IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION HAS A RECORD YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 17, 27 July 1949, Page 5

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION HAS A RECORD YEAR

At the annual general meeting of the Bay of Plenty and East Coast Herd Improvement Association Incorporated at V/hakatane on Friday there was a record attendance of group conveners from groups as far apart as Katikati in the north to Wairoa in the south of the Association's territory. The chairman, Mr W. R. Boon, in, his annual report said the season had been an exceptionally good one from a production point of view. The increase in the production of butterfat compared with the 194748 season up to May 31, 1949, in the Bay of Plenty district is- 4.5 per cent and over the whole of the Dominion is 10.46 per cent. The Association’s average of 43,881 cows in milk 100 days or more is 2731 b fat in 252 days, is a record. The previous highest average production was put up in the 1944-45 season when 31,043 cows averaged 263 lb fat in 249 days. The highest herds in the various sections were:—

Herds of 1 to 20 cows—l 3 cows, 4441 b fat in 299 days; 21 to 50 cows —2l cows, 4421 b fat in 296 days; 51 to 100 cows—64 cows, 4281 b fat in 288 days; over 100 cows —105 cows, 3621 b fat in 285 days; 29 herds, 1823 cow's, 58291 b milk, 5.1 test, 2971 b fat in 268 days. The highest cow is a pedigree Jersey with—a production of 10,710 lb milk, and a 6.7 test, 7121 b fat in 290 days. Importance of Sire Survey In reference to herd improvement, Mr Boon drew attention to the great importance of the Sire Survey and Intermediate and Lifetime Merit Register which are playing no small part in the improvement of the National herd. In fact, said Mr Boon, Sire Survey is the sheet anchor of herd improvement. He appealed to members to do their utmost to assist this work, particularly by seeing that all heifer calves reared are individually identified by tattoo. This identification is the foundation of the Sire Survey work.

Mr Boon paid a glowing tribute to the very valuable service given to the herd improvement movement by Mr T. S. Ferguson who had retired from the management committee after 14 yea'rs continuous service. Mr Ferguson had taken the keenest interest on all phases of the work and had been a tower of strength on the committee. He wished Mr Ferguson a long and happy retirement.

In conclusion, Mr Boon extended the committee’s thanks and appreciation to the official organ “The N.Z. Dairy Exporter,” the press and the dairy companies in the Associations’ territory, all of which have recognised the National importance of herd improvement and have at all times co-operated fully in furthering the interests of the organisation. Officers Elected

In the election to fill six vacancies on the .management, Messrs K. A. Bennett, Papamoa, G. P. M. Whitham, Pikowai and H. G. Gilmer, Tauranga, were the successful candidates representing the testing members, while Messrs Alex McLean, Whakatane, K. C. Hyde, Katikati, and K. Shaw, Waroa, were elected unopposed as representatives of the Dairy Companies. Mr Boon was re-elected chairman. It was decided that the committee go fully into the question of representation on the management committee with particular reference to instituting a ward system of election and report to the next annual meeting.