HERD TESTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1938, Page 7

HERD TESTING

MARTINBOROUGH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. SEASON’S PROSPECTS BRIGHT. Mr A. W. George presided over the annual meeting of the Martinborough Herd Testing Association, held at Martinborough last week. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Committee: Messrs A. W. George (chairman), W. H. Corfield, E. R. Burch, R. McGaffin. J. McGillicuddy, F. Wright, K. S. McMaster and J. Martin; delegates to Wairarapa Herd Testing central executive, Messrs A. W. George, W. H. Corfield and J. Martin. Mr J. Jolly was reappointed auditor. The fifteenth annual report states: “The past season has not been conducive to dairying generally, the climatic and pasture conditions being erratic. Towards the latter part of the season there was little growth of pasture, which was the cause of several herds not completing the usual full lactation season. Although production is only down 31bs of butterfat per cow on the previous season, there is room for great improvement in the majority of the herds in the association, and the slogan of ‘Breed, feed and weed’ should be adhered to. Prospects looked bright at the beginning of the season for having a full complement of 26 herds under test, but several herds at the last moment were withdrawn, owing mostly to abortion. However, we maintained 22 group herds, comprising 1417 caws and 10 own samples cows in one herd. The average number of cows per herd for the 1936-37 season was 63.1 and this season, 64.4 cows. The past season has been a heavy one financially, owing to a Testing Officers’ Union having been formed, meaning an increase in wages and travelling allowances, also, a six-coW plant of stainless steel buckets was purchased early in the season. It is suggested that members and prospective members should sign for the 1938-39 season as early as possible as this will greatly assist organising. Members can help to reduce costs considerably by encouraging their neighbours to |est, thus doing each a good turn.”