WOMEN TEST HERDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 2

WOMEN TEST HERDS

RECENT APPOINTMENTS RESULT OF MAN SHORTAGE THREE WORKING IN WAIKATO As a result of the shortage of herd testers because ot the war, the Auckland Herd Improvement Association recently appointed three women testers, who have already taken up their duties. It is the first time that women have been employed in the capacity of herd testers in the Dominion. The three young women studied the details of their new work at a special herd testers’ course at Massey College, and it is reported that they are giving satisfaction in the carrying out of their new duties. One of the three women, Miss S. Webster, is employed at Waitoa, and the other two, Misses E. A. Parker and D. J. Gray, at Te Awamutu. Increase in Herds The number of herds being tested by the Auckland Herd Improvement Association shows a large increase over last season. Although there are still herds to be signed up, the number already being tested numbers 1950, against 1513 last season. The number already under test .his season is only 95 herds below the record season of 1933-34, when 2045 herds were under test. The increase in numbers is taken as an indication of the increasing interest producers are taking in herd improvement and sire survey work.