HERD TESTING

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1930, Page 2

HERD TESTING

PROPOSED GROUP FOR

WESTLAND

In connection with the proposal to form a Herd Testing group for Westland the following particulars are gleamed from a circular received The requirements for a successful Group, for 9 to 10 months testing, is 1,200 cows. A Testing Officer, is appointed and he visits each herd once each month, say from October until May, inclusive. He is provided, by tlie Group, with a set of Testing faucets. milk scales, Dipper and .Sample Boxes (with locks and keys.) He would arrive at the farm in the afternoon, recording the weight of milk and taking a sample from each cow at the evening milking and again at the following morning milking. After breakfast. the samples would be tested on tlie farm in the presence of the member, and the record sheet completed. He would also identify, probably by ear tag, all heifer calves which are being reared so that they may be registered, at the end of the season, tinder the Calf Marking scheme, provided the dams have then qualified, and tlie Calves rre liv a regstered pedigree buty. Tlie Testing Officer would leave in ample time to arrive at the next herd for the evening milking. He should be prepared to handle the equivalent of 27 herds each requiring a monthly visit. As the majority of herds on the West Coast conHiin less than 30 cows, the Alternative system should be adopted for those herds having iiOt move than 25 cows. Under this system, two small herds are sampled and tested in the one 24 hour period. The Testing Officer visits, say "A” herd on 4th October and leaves the necessary gear with “B” to allow “B” to take the weights and samples which are collected next morning, by the Officer and tested by him. The following month, November, the Officer visits “B” and leaves' the gear for “A” to take the samples. No member is allowed to take-the weights and samples for two months in succession. This method keeps'-the results reasonably authentic and enables the small herd owner to be included in a Group at a reasonable fee. The alternate figures were recognised for Calf Marking. The question of a Group, covering a wide area, does not present insurmountable difficulties. A suitable allowance could be made to the Testing Officer, which would cover tlie running expenses of a J ton truck. I do not favour motor vehicles being owned by the Association. Each member, must, of course, give the Testing Officer free board and lodging during the time be is on the farm. The testing fees should be collected through the Dairy Companv the Member supplies. The Member should give an order for the full amount and any adjustment through milking less cows than signed for, or more than signed for, should be made in March. Deductions for fees should be made over the four or five flush months. This will necessitate a little extra work for the Factory Secretaries, but in view of the ultimate benefit the Testing movement will mean to the Factories, I am confident they will assist in this direction. The order system is quite common in the North Island.

The question of financing a Group until the fees are received always presents difficulties. I feel, however, that that problem should meantime be put aside. After receiving the “signing on” lists, especially if the proposed Groups are strong, 1 am confident that a way will be found to get the movement started.

Provision if possible, should be made for the testing of very small herds, say up to 15 cows, under the “Individual” system, that is, where the owner takes the weights and samples. ' Tlve Testing Officer would leave a box of sample bottles, a cheap set of scales, and a dipper, picking them up next day and testing the samples and completing the test isheet. No Calf Marking is allowed under this system, and the test sheets wou.d be so marked that they would not he confused with Group figures. The charge for this testing should be 2s Gd per cow for the season.