HERD-TESTING RESULTS.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 13, 10 January 1924, Page 4

HERD-TESTING RESULTS.

OPERATIONS IN WAIKATO. Value of the Test. The operations of the N.Z.Co-op. Herd-testing* Association, which is now testing* a total of 25 groups, representing approximately 32,000 Waikato cows, are growing increasingly popular with dairy farmers, and the indications arc that next season the number of cows having their output and consequent value gauged will reach a high figure. Although the season is not sufficiently advanced to enable the authorities to make any definite statement regarding prospective record breakers there arc many cows whose production so far is exceptionally good. For instance, during a monthly period seven cows gave the following totals of butterfat respectively:—l24.2lb, 101.921 b, 101.251 b, 96.991 b. 95.881 b, 94.471 b, and 94.381 b. In the first 111 days of her test one cow gave 2221 b of fat, and another 2801 b in 138 days, while one particularly good animal gave 161.461 b of fat in 39 days. Just as there are many high-class cows under test —cows which will make the farmer wealthy and bring prosperity to the district—so also are there innumerable “ robbers ” which spoil the herd’s average and reduce the income. Cows which give 32.621 b of fat in 160 days, such as one animal is credited with, are good examples or drones ” which the association hopes to remove, while other low records are as f0110w:—74.981b in 190 day -, and 74.731 bin 190 days.