HERD-TESTING ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 15

HERD-TESTING ASSOCIATION

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 23. The annual meeting ci the New Zealand group of the Herd Testing Association elected the following officers:—Chairman, Mr Dynes Fulton; Management Committee—Messrs F. Alton (Hamilton), G. R. Herron (Southland), J. Parlane (Christchurch), G. H. Bell fOakura), W. Dougal (Dannevirke). P. W. Hill (Dargaville). W. J. Law (Bay of Plenty); representatives on Central Executive—Messrs Fulton, Herron, Bell, and Hill; auditor, Mr G. S. Crimp (Hamilton). The chairman said it appeared that the next two years would be difficult ones for farmers, and it was probable that some would economise on herd testing. It was his intention to seek the support of the Dairy Board and the National Dairy Association at its conference at New Plymouth this week. ANNUAL REPORT. The report presented showed, inter alia, the progress of herd testing as follows: — Group Associations Cows 1926- .... 8 88,549 1927- .. .. 12, 122,613 1928- .... 21 193,762 1929- .... 22 224,170 1930- .... 26 226,340 “ It is indeed pleasing,” continued the chairman, “ to note the additions to our membership since the last annual meeting—the Marlborough, West Coast, Buller and Karamea Associations. I can assure them that the adoption of group testing and calf marking will prove the forerunner to better management of their dairy herds, and, in addition, will result in a steadily increasing average pei cow and per acre in their districts. A welcome is also extended to the Golden Bay Association, which linked up with the federation after the last annual report was prepared. We now have seven, affiliated associations in the South Island as against two at this time last year. The ‘ group ’ cows tested by them this season total 18,312 as against 11,810 during the previous season. “ In view of the fact that, even at the commencement of the season, a fall in price of butter-fat was apparent, it is indeed pleasing to note that associations generally have been able to hold their position. The slump of 1921-22 was responsible for the . formation of the group herd testing movement, ‘ and the present low prices, together with the immediate prospect of moderate prices only, should

give a fresh impetus to the further development of this vital adjunct to dairy farm management. We should take a lesson from our chief competitor, Denmark, where at least 33 1-3 per cent, of the cows are under test each year. They have concentrated ■on herd testing and that factor is largely responsible for their average, over all cows, of 2701 b. In this Dominion not more than 20 per cent, of the cows are under test, with an average, over all cows, of 2201 b. Quite a large proportion of the dairy farmers in the Dominion to-day can produce profitably at Is per lb. This average, however, is not 2201 b, but over 3001 b. It must be obvious therefore that were it not for the benefits of group herd testing up to the present time thousands of our dairy farmers could not have carried on during this present time of low prices and depression. What has been done by many can be done by practically all. Land described as second class, and much regarded as worthless a few years ago, has, with the aid of fertilisers, been turned into profitable dairy farms. The Dominion is dependent on a prosperous dairying industry. The two vital factors ip attaining that objective sire herd testing and topdressing.

DAIRY FARMING. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, -How is it that our great scientists on agriculture do not study more “the ways and means to increase the quantity 9 uallt F of our butter industry ? Why is it that Denmark is always leading by several shillings per hundredweight the best New Zealand butter ? Do our experts know that a cow can be made to produce double her present yield, if not more, and of such a quality that Denmark can’t equal ? I have seen a cow take first prize against a large number of better cows at a show simply because she gave a better test—s. 6 or a bit over,—and yet this same cow under ordinary milking conditions would not give a 3.6 test—that is at six months’ milking. The butter produced from this cow during the show week w-as 121 b from pan-set milk; 51b and 21b of it was entered in the dairy section (or P 1 an c .?P t b the gening first prize and the 51b was disqualified as not being dairy butter. This judging was by a Government inspector (his excuse being that it was too good for dairy butter), who, when it was proved to big satisfaction to be dairy butter, said it was entitled to a special prize. He said that no butter in the show, factory or other, equalled it tor flavour, and he doubted if any butter in Australia could equal it. Now, considering the high prices some of our dairy farmers have paid for their land, is it not time that something was done to help them ? This I know : where a farmer milks one cow he can milk two, and where he gets 51b to 61b of butter from each cow on the average he can get double and even more, and of su ch a-quality that it can hold its own with Denmark or any other country. I nave brought this before Government people in .Dunedin, but nothing was ever done as far as I could hear to try it out. It must rest with the dairy farmer or his association to take it up, and so relieve the industry from its present depression. Any information required on this subject I shall be only too willing to supply, especially in the interests of returned soldiers who have taken up this industry.—l am, etc., , Thos. Hindle. 136 Leith street, Dunedin. OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the committee of the Otago A. and P. Society wa« held in the board room on Thursday, and was attended by Messrs H. Turner (president in the chair), John Young, H. C. Campbell, D. Andrew, J. Mosley, W. S. Thomson, Arthur Johnson, R. T. Kirk, W O ATKellar, H Howat, A. H M Driver, E. C. Hazlett, James Begg, E M. North, S. Bowman, John Hellyer, George Ross, and John Mee. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. M'Kinnon, F. J. Conn, and James Gow Before proceeding with the business of the meeting the chairman referred to the death of Mrs Tannock, wife of the superintendent of the reserves of the City Council, and Mr Alexander Scott, of Burnside, who had been a member of the society for many years, and who had taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the society. Motions of sympathy were carried, members standing. The president extended a hearty welcome on behalf of the committee to Messrs Joseph Mosley (Clydevale) and W 8 Thomson (Warepa), two new members who were elected to represent the Bruce and Clutha districts. Messrs Mosley and Thomson thanked the president and committee for their hearty welcome and assured them that they would endeavour to assist the society to the best of their ability. Accounts amounting to £1545 18s Bd, as detailed in the accounts register, were passed for payment. The secretary submitted a statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the Winter Show. The statement showed a comparison between last year and this year, which was considered satisfactory. The executive in submitting its report expressed its thanks and appreciation to all the judges for their valuable services. It also desired to congratulate all class stewards on their excellent work, which enabled the judging to be completed before the official opening of the show. It was also gratifying to receive many congratulations from country friends, and by the opinions expressed by members and the general public the last Winter Show was considered the best held by the society. Considering the present adverse conditions and the unfortunate weather experienced during, the last two days of the show, the financial results must be considered satisfactory.—On the motion of Mr H. C. Campbell, seconded by Mr W. O. M’Kellar, the executive report was adopted.

The secretary of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote thanking the committee for allotting it such a suitable space, free of

charge, and advising them of their financial results.—Noted. The secretary of the Dunedin Badminton club and Messrs Guy’s, Ltd., wrote asking for a lease of portion of Brydone Hall for the purpose of holding Badminton games. After a.-very full discussion it was decided to grant them the use of portion of ';his hall for three months from July 1, and the secretary was instructed to advise them accordingly. Air Fred Freeman, of Minaret Station, Pembroke, wrote thanking the committee for the honour of electing him an honorary life member, and assuring the committee that be would still take a live interest in the society’s operations. Mr David Andrew, of Tiroiti, Hyde, wrote conveying his thanks to the committee for the honour that had been conferred on him by electing him an honorary life member. Air Andrew stated that he would continue to do his best to further the interests of the society.— Noted.

The secretary of the Clutha branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote: “ At a meeting of the branch held on June 6, I was instructed to write a complimentary letter to your society on the very fine Winter Show held last week. Alembers had only high terms of praise when speaking of the splendid display that was made. —The president stated that it was very gratifying to receive such letters, and that it should encourage the committee to .do better, and the secretary was instructed to acknowledge the letter with thanks. The National Beekeepers’ Association wrote making several suggestions in connection with the competition in the honey section, which was referred to ‘hat sub-committee for consideration. Alessrs Charles Begg and Co. advised that they had handed over to Airs J A. Calder, of Ravensbourne, the radio won by her in connection with the weight-guessing competition.—Noted. Air W. Al. Alathewson, of Kokonga, was duly elected a member of the committee to represent the Central Otago district owing to the vacancy occurring, by Air David Andrew being elected as an hon. life member.

The secretary read a considerable amount of correspondence with Alessrs Lindsay and Co., of Invercargill,’in connection with the allocation of points In the hams and bacon section at the show. If two exhibitors were equal for third prize, the competitors should receive half a point each, Alessrs Lindsay and Co. maintaining that it should be one point.— The secretary’s action was approved. Alias E. Kempshell, of Alaungatua, wrote advising that her sister and herself would be only too pleased to give whatever assistance they possibly could in any of the sections at the Winter Show, and desired to take this opportunity of congratulating the committee on its excellent show, which was keenly inspected by all country people. Air William Swale, of Lime Hills, in returning the cheque sent to him towards his expenses in acting as one of the judges, congratulated the committee on its Winter Show, saying “ that the exhibits in every section were of such a high stan dard and so excellent that the results must be gratifying to all concerned.” Mr Swale mentioned that in all competitions in the fat cattle sections he was exceptionally pleased with the number and excellent quality of the young cattle shown, whilst the sheep and lambs were also uniformly good, and that he would give his assistance at any time. —Noted with thanks and appreciation.

Air Joseph Richardson, of Georgetown, wrote thanking the committee for the attention shown to the calves at the show which was noted'. The Oamaru .A. and P. Society wrote regarding the date of dipping sheep, which was referred to the Sheep Committee for report. The secretary read a letter that he had forwarded to the headmaster of the Naseby School in connection with its exhibits at the last Winter Show, which was approved. It was decided that each member of committee should receive a copy of last year’s Summer Show schedule with a request that any revision they desired to make should be submitted to the General Committee at its next meeting. The committee was also asked to revise the scncdule in regard to the appointment of sub-coommittees in the various sections. » Th 3 annual horse parade was fixed to be held at Tahuna Park on Thursday September 24. After a very full discussion it was decided that the Summer Show be held at Tahuna Park on Tuesday and Wednesday November 24 and 25. A letter was received from Mr R. Km naird. of Alexandra, making several re commendations in the fruit section, which was referred to the committee. The Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand. wrote submitting particulars of the remits for its conference to be held in Wellington, which was noted. Air R. C. Burgess wrote in reference to the leasing of the Crawford street premises lately leased by Alessrs Waters. Ritchie, and Co., which was noted. Air Joseph Alosley, of Clydevale, offered £2 2s prizes for competition in 1932.— Accepted with thanks. A letter w-as received from Mrs J. J Nyhon returning a cheque sent her covering judge’s expenses as a donation to the society.—Received with thanks. A letter was received from the Otago Societv for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals expressing its appreciation of the committee’s action in adding calves to its classes for competition at -the Winter Show. The Southdown Sheep Society wrote offering a gold medal for the best twotooth Southdown ram at the Summer Show.—Received with thanks. The Otago Alotor Club wrote advising the amount of money that was received in connection with the motor camping area at Tahuna Park, which was noted. The Department _of Agriculture submitted a detailed list of the prizes won by the members of the Otagn Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club, which was noted and referred to the executive.

Air Joseph Aloslev stated that he had just returned from a visit to Pamerston North Show and that, with the exception of dairy produce, the Otago Society’s Winter Show, in his opinion, still held the premier position.—Mr Alosley’s remarks were reqgived with appreciation. At the ,close of the meeting the president suggested that it might arouse some

enthusiasm if meetings could be held in the various districts -of breeders, farmers, and others to endeavour to get more support for the Summer Show.—Mr Turner stated that if meetings could be arranged he would promise that some members of the executive would attend and address a meeting.—After some favourable discussion, the meeting decided that the Taieri members should endeavour to arrange for this meeting, and, if successful, they could be arranged to be held in other -centres.