HERD TESTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1938, Page 9

HERD TESTING

GLADSTONE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. . TWO FULL GROUPS THIS SEASON. The annual meeting of the Gladstone Herd Testing Association, was held at Masterton on Wednesday, Mr L. R. Wilton presiding over a fair attendance of members. It was decided to donate £1 Is to the Carterton group of the Wairarapa Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Club and £1 Is to the Masterton group as cash prize money for calves to be judged for dairy type, to be open to children whose parents are members of the Gladstone Herd Testing Association. The question of mastitis testing was discussed and fully illustrated and explained to the meeting. The point that mastitis testing was optional and not compulsory on the part of the dairy farmer was stressed. The secretary (Mr A. H. Humphrey) informed the meeting that the association should have two full groups operating, especially now that produce was fetching a higher price. Instead of .the two groups in operation before the depression they had one full group and a part group, the part group being difficult to work as it was only a part-time position for a samp l ling officer . This season, the association would endeavour to form two full groups (26 herds being a full complement to one group). Last season’s members would be given the opportunity and preference to rejoin for the 1938-39 season in No. 1 Group. Others would be signed on conditionally on the understanding that, should a sufficient number of applications to test be received, only then would the second group operate. A most suitable testing officer was at present available for a second group. A vast amount of organising was required with the herd testing movement and it would greatly assist the secretary and other officers of the association if applications to test , were sent in immediately to the secretary, chairman, or testing officer. Although the association has to meet increased costs it was decided not to increase testing fees for at least the coming season, 1938-39. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Chairman, Mr L. R. Wilton; committee, Messrs T. R. Eaton, H. Mortensen, A. C. Gawith, H. Myers, F. G. Wrigley, G. H. Blundell and C. Oliver; auditor, Mr James Watson; delegates to Wairarapa Herd Testing central executive, Messrs L. R. Wilton, G. H. Blundell, A. C. Gawith and H. Myers. ANNUAL REPORT. The fifteenth annual report of the association states: “Allowing for the erratic weather conditions the past season has been quite a good one and production satisfactory. Most herds were reported to be in good condition during the season which shows that dairymen are paying more attention to pastures, hay and crops. A new bucket plant made of stainless steel was purchased in the early part of the season. Our testing officer, Mr Sandbek, tested 36 herds and 4 ‘Own Samples Association’ herds and the assistant sampling officer was engaged for 10 days per month. This season, 1937-38, 1540 group cows, comprising 36 herds and 52 cows, ‘Own Samples Association’ (4 herds) were tested. Last season, 1936-37, 1288 group cows, in 32 herds, were under test, and 44 cows ‘Own Samples Association’ in 3 herds. The average number of cows per head was: 193637, 40.25; 1937-38, 42.8. Last season, 1936-37, 35 calves were tattoo-marked and this season 23.”