The Rural Voice, 2003-04, Page 61Advice
Time of the essence to vacinate horses
for West Nile Virus, OMAF vet says
Owners of horses worried about
them contracting West Nile Virus
should hurry to get them vaccinated,
an Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food veterinarian told 100
people attending a meeting in
Brussels, March 19.
Dr. Leslie Woodcock told horse
owners from across midwestern
Ontario that the immunization, which
requires two shots, three to six weeks
apart, needs to be done four to five
weeks prior to exposure to
mosquitoes that carry the West Nile
Virus. Since the first mosquitoes
appear in May there's no time to
waste, she advised.
Those horses that have had
two shots at least 30 days previous
to being exposed to the virus have
94 per cent protection, Woodcock
said.
"All equines need to be
vaccinated," including donkeys and
mules, she told the audience at the
Brussels Legion.
At this point it's felt that an annual
booster shot will be required to
maintain immunity, she said. In fact
some experts are advising a booster
later this summer when the mosquito
danger is at its highest.
Last year there were 107 cases of
equine West Nile Virus infection
confirmed in Ontario, clustered in the
Niagara, Haldimand and Essex areas.
Mortality in unvaccinated horses is
25-30 per cent.
The virus attacks the spinal system
of the animals, causing a sudden lack
of co-ordination. The animals remain
mentally alert and ready to eat but
are so unco-ordinated they can't.
They suffer twitching muscles and
often their nose starts shaking. They
don't know where their feet are.
Eventually the animals may go down
and the survival rate among those
that do is not good.
Besides vaccinating their animals,
owners can take other precautions to
reduce risk, Woodcock said.
Horses allowed outside at night
during mosquito season, particularly
at dusk, are being put at risk,
Woodcock said. If they're inside, put
fly screens on windows. Don't leave
doors open and lights on that will
attract mosquitoes. Incandescent
lighting seems to attract mosquitoes
more than fluorescent. 0
Hensall Districr Co-operative, Inc. (HDC) has
filled our first white bean contract obligation with end-
users. To our pleasont surprise, end-users stated that
they need more HD( Dvafty Beans contracted for crop
year 2003. End-users hove not only supported HDC,
they hove given us prkes that will clow HDC to offer the
following centred options:
1015 cwt. per acre @ 828
[2) Up to 10 cwt per acre @ 827 with a floor
price of 923 (on the 1st 15 cwt.iac)
[3i [eat -Pool motion — pct si ar 1n
Option 2, however the production over 10 cwt./ac
wits be marketed through the Poet
ENSALL
(STRICT
0 -OPERATIVE
• -S0.11
HD( is a farmer -owned agri-business committed to
supporting our growers' value added food production
opportunities over the long-term. In addition to the new
contracts offered as of March 24, 2003, we will increase
growers' previously signed HDC 2003 white bean �cr
contracts by $1 per cwt. Without grower support, HD(
would riot have a Food Products Division that allows us
to market high quality food products to our end-users in
the global marketplace
NOTE: This limited contrail production will be available
on a first come, first serve basis.
PLEASE CONTACT your HDC Field Marketer or HDC
Satellite to look after your white bean contract and seed
needs now.
19-262-3002
LESLIE HAWKEN & .SON
Custom Manufacturing of Livestock & Farm Equipment
Self Standing Yard Divider
Calf Creep
Round Bale Feeder
• Flat Racks
• Cattle Panels
• Headgates & Chutes
• Self-locking Feed
Mangers
• Gate Mounted Grain
Feeders
Rural Route Three Markdale
519-986-2507
APRIL 2003 57