FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 161, 17 October 1910, Page 7

FARM AND DAIRY

SOUTH TARAXAKI ACTIVITY. VALUE OF -TESTING BEING REALISED. The attention that has been directed to the cow-testing question by the foiv mation of an association in this district (says a writer in the Hawera "Star") is certain to have a far-reaohing influence on the industry. Quite a number ol dairy farmers who 06 not come within the scope of the Kaupokonui organisation have decided to go in for the individual testing of their dairy cows. As a matter of fact this is now being done on farms not far distant from Hawera, and m at least one instance known to the writer .has been carried out for years with a first-class dairy herd, although we do frequently quote the Denmark farmer for our example as regards cowtesting. The time for action, however, was very opportune when the Dairy Director (Mr. Cuddle) set out for the ■information of these associations. For a long time past writers of rural notes have been hammering away at this subject, and thus.made the onward march of the Dairy Director and his staff much easier. The benefits derived from systematic testing, no matter whether the herd be fair, {rood, or very good, are incalculable. Those farmers \«ho have faithfully carried out tile system for the past two or three years give astounding figures as the outcome of the operations. In several instances known to the writer they point to an increase of more than fifty pounds of butter-fat per head for the herd. The cheque for this extra production of butter-fat would be welcomed by practically every dairy farmer in the district. There should therefore be little hesitancy in adopting the scheme. It certainly requires the exercise of no small amount of patience, but the results are indisputably beneficial, and well repay the expenditure of labor. To cull out the "robber" cow and get a better one in her place is a source of expense, I am well aware; but the results gained are so overwhelmingly proportionate that they quickly repay this outlay, and an even better rate of interest than mining or other speculative concerns can produce. In my travels through the district I have found that the farmers with the good herds show a preponderancy of interest in the cowtesting. And it is not hard to understand why, as an animal put on the market with its record of productiveness available would certainly realise a bigger price than if its dairying value was a! mere conjecture. The system well de serves all the enthusiasm that can be introduced by its strongest advocates In one district I know of a person who has arranged privately to carry out test ing of individual cows for farmers whilst in many instances factory man agers are doing similar work. At th recent Xgaere Company's shareholders annual meeting it was wisely decided that suppliers who so desired could have all their cows tested at the factory, which practically means the formation of an association under the auspices of the company.