BETTER HERDS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19886, 15 May 1936, Page 6

BETTER HERDS

TE AWAMUTU MEETIKC. GOOD PROGRIOS REPORTED. RESULTS or CONSISTENT TESTXXG ._— (Times Representative.) TE .“VAML‘TU, Thursday. Many matters airecting the dairy industry were discussed at Te Awamutu to-day when the annual meeting of the Te Awamutu and district groups of the New Zealand Geooperatire Herd—testing Association was held. Mr \V. L. Ranstead presided. Mr Ranstead referred to the experiments carried out in the past year by the association. with artificial tnsemination. saying the results were not as good as had been hoped for. This was due to the lack of suitable apparatus and the dimculty of covering the scattered areas. An informative address was given by Mr F. 0. Knight. district organiser. who referred to the decrease in membership of herds. evidently due to the hard times through which the industry had been passing. However. a good percentage of members who had continued with the association‘s service had been well pleased with the results. He had known instances where, with the aid of consistent test.ing. smaller herds had produced increased returns. Testing was a reitabie guide to sound breeding and assisted in increasing production. “ Eye-Opener " Figures. Quoting some instances of what he termed “eye-openers" Mr Knight said one cow of his experience had given 5561 b of fat in 366 days and prior to testing the man had not realised that he owned such a. good producer. in another herd a cow which had narrowly escaped being nominated as a cult had produced. under test, 5671 b fat in 292 days at i9.}'ears. while a nominated cull in another herd had given 35211) in 310 days. Mr G. H. Seed, of Matamata. had tested his herd consistently for years, continued the speaker. with the result that during the year before last 150 cows had averaged 3601 b tat, last year 170 cows had given 350“). and 3711 b had been averaged by 170 cows this year.

The ultimate objective of the association. said Mr Knight. was to be sure that both pedigrees and grades were placed under test. The American method or testing was well worthy of application here. and the testing procedure in one of the European countries was also much more thorough than in New haland. The association‘s general average last year was 259.761!) fat and this year it. was expected that 2551 b would be attained. The speaker stated that they could not fix the scale of charges until June. but he expected that there would be an increase. In view of the pending legislation he was unable to say what the charges would be, and although the association was working as economically as possible they were faced with a rise in wages. The reserve account had carried on through the depression at reduced prices, but it was becoming depleted. Frown-lull Testing. “\Ve have not one satisfactory scheme here for proven—bull testing at. present. but we will have to make some improvement." the speaker stated. Several steps had already been advanced. and although the scheme was not yet ready for introduction he was confident of its success. The continuance of calf-mark-ing would be a step towards providinz adequate records for the proven-bull scheme, concluded the speaker. In reply to a question concerning the work on mammltis Mr Knight said the decision was being held in abeyance pending the reports of Mr Udy and the Government officers. It was hoped to institute an inexpensive and yet practical scheme. Mr A. ’l‘. Bryant mentioned that his herd was on both mammltis and Government test, and that the figures showed fair uniformity. Members in the district groups adopted a favourable attitude towards the :uz-mmitts test.

Mr Knight said it would be dangerous for (he association to rccapmse grade bulls—pure blood wita u 300'] Mt hacking was essential :0 keep up tne i'crd productivity. Mr Ranszend sizlicd that it was desired to get bulls than would pass their good qualities on :0 their daughters. Artificial insemination would be oi great assistance in this respect. ‘

In View at the small attendance it. was decided to deter the appointment of the group committees. The meeting closed with a vote of thank! to Messrs Ranstead and Knight.