantage of the modern chick SUM-
porch. They are almost worth their
weight in gold.
Each year farmers spend lots of
money on expensive mineral mixtures
for cows and pigs. Of course, most
Of these are all right, but the man
who wishes to make his own mineral
mixture can easily and cheaply do it
and accomplish good results. A SIM
pie home mixture that has stood the
test of time is the old 40-4O-2O. This
consists of 40 pounds of a good grade
bone meal, 40 pounds of oyster shell
flour and 20 pounds of ordinary SALT
Mix this carefully and put it out in
a self-feeder. 1t won't increase the
number of pigs per litter, or make
the lame walk or the blind see, but
it will supply all the ordinary needs
of livestock.