TESTING OF HERDS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 551, 23 July 1920, Page 2

TESTING OF HERDS.

.Many New Zealanders of the farmins classes who had opportunities of seeing English methods of farming during the war period were amused with the backward ideas in gen?ral practice, and came home with the idea that there was nothing to learn <»■ to emulate in respect to farming in the United Kingdom. But this view is vei'v one-sided, for as a matter of fact tin- world's best stock is still imported ftom the United Kingdom, and even by American breeders, who go- so scientifically and exhaustively into problems of breeding and herd-testing. There are, for instance, few places in New Zealand where herd-testing is carried out in such a thoiough manner as it is at Penrith (England, 17 miles southeast, of Carlisle), where the Penrith Home Kecoiding Society has established a splendid testing organisation, under the supervision of the Hoard of Agriculture. A report of the workings of this society states that two fu'l-time recorders are kept busy, with a part-time recorder in attendance. The members arc all small fanners, the largest on a book ni the -ociety having a herd of thirtysix, the average number of cows to the farm being about a dozen. Every cow is numbered, and this with he society's letter "P" must be tattooed on her left ear if not previously ' marked by another recording society. She is then identified for life. The society has ear-marked and had recorded on its list 1543 cows up to the end of last year. Calves from registered cows are tattooed on the right ear with a mark of two, interlaced angles and a number, so that their history can be traced. This is i onsidered valuable to prospective pin-chasers, who can In this means ascertain if the dam has good milking rco.nl-. It' has been found that pro- | p'-rly certified milk records of the ! dam ereatl,\ help- Ihe - : ale of bulls, i It i-i gratifyu-ie lo know that Home •

aia. tioii; , cr> ;'i - c comini: lo realise the van I" milk records in the suU- ; ' i>l' ilain •■ k. 'Ojv linn «• I" l'i in ii h aurl i.iin'crs has vwvn sp..'.-i.'d prizes for nnv.- with a'lc.-lcd milk records I'll 1 ■■ v\l in lli'' aulunin sales at Penrith.

Were such a syMem inaugurated in llii.s (li-iiiri there would probably be :i lot of culliny-out as a result. It is a anion-' contrast in methods that v.nilc a businessman knows precisel.v what return the sale of any article will him, the dairy farmer taki s hiv ''Qjjj&j on trust. Hut with cows, ! as \Alh\ people (save the nun pari- | .son) one carfm.t always judye by ap- j pearances. as some farmers have realised when they have had individual lows tested. If the dairymen of this district were lo form a herdtesting association they would qqvwould amply fepay twite *lrt their efforts.