REORGANISATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1939, Page 5

REORGANISATION

HERD TESTING MOVEMENT ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS. MOVE TO ASCERTAIN BEST METHODS. The manager of the WellingtonHawke’s Bay Herd Improvement Association, Mr T. G. W. Page, was in attendance at the annual meetings of each association in the Wairarapa and explained the objects of the herd improvement plan being launched by the New Zealand Dairy Board. The work of the herd testing associations was to be reorganised and the cooperation of all organisations working in the interests of herd improvement solicited. Herd testing had failed to show results in many herds, because the farmer had failed to follow up the results obtained. Under the new organisation it was hoped to assist farmers to make use of the results obtained in their herd management. Examples were given of the values of the correct interpretation of herd testing results in adjusting herd management to obtain higher averages in herd production. Several angles of approach were intended, one, by personal contact per medium of a field officer who would assist the farmer to interpret his herd testing returns and, another, by the analysis of data to determine results of breeding operations, upon production, disease resistance, longevity of production, and again by research into farming practice to ascertain the most successful farming methods.

High standards of efficiency for both inside and field services were to be set and farmers were requested to make the fullest use of the services provided. Certain services were to be provided which could only be supplied by a large organisation substantially subsidised. Much misunderstanding existed as to the purpose of the grants, some opinions being that because a member had tested fairly consistently, he should be entitled to similar discount of fees as the member who had tested every year, but it was pointed out that the discount grants were given for the valuable data in respect to breeding, disease, etc., which a continuity of records would provide. The discount grants were as follows: Ten per cent discounts upon testing fees for herds testing for the third and fourth season in succession, 15 per cent discount for herds testing in their fifth season in succession, and 20 per cent for the sixth or later seasons in succession. Future ’ discounts would be subject to proviso that the calves be identified, and full information be supplied the testing officer.

At the annual meeting of the Gladstone Group it was decided to change the name of the group to the’ Masterton Group. To retain the local interest in increased herd production, it was intended to have a committee in each group with a convenor as chairman. The convenor would attend the annual meeting of the organisation and register the vote for his group of 26 members. In this way those members some distance from the centre of control would have equal s ( ay in the administration, the same as members adjacent to Palmerston North. The function of the committee would be similar to previous arrangements, but without financial responsibility. The following committee men and convenors were elected: —

Greytown groups: Messrs A. M. Haigh (convenor), L. J. Thompson, R. C. O’Neale, P. M. J. Oates, J. Lukies, R. Dyson, P. Hammond. Gladstone (Mastertqn Group): Messrs L. R. Wilton (convenor), T. R. Eaton. A. C. Gawith, H. Myers, F. C. Wrigley, G. H. Blundell. C. Oliver, H. C. Mortensen.

Martinborough: Messrs A. W. George (convenor), W. H. Corfield, E. R. Burch. F. Wright, K. S. McMaster, J. Martin, H. J. Pryor. Pahiatua: Messrs Bargh (convenor). R. Ness, A. McKay.