HERD-TESTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 174, 25 July 1928, Page 5

HERD-TESTING.

RAPID ADVANCE IN NORTH,

NORTHERN WAIROA ASSOCIATION. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DARGAVILLE, this day. In presenting the sixth annual report of the Northern Wairoa Herd Testing Association, the chairman, Mr. P. YV. Hill, said the association had a very good credit balance, which, together with the forthcoming Government subsidy, would be used for considerably reducing the cost of testing to the members. The association had this year tested 6731 cows, against 3250 tested last year. The test was lower, on the average, but this was accounted for by the particularly wet spring- and the severe drought which followed it. A very important lesson could be learned from last season's experience, and that was to preserve in some form or other some of the surplus grass which was grown in a good season. The leading herd in the association was so fed and instead of this herd recording a dc- j crease an actual increase was the outcome. Mr. Hill said that the whole of North Auckland had been or was being fully organised under the rules of the Federation of Herd Testing. In his opinion the association's success was due to the adoption of testing at a depot, instead of on the farms. The New Zealand Dairy Association had now realised the value of that system and was adopt - ing it. Mr. Hill submitted a verbal report upon the conference of the Herd Testing Federation held at Palmerston North. A deputation had been successful in obtaining the increase of the subsidy to £9600, or 1/6 per cow. It was resolved to ask the Government to renew the subsidy for a further two years at 1/6 per cow and that the subsidy be granted to the federation on the lines outlined at the conference. The manager would spend some time shortly in the Maungaturoto district, said Mr. Hill, as that company had decided to join the association.

OPOTTKI ASSOCIATION.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) OFOTIKI, Tuesday. Mr. Hume, of the New Zealand Herd Testing Association, addressed a meeting of farmers in Opotiki last night, and stressed the need for farmers to adopt herd-testing. He explained the method of calf marking which had already proved a great success in the Waikato, where the demand for marked calves exceeded the supply and week-old calves were worth £4. Mr. R. J. Smith asked if it would not be possible for dairy company directors to assist on all suppliers testing their cows. Mr. Hume answered that this was a new idea, which seemed worthy of serious consideration. An argument developed on the question whether dairy factories should attempt to compel suppliers to test. After a long discussion it was resolved, "That this meeting suggests that the Opotiki Herd Testing Association, either by way of a personal canvass, or by circular, approach suppliers of the dairy factory, with a view to increasing group herd testing."