HERD TESTING SUCCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1005, 23 June 1930, Page 10

HERD TESTING SUCCESS

FEDERATION MEETS IN HAMILTON BENEFIT TO INDUSTRY From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. More than 20 delegates from all parts of Xew Zealand attended th© annual meeting of the Dominion Group HerdTesting Federation in Hamilton, today. In report Mr. Dynes Fulton, the president, said that there were now 21 affiliated associations. It was gratifying to se© that the number of cows under test, increased to 231,349 this season as against 197,392 last season. The most important development had been the appointment of a central executive by the Minister of Agriculture. The Government had granted a subsidy’ of £10,500 to assist th© work during the past season. It could be said that the group system was recognised today' as essential to progress in the dairying industry and the country' paid tribute to the work by* Dr. C. J. Reakes, who had given much time and essity of pedigree sires having a butterthought to the movement. Mr. Fulton drew attention to the necfat backing and although it would take some years for farmers to get the full benefit of this recommendation it should be keenly suported by’ all with When group herd testing had been inthe welfare of the industry at heart, augurated in 1921-22, there were 45,564 cows under test. Xow there were 300,000. The average production per cow in the Dominion at the end of 1921-22 season it was estimated at 1751b5. It -was confidently anticipated that. th© average for the past season would reach 2251b5, thus showing what a worthy part group testing had played in the Dominion’s dairy’ progres. Mr. Fulton concluded by stressing the need for economy’ to improve the Dominion’s present position and said the association should not depend on the Government for a subsidy'. Every farmer should increase his butter-fat returns per cow and per acre to meet th© low prices predicted. Only testing. culling and a liberal use of fertilisers would ensure this. He appealed strongly' for co-operation among the producing, manufacturing and marketing interests to relieve industrial depression. Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, said that what had been done was nothing to what could be done. He did not fear over-produc - tion. Prices for all classes of priary products were lower all over the world, but it was plain that With the increased output and competition, quality must be aimed at the whole time. He paid a tribute to the group movement, which was the most beneficial thing that ever affected the dairy industry’. The following management committhee was re-elected:—Mr. Dynes Fulton, chairman; Mr- V. R. Herron (Southland), Mr. .T. Parlane (Christchurch), Mr. G. H. Bell (Taranaki), Mr. W. Dougal (Dannevirke), Mr. P. W. Hill (Dargaville), Mr. W. J. Law (Bay of Plenty). Messrs. Fulton. Herron. Bell and Hill were appointed to represent the federation on the central executive.