FROM SWAMP TO GRASS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 294, 27 June 1929, Page 7

FROM SWAMP TO GRASS.

ISTGARUA’S RECORD. In Butter-fat Production. A World’s Record Per Acre. « The Ngarua district took the day off on Wednesday, when despite the -atrocious weather and numerous -counter-attractions, the local hall was crowded with settlers and their wives on the occasion of a social function held in the afternoon to i_.celebrate the success of the district T in the herd-testing movement. Invitations had been extended to various public men, and amongst those present were:—Messrs. Dynes Fulton, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Company and president of the New Zealand Herd-testing Association; C. J. Parlane, manager :N.Z.C.D.C.; R. H. Saxton and W. H. Allen, directors; S. Ferguson, member of the Daily Control Board and yjkjirector of the' Norfolk dairy factory; Marchant, president of the New Zealand Dairy Breeders’ Federation; W. C. Kennedy, riding member on the Piako County Council; C. M. Hume, secretary of the Herdtesting Association; Dr. Annett and Mr. F. Lye, M.P., and Mr. L. Mackie, President Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce. Mr. B. A. Candy, president of the local group, occupied the chair, and briefly welcomed 'the visitors. Referring to the achievement of the local group, Mr. Candy stated that the 974 cows had averaged 304.71 b of butter-fat in 276 days. This placed them first in New Zealand and in view of their success he hoped the “ 3001 b fat cow ” would become a slogan for all New Zealand. Their total was not quite a record, as the Manawaru group had previously touched 3071 b for all cows tested. However, their record •of 1701 b per acre was one which had hot been excelled. In the past it had been the average per cow that Tiad been looked for, but now they were striving for a high average per ■ acre, as this was the true sign of prosperity. In connection with this local record he would like to recall the fact -that 10 years ago local land was un-

drained swamp mostly covered with ti-tree and not producing a tenth of what was produced to-day. Yet they were not satisfied, and there was not one farmer amongst them who felt that he had reached the maximum production per acre. With herd-testing, manuring and good management it was hard to say what could be taken off farms.

Though leading the group they were not satisfied and were determined to do ever better this coming season if possible. They felt they were lucky to have such a man as Mr. Hume as secretary of the association, and he thanked him for the great work he put in. Mr. Dynes Fulton congratulated the district on their record, which he hoped would spur others on. In parts of the South Island they did not seem to know much about the herd-testing movement, and they certainly had not gone into it systematically. The part played by the Ngarua district was not only of benefit to themselves, but it went a long way to improve the economic position of New Zealand. The herdtesting movement had met with difficulties and had found that the small amount of money charged per cow was insufficient, and he was satisfied that without the aid of the N.Z.C.D.C, there would have been no herd-testing association. Prior to 1923 the movement had been controlled by Mr. Missen, and as it grew Mr. Hume was put in as manager. The first year the company paid half his salary, %nd later subsidised to the extent of 3d per cow. The N.Z.C.D.C. had guaranteed the finances of the association to the present time, with the exception of 'armers supplying proprietary companies. This year, to give everyone an opportunity and place every farmer on the same footing, they had decided to include suppliers to proprietary concerns. This would be lone for one year, when thby hoped ;he association would be able tc stand on its own feet without further assistance.

He was pleased to be able to an aounce that after a series of meetings with Mr. Forbes the Government had decided to recognise the herd-testing movement in a manner which should promote its growth throughout New Zealand. A board would be set up to control the movement, consisting of Dr. Reakes, Prof. Riddett, Mr. Singleton, Mr. Irons and four members of the Herd-test-

ing Federation, the chairman being selected from the latter four. He thought that as a result of this decision they could take it for granted that the movement would now go forward without any fear of a setback.

The fact that the Ngarua group of twelve members had put up a record of 3001 b per cow confirmed the statements made to the Minister when his assistance had been sought. They were playing a wonderful part in the progress of New Zealand, and he urged them to continue their efforts. Many said that the use of fertilisers had made the increase in production, but he claimed that the greatest advance had been made as the result of testing and culling. Mr. Hume stated that the local group consisted of 12 herds averaging 82 cows at 3041 b of butter-fat each. The average for New Zealand was 2001 b, so that if that of the country was raised to equal that of Ngarua an additional £10,000,000 would be made to the national Income yearly. The largest herd in the group was that of Mr. Candy, who had 93 cows. This herd was also the highest in the group, averaging 361.311 b of butter-fat per cow in 286 days. Only one other herd of from 75 to 100 cows beat this record, that of Mr. T. T. Hickey, Te Aroha West. Mr. Candy also had another herd of 100 cows which averaged 3241 b of but-ter-fat, so that his 200 cows averaged about 3401 b, which was a wonderful record. The best cow in the srroup belonged to Mr. Hayward, and produced 5471 b in 305 days. The 77,591 cows in the association averaged 244.891 b of fat in 255 days. Last year the association tested over 80.000 cows, and was the largest testing association in the world, iust as they had the largest factory in the world. This growth was due to the solid support given, some farmers having tested every year for six years. The development of test- : ng in the Dominion was different to that in other countries, for here they were not content with merely testing but went in for calf-marking and -ulling. In the very near future he •xnocted the local group to touch 3501 b per cow. In introducing Mr. Lye. M.P., Mr. Candy remarked that he did not w ; sh to sail under false colours. Mr. Hayward was the real leader of the group, as he produced an average of 2101 b of butter-fat off 100 acres. Mr. Lye congratulated the district on its achievement. Its return of 1701 b of butter-fat per acre was equal to £l2 15s per acre, being a remarkable one. In the country they were using every incentive to increase produc-

tion, but unfortunately in the secondary industries there was no such desire for more production per head and this was one of the reasons for the high cost of living. Mr. C. J. Parlane said he regarded the district’s success as a triumph for co-operation. Testing did not stop at cow production, for it made all better farmers. It had been asked what would they do with their production in time, but they need have no fear of the future so long as they produced superfine butter. New Zealand sent 20,GU0 tons of butter to England before the war, and the total was now 70,000 tons, which sold at higher prices. The standard of living in the Old Country was vising and so consumption went up. He hoped that in future they might solve the cull cow problem so that there was no chance of such culls getting back to other herds. Messrs. Kennedy, L. Mackie and Marchant also spoke, after which cheers were given on the call of Mr. Dynes Fulton for members of the group and the chairman. Afternoon tea was then served by the ladies, after which a football match between Ngarua and Nomads was played. In the evening a most successful lance brought the day’s proceedings to a close.