VETERINARY SERVICE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 302, 5 December 1936, Page 6

VETERINARY SERVICE

STRATFORD FARMERS Compulsory Herd-testing Not Wanted. Opposition to the introduction of compulsory herd testing and farm instruction ,and support of the principle of Government veterinary service in place of farm instruction was contained in a motion carried unanimously by the Stratford 'executive of Die Farmers’ Union at a meeting yesterday. The question was introduced by Mr M. Davies who uttered a warning that 'the functions of the Farmers’ Union were being usurped by other organisations not properly" represent-' ative of farming interests. The Farmers’ Union was at present, in danger of being side tracked and replaced by other bodies, said Mr Davif/s. As an example, there was fft present a national dairy body being formed which was going to be the mouthpiece of farming interests. This step had been taken by 'the National Dairy Association without consulting the ordinary suppliers of factories. The Dairy Board already in. existence was a means of putting the farmers’ opinions to the Government. This board was subsidising the cost of bringing an American expert on mammitis to New Zealand. It was their business to . find out

| whether or. not this expenditure was J justified. He had been told that j mammitis was not curable. He con- ' sidered that the farmers should bet 1 sure .that such an expert, would be ! able to do useful work and that, he J was not double-banking the work of i New Zealand research stations. i The value of farm dairy instrum ' tion as carried out at present vYas ' also doubtful. Instruction undbubt- | edly' did a- great dejal of good but j more could be done than' at' present j to ensure the quality of .the milk and : help the farmer to maintain a good [ herd. Bad milk was' often due not Ito dirt but to unliealthiness in. the cow. Instructors inspected the sheds durjng milking or gave any instruction on questions of health of ,cows. . , Mr T. T. Murray (chairman): You want farm veterinary instruction as well as dairy instruction. I have

been that for years. Other points, said Mr Davies, were compulsory herd testing and the problem of dealers selling infected stock to farmers. They should not let these questions •j be put to the. Government without ; first consulting ‘the farmers'. The Farmers’ Union was the correct body j for this .work and should, .be., recog- ; nised. He hoped that when the ■ Chairman went to the. meeting of the j New Zealand executive he would > look into these matters, particularly' s the nature of .the new organisation. I Mr Murray said he had an idea j tha't. the N.D.A. was in a, dying state I and that the new organisation was an attempt .to revive it. The N.D.A.'s i business was with the factory aspect, j of farming and he hoped they would j confine themselves to the trading ■ aspect. I There was a Bill for compulsory

i herd tes’t'fg in preparation which ! would make it possible to rear bulls 'only from certificated stock,, said Mr !H. A. Hunt. This would play right i into the hands of the big breeeders. I Many of the records which went, fori ward were not wha.i they seemed, he j continued. Many of <he cows were i forced. There was no guarantee that j cattle from champion stock would be 1 first grade. Compulsory herd testing ! would mean a tax of £5 per year to • many farmers. | Voices; More .than that. j A great deal of trouble in herds j was caused by forcing production, i said Mr B. Richmond. He would not | mind paying more tax if they could, j have practical veterinary oflicers ! who could come out. on the farms ! and show them what was wrong wnh ' their cows. Compulsory testing I would J.ie a farce unless they could ; first be assured of 100 per cent. [ healthy' stock.