33

H.—29a

A number of herd-testing associations have also been conducted in the Auckland Province, several associations being under the control of one man, while others have each engaged the whole time of the man appointed for this duty. In the Gisborne district the testing of dairy herds on a systematic basis was commenced this season under the direction of the local Dairy Instructor, and has been attended with considerable success. Some herd-testing has also been carried on in the Wellington Province. Apart from the organized associations a very large number of cows have been tested by dairyfactory managers throughout the North Island, and a number of dairy companies have offered every inducement for the suppliers to send in their samples of milk regularly for testing, allowing the farmer to make up his own figures after taking from time to time the weights of milk produced by each cow in his herd. A small herd-testing association was conducted during the year at one of the cheese-factories in Marlborough, as the result of the efforts of the local factory-manager, and is to be continued next year under a sound working arrangement, While the herd-testing movement in New Zealand has not made the progress which its importance demands, it is believed that the near future will see a considerable extension in this direction, Certificate-of-Record Testing of Purebked Dairy Cows. The testing of purebred dairy cows continues to be recognized as an important feature of the Department's dairy endeavour. During the year under review the work has become more firmly established, and many owners who had not previously tried this system of testing are now included in the list of testing breeders. Each year's work adds to the number of certificate-of-record cows, and at the present some 485 cows have produced records on which their owners have received certificates. These records include instances of exceptionally high productions, despite the fact that the requirements regarding regular calving are so exacting that few breeders are inclined to strive for abnormal yields. During the year many of the preceding year's class leaders have been superseded. Amongst, the Friesians three new class leaders appear, and of these Manor Beets Daughter II of Ashlynn is the most outstanding. As a senior three-year-old this cow has a credit of 13,733*9 lb. milk, containing 86351 lb. butter-fat. This is the highest New Zealand record to date, and the fact that it is held by an immature cow makes it all the more creditable. Of the new Jersey leaders, Lady of Collingwood's record as a four-year-old has claimed considerable attention, when on her third consecutive year's test she produced 73607 lb. of butter-fat. This places her as leader of that class. Certificates granted during the year number 179. Many of the cows were milked 365 days. The average time that, elapsed between the calving at the commencement of the lest and the commencement of the next lactation season was just thirteen months. These 179 cows produced in their season an aggregate of 1,716,551-40 lb. milk, containing 77,239-65 11). butter-fat, representing an average yield per cow in 345 days of 9,589*67 lb. milk, containing 431*51 lb. butterfat. Each year's work directs attention to dairy sires whose daughters are qualifying on production. As many as twenty-nine sires now have four or more C.O.R. daughters from separate dams. As a, sire's number of C.O.R. daughters increases, and as more sires qualify through such daughters, more knowledge is available to breeders and others as to what strains best satisfy the demands of utility. Staff. During an exceedingly busy year all officers of the Division have shown a keen sense of duty and attention to the work allotted to them, and it has been a source of pleasure to be, associated with so many who were both willing and anxious to give their best in the service.

5—H. 29a.