HERD TESTING.

Shannon News, 4 March 1927, Page 3

HERD TESTING.

WHAT IT DID FOR A MANAWATU FARMER. Recently a visit took place of the members of the Manawatu Herd Testing Association to Mr C. H. Shailer's farm at Puke Puke road, Oroua Downs, some 50 members and friends availing themselves of the invitation together with Mr McCulloch from the fields division of the Department of Agriculture, the day being very fine and warm. Approaching the downs onu is struck with the number of large poultry houses, with many hundred head of poultry, on the different farms as a side line with the dairy farmers here. This great expanse of flat country, extending for many miles in each direction, was not many years since considered of little value. To-day one sees the effect of smaller holdings and intensive farming compared with the slate of things in the ! earlier clays. A paddock of about "0 acres with paspalum in abundance, I knee deep, was seen, also clovers in 1 profusion, a" remarkable contrast, the result of modern cultivation. Commencing the tour of inspection one sees evidence of the early wet season, when crops in many cases were sown three times before a satisfactory germination took place: "W»ry great in-' terest was shown by the party, anx-' ious to learn the secret of Mr Shailer's success, Mr McCulloch explaining the different" pastures of which cow grass or red clover predominates and the necessity of phosphate manures. Many were the compliments made to Mr Shailer when liis herd of cows were inspected. Here was evidence of three things vital to any owner oi ! cows, pastille, punctuality and eivi,ity. Much surprise was expressed o i learning of a cow that will produce probably 7001bs butter fat and has three quarters only. This herd, mostly Jerseys, are in splendid condition and some one remarked, "they are too fat," but that is the greatest fallacy. How is it possible for a herd of cows producing, as in this case, in the vicinity of 4001bs butter fat per cow for the season, to be too fat ? In his remarks Mr McCulloch said the farmers were really marketing their grass. They might be good breeders and good feeders, and to be goo;! managers they must test their cows. No one could be a successful breeder unless he tasted. What was the use of high feeding a "dud" cow? Doscribing a heifer that took a first prize at a show on points, he said that when put under test it was found she would not sufficient milk to rear a calf, One could produce pasture under better conditions and cheaper than any other country, but it was only by testing the cows, eliminating the unprofitable "dud" and the use of proved butter fat sires and top dressing the pastures that production would''increase. Mr Shailer said as a result of testing, his milk supply had increased in three years over 100 per cent. Three years ago his highest weight was 9001bs; this yeaiy, af-' ter taking SOlbs of milk for his Calves.: ' his weight was 19751b5* Last season the difference between his butter fat on his testing records and his factory returns was 4|lbs butter fat per cow. Herd testing meant 3ome|hing to him j and he was quite satisfied with the j system adopted by the Manawatu i Association. i

Mr J. P. X. Covlin said that great \ credit was due to Mr Shailer for the way in which he had lifted the production of his herd. As an old resi dent and a neighbour he knew that it was the result of testing, and he produced his own factory returiu showing a difference of 71bs of buttei fat for the 30 days between his factory and the herd testing results. Mr W. H. Gimblett, chairman oi the association, said that they had tc thank Mr Shailer for an interesting day and Mr McCulloch for being with them, giving practical information oi the positives and manures. As chair man of their executive, he could saV* that their members had worked together- very unanimously to the interests, of the work the association was doing at such a rcasonabh costf. There were important matte-' imminent with which the association would have to deal, particdlarly wHL regard to the sale of cows under test They were now incorporated, with powers more defined. He Was quite confident that if their work continued ii the future as in the past they migh embrace nearly the whole'cf the Wei iington province. The people in the Manawatu must keep abreast wiHi th'< people in the Waikato", where thci were over 60,000 cows under test. j Afternoon tea was provided by M and Mrs Shailer and family, theii hospitality in this direction being much appreciated.