JERSEY CATTLE-BREEDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1922, Page 8

JERSEY CATTLE-BREEDERS.

■ p THE ANNUAL REPORT. The twentieth annual report bf the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association is as follows: With the ending of another twelvemonthly period on April 30, 1922, your council has pleasure in once more presenting the annual report and balancesheet. The past year has been a strenuous one for dairymen, owing to the decline in value of dairy products. The altered conditions, however, have called more than ever for dairy efficiency, and the Jersey, with its heavy producing qualities, has enhanced its popularity in all parts of the Dominion, and no better evidence of this is required than the high prices that were realised for Jerseys during the year. Membership.—-During the year 202 new members were elected, the removals from the register through deaths and resignations were twenty, the total membership now being 987, a net increase of 182 for the year. Finance.—■‘■The attached balance-sheet shows that the net profit for the year was £59 Is 3d. Herd Book.—The total number of males registered to date is 11,904, and females 15,274. Transfers!—-There was the usual activity in the transfer of animals, no less than 22177 males and 1986 females changing ownership. Organisation.—The appointment of Mr. H. E. .B. Watson as honorary official demonstrator to the association has been more than justified. During the year he gave demonstrations at some of the’ metropolitan and district shows throughout the Dominion, which were largely attended and were a great success. In demonstrating the points and merits of the Jersey, Mr. Watson was able to disseminate valuable information to breeders and others interested. By this means the Jersey will not only gain nev converts, but a wider and fuller knowledge will enable members to select cattle more carefully, with beneficial results to the breed generally. Mr. Watson’s appointment has already had good results, and the association may congratulate itself on securing his services. The council has decided that as the title “Branch” was misleading to numbers of members, the title be changed to “Club.” Up to the present time twenty of these local organisations have been formed, and appear to be doing good work in their respective districts. Shows. —A subsidy of £ for £, up to £25, was paid during the year to any A. and P. Association which had received a donation up to that amountfrom any local club. As this method of allocating prize money to A. and P. Associations has meant a considerable expenditure of funds, some modification of the scheme may be found necessary in the future. Certificate of Record Test. —The advantages to be derived from this method of testing are fully recognised by members, as indicated by the number of certificates issued during the year. In 1921 certificates were awarded for 2163 cows, as compared with 375 this year; a very substantial increase, which brings the number of certificated cows up to 1279 with an average individual production of 413.681b5 k of butter fat. The council’s policy of granting a subsidy of £1 Is for each lOOlbs. of butterfat produced above the amount required to qualify for a certificate has again been justified, and was earned by 113 cows.

During the year there were no previous highest records broken, but in the class for" aged cows, “Elf’s Beauty” produced 800.751b5. fat, and is the winner of the gold medal in her class. The silver and brojize medal winners in the same class pr6duced 717.021b5. and ;07.OTlbs. respectively. The average production of fat for the fifteen medal winners, in the five classes, was 032.92Ibs. .. The council has again to express its thanks to the officers of the dairy division of the Department of. Agriculture in the management of the tests. The work is admirably conducted, while the interest and enthusiasm of the officers is much appreciated.' \ t Conclusion.—The hope expressed in the last annual report, that the depression in the dairying industry would he but a passing phase, gives every indication of proving so, for the outlook al present is brighter than it has been for some time, and the future appears lUD of hope and encouragement. New methods of marketing our produce by a pooling scheme are in contemplation, and if the measure of success is attained that is confidently anticipated, the industry should benefit substantially, and incidentally the country as a whole’. As' the prospects improve, so the demand grows for the best in dairy stock, and for that reason the coming year should see the Jersey in greater demand than eVer. ■ ■ While the council asks for a continuance of interest and co-operation on the part of members and of local clubs m the welfare of the association, it has pleasure, in wishing all concerned a successful year’s operations.