VALUE OF HERD-TESTING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4591, 22 August 1923, Page 4

VALUE OF HERD-TESTING

THAMES VALLEY DEMONSTRATION LESSON TO FARMERS. For many years past. Mr W. JByrne has taken a very keen interest in the herd-testing movement, and was successful in inducing the farmers at Norfolk-Tatua in forming an association. Mr Byrne’s contention is that it is only by testing that the value of each cow as a producer can be ascertained. This was fully amplified at a recent meeting of the association when the figures for the second year were analysed. This showed the average of ,the 1900 cows tested to be 2681 b, or 231 b above the average for the whole of the cows tested under association methods in New Zealand. The best herd averaged 488.041 b and the worst 191.591 b. The best, cow in the association gave 619.681 b of butter-fat, and the worst 69.391 b. In the former case the production worked out at over 21b of fat a day, and in the latter les,s than l-31b. By these figures it is very clear that it pays a man to test his herd. It helps him to determine what heifer calves to keep, and, above all, what cows to cull out of his herd. If tlie farmer is going to progress he must test his herd and cull out the duffers. It is only by the means of herd testing that they can know the best cows and the ones to keep and stock from, Mr Byrne is to be congratulated on the interest he has taken in herd-testing, and the satisfaction is his that he has in no small manner helped to build up the butterfat production of this Valley.