JERSEY BREEDING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 286, 24 March 1941, Page 5

JERSEY BREEDING

SCHEME TO IMPROVE STUD VISIT OF ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT "There is a strong desire by breeders to bring about an improvement in cattle," remarked Mr C. G. C. Dermer, president of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders Association when interviewed by a BEACON reporter at the week-end, "and although a great improvement has been made in reccnt years there is yet room for more." These remarks introduced an outline of the suggested basis governing transfers of Registered Pedigree Jersey Bulls, a scheme which has been introduced by the Association, of which Mr Dermer is president. He is at present touring the North Island addressing meetings of breeders on the subject and on Saturday spoke at Whakatane. The meeting \A r as, as has been the case in all other centres, an enthusiastic one and the scheme met Avith Avholehearted approval. Suggested Sche'me. The suggested basis to. govern the transfer of registered pedigree Jersey bulls is as follows: — 1. No bull may be transferred as a registered Pedigree unless his dam has produced under C.O.R. yearly test or 305 Day test Govt. O.H r T. or "Special Group 305 day test in accordance AA'ith the Certified Bull Certificates Standards —(a) C.O.R. Yearly Test: 275.51bs fat at two years, 312 at 3 years, 348.5 at 1 years, £85 at 5 years or over, and (b) C.O.R. 305 Day Test {Govt,?. O.H.T. or "Special" Group 305 Day Test: 2501bs at 2 years, 287 at 3 years, 323 at 4 3 r ears, 36'0 : lbs at 5 years or over. 2. "Elite" Bulls—Any bull may be transferred as an "Elite" Bull, subject to the folloAving qualifications : Qualifications (a) Sire must be an "Elite" Bull; (b) dam must have produced under C.O.R. Yearly test 4001bs fat at 2 years, 437 at 3 years, 473 at 4 years," 510 at 5 years or or C.O.R. 305 day test or Govt O.H.T. 3501bs fat at 2 years, 387 at 3 years, 423 at 4 years, 460 at 5 years or OA r er; (c) dam must be entered in the N.Z. Dairy Board's Lifetime Merit Register; or (,d) must be an "Official Survey" sire Avith all tested daughters.

The classes desired under ;th;e scheme arc in the case of 1, bulls suitable for dairy farms, while in the case of clause two animals suitable for use by stud breeders the scheme being designed to raise the standard of bulls generally. Time Inopportune. "I think there is little doubt that the scheme will go through and be accepted as law," stated Mr Dernier, "but at present the time is unsuitable owing to the lack of suitable labour and materials and the introduction of the new regulations will be held over until the general situation is more normal. It will mean a big thing in that the 2000 breeders in the country will be required to have their cows tested.

The Dairy Division and Herd Testing Association would require many more men so that it is not suggested to ask that the scheme be brought into operation until perhaps a few years after the war has ended," he added. Advantages Expected. Mr Dermer continued to state that the scheme has been entirely approved by the Herd Recording Council and the advantages it was expected to receive when the plan was adopted were (1) The improved standard of bulls used for stud purposes, (2) that all Jersey cows-will have to be listed if transfers of bulls are required, (3) protection of the C.O.R. and O.H.T. system of testing and also the Government tag, (4) that the same measure of control be retained by the Association under the Jersey Division Hg hitherto and also have full power to make our own regulations regarding the exemption standards of agriculture etc., and (5) that there will be a system by which the Association could work in full dooperation with the H.Q.C. without either party interfering with the policy of the other.

"The scheme is mutually agreed upon by the Herd Recording Council and the Jersey Association said Mr Dermer in conclusion, adding that both organisations were one hundred per cent behind the suggestions which would be a distinct advantage to both bodies. (Continued at foot previous column)