HERD-TESTING ASSOCIATION.

Otaki Mail, 9 March 1923, Page 3

HERD-TESTING ASSOCIATION.

* FORMED AT TE HORO. A meeting of farmers interested in the formation of a herd-testing association was held at Te Iforo yesterday, Air Evelyn Macdonald presiding. In his opening remarks he said he was pleased to see dairy farmers co-operat-ing. He then called upon Air C. I. Harkness to address those present. Mr Harkness said it gave him pleasure to be present to meet fellow dairymen, and said as they had run together • iu the past on co-operative lines they should join together in herd-testing. Ho stated ho was also glad to see the farmers sticking to consignment and stated how his factory had saved hundreds of pounds by doing so. Herdtesting, lie added, was inseparable with dairying and he considered by systematically testing herds that the present value of the Dominion's output could be practically doubled. One of the objects of testing was to pick out the "robber" or cull cow, and replace her. By so doing the dairyman would get a big advantage. He knew where one herd in Taranaki had been reduced from 25 to Hi, and yet the same return secured, all through testing. Personally, he had tested for the past three years and had gained a decided advantage. lie found by testing that favourite cows were well down for butter-fat, and had known a three -leater give excellent results. It was also very interesting to have cows tested, it: lent additional interest to dairying; at the same time employees took keener interest and in consequence better results were obtained. He had thought that factory managers had been unfair in testing, but he had since proved the reverse. He had had cows which he thought were among his best to test 3-2. Heedless to say after testing lie had got rid of them, and in consequence now had cows that yielded 4.8 to 5.0. This proved how a herd could be improved. He believed in giving cows tile best of treatment, by doing so good results were obtained, further if testing was properly carried out abortion would be done away with, farmers from a good herd could keep their own heifers, and if these grew up among a clean herd they would be immune from disecase. j Many considered testing a trouble and expense, but such was not the case — it proved to have a test. It only cost 2s per cow each year which amount l went towards paying the otlicev in 1 : charge, and he strongly advised all to join up. ru answer to Air Ryder the speaker said 9000 eons were tested iu Hew Zealand last year while the increase in dairy cows during the year was, according to statistics, considerable. Air Harkness, sen., supported his son, and read a paper which he contributed iu 1906 which dealt with testing on the same lines as now advocated. The Chairman, in speaking in support. of the Association, advised replacing cull cows by better class ones, while Mr W. Jamieson considered it would be a good thing for farmers to buy on a lest. By doing so they could improve their herds. After further discussion the following gave in their names as willing to join the Association: —J. O. Harkness (30 cows, 12. Macdonald 15. 11. B. Lethbridge jo. £. A. Pullmnu 12, K. Spiers -15, C. Kilsby 10. O.* Sutton 22. Li. F. Ryder 30. W. Jamieson 30, E. E. Gawler 25, \V. Alason 15. O. H. Harper 50, H. J. Palmer 50. G. Watson 50, W. Lauder 25,'R. Patching 20, W. Hayward. 15, AV. Taylor (50, J. T. Trembath 30. Air Ryder said no doubt the Association would be heartily supported by (lie Directors of the Company, while (lie Chairman said by testing farmers would get better cows, better returns, and. if they desired to sell their lauds,! better prices. He felt success was as-! sured and had no doubt but that other j farmers would join up. The. following were (lien appointed as an executive committee: —Messrs H. B. Lethbridge. W. Lander, and E. Macdonald. It was decided to secure further information from Air Singleton, after which hearty votes of thanks were accorded Messrs Harkness (2) and the Chairman.