HEED TESTING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 224, 21 August 1937, Page 16

HEED TESTING

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Manawatu Co-operative Herd Testing Association was'held yesterday, Mr W. H. Gimblett presiding over a fair attendance. In extending a welcome to those present, he stated that while he preferred to see a large attendance of members, it could be taken that a small attendance indicated that members were satisfied with the administration. In moving the adoption of the report (already published) and balancesheet Mr Gimblett said the year had concluded with a small credit balance, but the gradually increasing costs liad caused the executive some concern. Last year it had been necessary, due to the decline in the number of cows offering for testing, to increase the charge by Is 2<l per cow, with the’ result that there was a 10 per cent, decrease in cows. “Now,” lie added, “we are faced with increasing costs again, despite which the executive will carry on at the same charge as last year. The. problem, however, has to he faced.” It was a matter of regret that testing was not taken up more enthusiastically ill the Manawatu. “We have a good climate and the best dairying land in New Zealand,” he stated, “and it is very disheartening to find farmers lagging behind and seemingly ignorant of the value of herd testing.” Mr Gimblett said that the day would have to come when associations were placed on a better basis. Smaller associations dealing with smaller herds could not hope to give service at the charges made by those associations with large herd averages. He suggested three alternatives: (1) The subsidising of smaller associations with small herd averages; (2) the nationalisation of herd testing, with the cost borne by the industry as a whole ; (3) the pooling of all testing association revenue and a distribution on a pro rata basis. The following were elected to the executive: Messrs W. H. Gimblett, A. M. Burmeister, A. R. Laird and E. Hall (members’ representatives). G. Young, K. H. Barber, W. E. Kilsby aiid N. C. Jensen (dairy company representatives). Mr G. D. Fraser was re-appointed auditor.

The chairman expressed appreciation of the work of the staff, paying a special tribute to the services of the secretary (Mr T. G. W. Page).