FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 42, 15 March 1909, Page 2

FARM AND DAIRY.

Speaking about Denmark affairs to n gathering of farmers in the South Island last week Mr..Cuddie, Dairy Commissioner, said that of Denmark's 1350 dairy factories, nearly 1200 were cooperative, and the principle was extended to many other matters connected Willi the industry, for instance, the factories had a co-operative statistical bureau. From data supplied to it the bureau extracted information connected with the cost of manufacture, and this being supplied to the factories, enabled them to watch their expenditure and regulate it. A most valuable institution was the co-operative system of cow testing. Societies of say fifteen farmers were formed, and employed a man who tested all their cows twice a week. Since its inception the system has extended enormously. The societies numbered 473 when ho was in Denmark, and had 10,(00 members, and 183,000 cows were tested. The result of this testing was that the milk production per annum had increased by 7001b per cow. and the butter fat by over 401b. The cows were now the finest breed in the world in the matter of milk and butter production, a-id by that standard alone the Dane judged his herd. It would not do for Xew Zealand to follow Denmark in all things, but the testing of the cows should be taken up in the dominion. He had brought it before the department, a-id thought would be gone into soon.