DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4580, 29 June 1923, Page 1

DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION.

HERD-TESTING. At the request of the Kaihere branch of the Waikato executive of the Dairy Farmers’ Union the organising secretary was sent to the Hauraki Plains to explain to the branches the Union’s scheme and to arrange a conference of branch delegates to meet in Ngatea on Friday, 22nd inst., to consider the formation of a dairy farmers’ union herd-testing association. •

Mr Grace visited Turua, Kopuarahi, Kerepeehi,, .Pipiroa, Waitakaruru, .and Ngatea; Meetings were held and representatives appointed. The Ngatea conference opened at three o’clock, and notwithstanding the severity of the weather there was a fair attendance, Kaihere alone being responsible for five delegates, who occupied over three hours making the journey down through almost impassable roads,, bitter, cold yrind, and stinging showers. The enthusiasm of these men is a fine example of the awakening spirit of. determination amongst dairy farmers to help themselves in any movement calculated to assist them towards greater production of their, dairy herds.

Mr Harris, of Kaihere, was appointed to the chair,, and upon opening the meeting remarked that all were aware fe of the many systems under which testing was conducted, and all wot.ld doubtless agree that a multiplicity of systems was not calculate 1 to hasten universal herd-testing, but he thought that rather a sound economic scheme whs necssary, and, in his opinion, 2s or 3s per cow should cover the cost, each member taking his own samples, the work of testing to be undertaken by a qualified man. Stressing the practical value of testing Mr Harris mentioned -thebenefit as a guide to the proper System of feeding and breeding obtained. He was not in favour of certificates for grade cattle, as he considered that there was a danger of deception resulting from the grade certificated cows. He mentioned the wide difference found between herds , in the same district, notwithstanding the fact that feed afid treatment were no: dissimilar. In reference to the deliberation of his own branch (Kaihere) on the question, he said that provision under a scheme shotild be made for check-testing by a qualified man so as to provide verification of the good perforlners’ records estab-* lished under a system where the owner took the samples. . The chairman then asked Mr Grace to explain the Dairy Farmers’ Union scheme.

■ Mr Grace said that herd-testing had occupied the attention of the executive since the inception of the Union. Naturally, a great deal of data had been collected, and the executive felt that the time had arrived when a sound scheme of herd-testing should be put into operation. It was felt that s no attempt should be made to upset any method now in practice, provided they were sure that such method of testing was not easily open to abuse or might lend itself ito deception by permitting shrewd sellers to exaggerate the record of their cows. While aiming at a '.niforni system, they were content to bring this about gradually, as confidence in the soundness of their system was secured. ' _

UNION’S HERD-TESTING SCHEME (1) Groups of not less than 1800 cows, or more than 2000 to be. formed under an association, such association to be controlled by a management connected with secretary.

(2) Wherever possible the Union will endeavour to get the assistance of dairy companies to provide_ a laboratory and the' necessary appliances free of cost.

(3) An. endeavour is being made to get the services of a qualified man at the expense of the Dairy ’ Division , also a qualified man to conduct the check testing,, the cost of-the. check tester to be bp.i;ne by the association. (4) Members will provide their own bottles and boxes and will take a monthly sample from four consecutive milkings, and shall weigh each cow’s milk throughout the month and fill in the test sheen, for the guidance of the association tester. (5) The association check tester shall make surprise visits to all members’ sheds at intervals throughout the year. * (6) It shall bp optional for anv member of the association to apply for an identification disc to. be attached to any of his cows after such cows have been eligible for such dis; tinction by the management committee. (7) That the testing period shall cover the whole year. Speaking of the proposed association for the Hauraki Plains Mr Cowdry said that in his opinion one central laboratory would be preferable to a number at, different points. He expressed the view that- no system of identification would eliminate the cull cow, but only through gradual improvement of the herds generally would they be rid of this trouble. Regarding the - check tester, he thought (that all should contribute equally to Mr Spence (Ngatea) thought it would be advisable for Mr Grace to circularise' all branches with the following proposal, proposed by Mr Harris and seconded by Mr Spence: “That a testing association be- formed in the Hauraki Planis with Ngatea as a centre, and that the N.Z. Dairy Co. be approached to assist, by placing the factory at the disposal of the association, and that the Identification be optional and that all members take their own samples and that

a check tester be appointed, the cost of such testers to be borne pro rata, and that the Dairy Division be asked to supply qualified testers for laboratory work,, and that the testing period cover the full twelve mnoths.” Mr Cowdry considered that all dairy farmers on the Plains should be catered for, and he believed they would support the proposal. Mr McDuff. said that undoubtedly all should test,, but he was afraid some would be apathetic.

It was unanimously decided to push

forward with the formation -of the association and that the branches should be again visited at an early date, estimates of the number of cows offering secured, and final arrangements effected in time to commence by August 1. . ■ In conclusion Mr Harris said that he considered the meeting that day the most important to dairy farmers in the Hajiraki Plains. Votes of thanks to the organising secretary and the Kaihere members concluded a very successful meeting.