HERD TESTING

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 284, 29 August 1942, Page 9

HERD TESTING

Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association

When arranging for the testing of two dairy herds, 1 took the opportunity for a discussion upon the Wellington-Ilnwke s Bay Herd Improvement Association activities. It was pleasing to learn that there was a growing appreciation ol the value of herd recording, to give it its proper title. In this association there were tested fast season tMJG herds, which was an increase of 23 per cent, over the 193940 season, a very good achievement during two war years. Despite the financial problems, no increase is made this season in the charges which operated last season These remain at £1 herd fee, plus 5/- a cow for the first 40 cows, plus 4/a cow for the 41st to GOth cow, and plus 3/- a cow thereafter. Substantial grants from the Dairy Board and. the Government have enabled such low charges to be maintained. • . .

What has led to a growing appreciation of the service is that it is now a manysided one, contributing in several, ways to increased production. There is the calf identification service, sire survey, bull procuraton, calf transfer and finally field consultation service. That the past season was not as bad, at least in the case of recorded herds, as has been assumed in some cases is shown by the figures of production. For the season just closed cows overaged 2771 b. of fat, and for the two previous seasons 284 lb. and 2671 b. To judge from this the past season was just .an average one. Even so, I cannot believe' that, and must ascribe the results achieved to better farming and that this overcame the seasonal disabilities. A minor point of interest is that in all three seasons the test of the milk averaged 4.8 per cent, of fat.