The Rural Voice, 1978-09, Page 52Perth farm news
One of the most common parasitic
infections in Canadian hogs is Mange. The
disease is often subclinical, particularly in
adult sows. Infection of young pigs may
occur from the sow during suckling. or
after weaning when clean and infected
litters are mixed. Infection occurs by direct
contact.
The main symptom in growing and
finishing pigs is intense itching and
rubbing, hair loss and redness of the pig's
skin. Eventually, the burrowing of the
microscopic mite and scratching leads to a
thickening and folding of the skin and a
brown scab that is difficult to remove.
In chronic infections in adult pigs, the
only lesions may be a marked thickening
and wrinkling of the skin on the lower legs.
In sows. the mite is localized in and around
the ears and infection may not be apparent.
Although Mange can be assumed, on the
basis of these signs, some veterinarians
recommend that a skin scraping be
forwarded to one of the Veterinary
Diagnostic Laboratories of the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture & Food for a
microscopic examination and confirmation
A number of compounds are available
for the treatment of Mange. Although
B} Alan W. Scott, Ag. Rep.
Barr} Sinclair, Assoc. Rep.
these are most effective when used in the
form of dips or sprays, some of them may
be used as dusts. When treating for
Mange, you should be very careful to
follow the manufacturer's instructions.
In both farrowing and fattening barns,
the key to Mange control is prevention. All
new additions should be treated for Mange
prior to introduction into the herd. All
breeding stock should be thoroughly
sprayed twice a year. During spraying,
make sure that each animal is thoroughly
wetted all over including the underside of
the belly, the folds of the skin around the
legs and the outer and inner surfaces of the
ears.
If there is an outbreak of Mange the
control program, whether it's spraying or
dusting, should be carried out on all
animals in the affected pens. When an
infestation has occurred, producers should
also treat walls and floors of the pens to
prevent reinfestation from that source.
Stop Alfalfa Winterkill
Potash fertilizer acts as an antifreeze to
make alfalfa roots and growth buds
resistant to low freezing temperatures. The
application should be made in late August
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PG. 52 THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER, 1978
for maximum effect. A mix of 100 to 150
lbs. of 0-0-60 plus 50 lbs. of 0-46-0 might
be appropriate if soil test information is not
available.
The alfalfa plant must be given an
opportunity to build up root reserves. Thus
a September rest period is vital for winter
survival. In Perth County this period lasts
for three weeks before and three weeks
after September 10th in the north and three
weeks before and after September 20th in
the south. It is better to delay cutting until
October than to take a cutting during the
rest period.
Soil temperature is an important factor
in winter survival. Research has shown
that soil temperatures are several degrees
higher under plants that have a good top.
Thus it's vital to leave at least six inches of
top. if one does cut in October.
Perth Fall Fair Schedule
Tavistock Fall Fair is scheduled for
Friday and Saturday. Sept. 8th and 9th and
Kirkton will hold a oneday fair on the 9th as
well.
Palmerston Fall Fair continues after a
one year absence on Wednesday and
Thursday, Sept. 13th and 14th.
Stratford opens on Wednesday, Sept.
20th and continues until Sunday,
September 24th.
Milverton opens for a one day show on
Saturday, September 23rd.
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C. A. BECKER
EQUIPMENT LIMITED
Lucknow, Ont. 529-7993