THE GROWTH OF HERDTESTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 228, 26 September 1928, Page 21

THE GROWTH OF HERDTESTING.

INCREASING NEW ZEALAND'S

WEALTH.

MORE COWS NOW UNDER TEST.

The remarkable growth of herd-test-ing during the past few seasons has been one of the most marked movements in the dairy world, and in this growth New Zealand has been well to the fore, our f»tati#tic« comparing more than favourably with those of most dairying countries. It is a little difficult to analyse the exact reasons for the rapid increase, but without doubt economic stress and the difficulty of making ends meet at the end of the season have been largely responsible. While testing was carried out in widely-scattered districts and with little co-ordination of results as between different districts, its benefits were but little known, but once those in charge of the movement realised the •Miormous gains which followed on testing they co-operated, and were able to put ■ forward convincing arguments in favour of the adoption of testing. Probably the soundest argument, and the 0116-, which appealed most to farmers, was that the gain in butterfat through testing and culling represented a definite gain in hard cash at the end of the season. The Big Association.

Although there is a certain amount of jealousy existing in other dairying district* regarding the Waikato's lead in dairy matte re, no unbiased person lorild fail to appreciate the outstanding part it has played in the herd-testing movement ever since its inception. Starting in a small way seven oeasoiw ago, trta New Zealand Co-operative HerdTesting Association" hap grown, until this reason approximately 100,000 cows are under test. That is a record of which any district, may wgll feel proud, but tie association has. gone much further, and in the introduction of the calfmarking system has given the industry what i« probably the biggest advance made since the introduction of the Bab- » "*k te«t, which did away with the bad i;kl days of buvirug milk by the gallon, irrespective of its butterfat content. What hava been the results in the Waikato? The average dairy herd there is distinctly above the average of other 4'uitricts, and in certain areas averages of 3001b butter fat per cow through whole liords an» by no uncommon. The lea dm of "tin* testing movement there hatv *:m tht'ni-elvp" out for a district Merage of WOlb butterfat. and, judging by the results achieved in a few season* oi tenting, it would seem that tlieir hofJcs'will be realiwed.

Continued Testing.

When testing first commenced there was a tendency on the part of farmers to test for a season or two and then drop out, the idea being that they then knew all that was to be known about their cows, and could cull accordingly. The idea was unsound, as later evidence showed, and to-day there are few farmers who discontinue testing, it being recognised that the young stock coming on will vary greatly, and that the older cows will vary also, according to their constitutions. Some . cows will give large quantities of for 20 years or more, while others will rapidly decline in butterfat production while still comparatively young. To-day it is clearly established that the farmer who secures some benefit from testing for a season or two, will secure additional benefits if he continues to test.

The calf-marking nfbvement. which is helping build up the herds of the future, will do much to keep farmers testing, for it is only through continued testing that they can secure the undoubted increased prices obtainable for marked calves, which come from tested dams and purebred sires. Increasing Our Wealth.

Statistics are uninteresting things and are often misleading, but any novice can readily grasp the fact that an allround increase in production of 1001b butterfat per cow in New Zealand would mean an addition of a good many million pounds to the dairy farmers' income. What benefits the farmer, benefits the community, too, so there is a distinctly national aspect to herd-testing. Apart, too, from the actual cash rewards following in the wake of herd-testing, there is the fact that testing makes better farmers through giving them a business training, thus making t'lem keen to know the profits or losses derived through other farming operations.

Every cow that is to-day. producing I.lolb of butterfat represents a genuine loss of wealth to the community as a whole, while every 3001b butterfat producer represents a real gain. The more herd-testing grows, the greater will be jur wealth. A Promising Start. The present season has opened most auspiciously for the herd-testing movement, increased interest being apparent in practically every dairying district in thhe Dominion. Taranaki, which lias lagged beihnd other dairying districts to some extent during recent years, appears determined to make up for the past, and a number of new groups are under way there this season, while the individual system is also receiving much support. In the Wairarapa. in the Bay of Plenty and in North Auckland, testing is showing an increase. Everywhere farmers are waking up to the fact that better cows means' better profits, and even in

the South Island, where dairying is more scattered in nature, and where in coiwequence less interest has been manifested in herd improvement matters, herd-testing is receiving support this season. This is especially tne case in Southland, where, following on a visit from Mr. C. M. Hume, a number of new groups are functioning.

All tliis is of direct benefit to our dairy industry and to our farmer*. We have to face economic facts and they show us clearly enough that the high prices for butterfat ruling during the boom years are gone for ever. Provided business methods are used on the farm there is little reason to regret tlieir passing. Once butter or cheese goes too high in price, buying is limited to the better-off classes and sales are affected. A fair, all-round market price, such ae was received last season, is all that can be desired by our dairymen, and, provided farming methods are right and the farmer is not endeavouring to make ends meet on land which has been bought at uneconomic prices, a sound profit can be made. Testing is doing great work in building up tin herds—' and the profits of the futur-. It will yet assume an even more important place in our farming operations as its full value becomes more widely known.