HERD-TESTING PAYS.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 151, 25 September 1919, Page 1

HERD-TESTING PAYS.

Thames Valley Instances That it pays—and pays handsomely —to adopt the system of herdtesting as is carried out by several cf the dairy companies is shown very pointedly in some I figures recently published by the Thames Valley Cow-testing Association —which body, as is wellknown, is a " baby " (and a lusty one too) of tho Thames Valley Co.-op. Dairying Co., Ltd. The following is a brief summary of ' the herd averages for the past two \seasons : Lbs. Butter--1 , ■ fat, 191 S Average Association Cow 205.48 248.40 The host herd averaged 290.85 872.44 The worst herd averaged 108,25 127,62 The best ten herds averaged 269.54 200.59 j The worst ten herds aver- | aged * 14)3.70 170.01 J Tho best cow gave 400,18 520.1(1 The worst cow gave 44.05 08.77 The best ten cows averaged • 801.71 459.21 The worst ten cows averaged 87.08 105.12 The best ten cows in the best herd aveiviged 879.18 450.02 i The worst ten cows in the j worst, herd averaged 70.00 109.10 It will be seen from tho above figures that there was a decided improvement in the past season's work, due principally to the knowledge gained during the previous season. It is anjaclmittod fact that it costs no more to keep a really good cow on the farm than it does a poor cow, but few farmers real-

ise just how much actual money they lose by not finding out at the first opportunity just which dTe tho good cows. They prefer to run along on the old lines, without troubling much. In these times of high priced land farmers are compelled to farm better —or they will soon bo-in the bankruptcy courts. A glance at tho figures given above will satisfy nine out of every ton farmers not only that they must have their cows tested, but a little figuring will also show them how much they have lost by being content with an average herd when a really good herd could have been built up. In this connection it may be of interest to quote some facts given us by a well-known dairy farmer, Mr W. Lux tornThat gentleman has the honor of being "top-scorer," as it were, in the Thames Valley test, both in the whole herd and for the best cow He has a herd of about 40

Jersey-cross cows, with one or two pedigVeo Jerseys. As.will bo seen, in tho twelve months the herd increased its production by about 761bs buttorfat per cow—a very considerable item in a herd. Compare Mr Luxton's herd with even the average of tho best ten herds. Comparisons are odious, aren't they ? Mr Luxton has been testing his cows for tho last five years, and has shown an improvement per cow of about 40lbs. buttorfat per season.