HERD TESTING

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1927, Page 3

HERD TESTING

COVER N.M ENT GRANT. WELLINGTON, July 25. (ahinet has approved a grant of £80(19 as a subsidy towards the cost of the work that is being carried out by the herd testing associations of the Dominion. In making this announcement to-day the .Minister of Agricui’ture, the Hon O. J. Ilnwkcn, recalled that for a long time representations had been made to the Government hv farmers lor assistance in connection with herd testing. “ No one doubts the great value of herd testing.” remarked the Minister to a Lyttelton Times ” representative. “In fact it is difficult to sec how dairy farming can he brought up to a high pitch of production by any other means than by keeping accurate records of production in the herds. " As a result of the decision arrived at by the Government to-day.” continued the Minister, “it is proposed to assist the work of herd testing associations to the extent or L'sfiHtO for the current financial year. A small hoard will lie set up to administer the fund and to make satisfactory arrangements with those interested. The board will be asked to work out a scheme and arrange for distribution of the sum, which is a subsidy on the cost of herd testing. It has been found that the Dairy Produce Board is unable to join in the movement to assist herd testing, owing, to limitations of the -Act under which it operates. I am satisfied that the dairy farmer will have to pay more and more attention to the increased production of liis In-nl as time goes on. otherwise with the competition lie is bound to meet from other countries lie will find that liis dairy farming is not as profitable as it; 'is now. There is no reason in a country like New Zealand, with its beautil’ul (limnte and pastures, why production per cow should not lie pushed up considerably higher even than at present. An example of this was brought out this year, when the Waikato Herd Testing Association found that in one district twenty-nine herds had in each ease exceeded 3001 b per row. One herd went up over the 4091 b mark. AVhon it is remembered that the average production per cow in New Zealand is less than 2bolli it ■is qnite reasonable to suppose that the general average can be lifted to a point that would make dairy fanning far more profitable tliair it is at present. Having this in view the Government is prepared, in spite ot the fact that fit is a bad year, to try to get more of tilie dairy tanners to test their cows.

“Eventually,” concluded the Minister, “dairymen will find that marking of calves from cows of high productive doubtely calves from a superior row by a pedigree bull would give the deiirv farmer such added value as would pay the whole of the expenses of herd testing.”