GETTING RID OF ROBBER COWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 February 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

GETTING RID OF ROBBER COWS

HERD TESTING

pertained breeding, the elimination of unprofitable cows, the eradication of “scrub" bulls, and an encouragement of the use of purebred bulls, bred on the best butterfat record. Each group herd testing association is represented on the federation by one delegate, who attends the annual meeting of the Council of the Federation. In 1934, it was decided to work with the Dairy Control Board and for this purpose, the headquarters of the federation were transferred from Hamilton to Wellington. VALUE OF TESTING. Testing enables each member of an association to determine the value of every cow in his herd —to identify the I good, medium and poor producers. This j cannot bo done in any other way than iby testing. Once the capability of the individual cows is known, an opportunity is afforded of increasing production from the herd. The constant mating of the best producing cows and a bull with a good butterfat backing should establish a herd of high-producing cows. Cows under test usually get on that account better care, and more attention is given to the subjet of their feeding. When there is nothing to emphasise the individuality of the cow, her needs are not watched as closely as when there is some object in giving her particular attention. The owner of a tested herd learns to know his cows as individuals —not merely as units bearing given names. Each cow becomes an interesting personality. At the broadest view, herd testing is the keynote to better farming and rouses those by whom it is adopted to increased interest and enthusiasm. The kern, progressive dairyman utilises herd testing to his great advantage. In Jiese days of rapid advance in the eeknique of farming, the non-testing dairy farmer is being left well behind ri the dairying world. Our members who have tested their herds each sea:cn since (lie inception of the movement have inereasd the production of their herds from 100 to 150k>s of but.erfat per cow. Many of these enterprising dairymen have at the same time increased greatly the carrying capacity r.f their farms.

GREAT VALUE TO DAIRYING INDUSTRY

WAY TO BETTER FARMING

PROGRESS IN THE WAIRARAPA

Apart from a temporary setback during' the depression years, herd testing has made good progress in the Wairarapa during a period of nearly sixteen years. The extension of the movement in this district and the benefits it offers to those engaged in the dairy industry are outlined in the following article by Mr A. 11. Humphrey, secretary of the Wairarapa Herd Testing Association.

With the support of some keen dairymen and the help of the Farmers’ Union. herd testing was started in the Wairarapa in September, 1923, and since that time has been established successfully. It is accepted from a utilitarian and economic standpoint as a means of carrying the dairyman through to prosperity—of enabling him to obtain a much bettor return than would otherwise bo possible from a given outlay of capita] and labour. Herd testing is an outstanding example of the new methods made possible by a practical application of scientific knowledge, which are revolutionising the dairy industry.

Four herd losing groups were at first formed —Gladstone, Greytown Martinborough and Featherston ■ with approximately 1200 cows to the group. Observing the improvement in (heir neighbour;:' tested herds and in but’.er fat production from these herd.:, many non-testing dairymen, as time went on joined the association. Within a few years, seven groups were operating, with nearly 10.000 cows - under test. During the depression years, unfortunately, there was some falling away from that total, but during the last four seasons there has again been an upward tendency. During these four seasons, the number of cows under test has increased by nearly 2500. Al present approximately 8200 cows are being tested in the Wairarapa. FORMATION OF FEDERATION. In 1926, Mr C. M. Hume, Herd Recording Supervisor, was instrumental in forming the Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation, ‘which provided machinery for standardising group herd testing methods throughout New Zealand and encouraging an extension of the system. The defined objects of group herd testing were to improve the standard of dairy cattle in the Dominion by systematic and efficient testing. by the marking of calves of as-

In the first season of testing, the dairy farmer discovers more unprofitable animals than he would have believed his herd could include. These cows are culled. In the second season, the farmer culls from the first season’s "doubt fills,” and in the third season one or two “less-doubtfuls” Then the herd is improved by the introduction of stock which has been bred from high producers. Even so, some of these may prove to be unprofitable, but by continuous testing and rigorous culling.' the herd is kept up to a high standard of efficiency. The aim of the dairyman should be to discover the least number of cows which will pro-

EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY IN PRODUCTION.

cilice a maximum amount of butterfat per acre, with a minimum of labour.

When the dairyman has faith in his cows, these are given the best of treatment; as a matter of course the pastures receive greater attention and the owner attains contentment.