THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA. CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1913. COW-TESTING.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 July 1913, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA. CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1913. COW-TESTING.

The proposal to form a district Cow-testing Association we heartily commend for the support of dairy farmers. The usefulness of these organisations has been amply demonstrated during the past two seasons, although we have a further guide as to their value by the results obtained in other daiiymg countries. Por many year.s past individual farmers have, tc> our knowledge-, in many instances 7 proved the wisdom of testing each cow in their herds separately for butterfat. But by a number of dairy farmers combining, the cost of same is materially reduced. To get the best results in daily farming it is necessary to know exactly what each coav in the lierd is worth as a butterfat producer. The selection of a dairy herd ; the culling thereof, or the additions from time to tirae has long been proved fallacious when carried out solely on. " appearance," or even combined with the quantity of milk given by a particular cow. The "whole aspect of the case is summed up in the question : What quantity of butt erf aj does the animal give ? The" fact that the average production per cow in Denmark for the year stands at 400 lbs., as the result of the working of cow-testing associations, against our New Zealand average of ISO lbs., shows the need for united action on the part of our dairy fanners. It is quite evident that the cost of keeping tho " robber '' cow is just as much as for the best butterfat producer in the herd; and the fanner who sets to work to find out which cows decrease the average of the herd with a ridiculously low yield, with a view to their rejection, is following his business on practical and prudent lines. The cost to each fanner is veiy little, and is a more bagatelle compared with

the benefits that follow. We hope to see the directors of the Kaipara Dairy Company substantially supported in their desire to establish an association of tnis kind.