JERSEY CATTLE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12822, 17 August 1939, Page 8

JERSEY CATTLE

IMPROVEMENT PLAN DISCUSSED BY JERSEY CLUB At the annual meeting of the Tauranga Jersey Cattle Club held recently, Mr R. Strugnell said that one of the questions discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Jersey Association was. whether it was advisable to register or transfer bulls from untested dams. The question arose out of the Dairy Board’s herd improvement plan, which had been, discussed by the New Zealand Jersey Council, the object of the plan being the lifting of butter-fat production by eliminating the bull without butter-fat backing. This, it was considered, could be done by restricting the registration of transfer of bulls from untested dams.

The New Zealand Jersey Association, after discussion of the subject, passed , the following resolution: “That this meeting endorses the recommendation of the Council of the New Zealand Jersey Association, that a scheme be introduced restricting in future the registration or transfer of bulls from untested dams provided that in view of the great impetus which would consequently follow in testing as a result of such a scheme, and also the benefit which would accrue not only to the breed but to the dairying industry in general, the Government were prepared to continue under the same conditions appertaining as at present to the C.O.R. and Government O.H.T. systems conducted under the -jurisdiction of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture.” The Dairy Breeders’ Federation also'took up the question when the recommendation of the Special Committee was that the Government should make the O.H.T. available as at present and that a strong deputation should be put up by the Breeds’ Federation to support the claim. It was pointed out that though the industry depended on the breeders for its herd sires, they were not encouraged enough to produce highly backed sires, and grade bulls were sold by the hundred. Many high quality bulls were not being raised because a fair price could not be got for them. As the Government was dependent on the dairy production of the country, assistance in testing was the finest investment that could be made. If a man wanted to increase his production he should' use pedigree bulls with, high butter-fat backing. The Federation finally decided to recommend to the various breed societies the suggestion that transfers of bulls should be refused, except in the case of bulls from tested dams, and a committee was appointed to interview the Minister with regard to the continuance of the Government O.H.T. scheme under present conditions. Mr Strugnell said steps should be taken by the Tauranga Jersey Cattle Club to support the proposals which had for their object the raising of production. In his opinion the testing of all pedigree cows should be compulsory and registration should only be granted to bulls from tested 'dams. This procedure, w.as operating in Denmark and had resulted in raising the average production per cow. ~ ”

Mr Clarke said that testing of dams would not necessarily cure the ill. Like did not always beget like. Mr Hartstone said he had known bulls from untested dams to throw excellent butter-fat stock. By doing as suggested it would mean knocking out the small breeder, as he could not afford to test. The big breeder would be in a better position financially, -

Mr Trotter said a pedigree was not always an infallible guarantee. He agreed, however, that a breeder should always test his cows in his own interests. ,

Mr Watt said generally speaking if a good test was wanted the cows should have plenty of good suitable feed.

Mr Silvesteir considered the proposal a step in the right direction. Opinion on the subject appeared to be fairly divided and no action was taken.

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Co-oper.ative Herd Testing Association, Mr R. A. Caddy, who presided, said: “During the past seven years this association has not made the progress it should in increasing the production per cow,” When we realise that our average production per cow is almost 1001 b. below that of our greatest competitor, the Dane, it shows only too well what a wonderful advantage he has over us. What is possible for him is possible for us v and, with the combined wisdom of our farmers, breeders and technical assistants, it will be achieved.” ,

Mr Candy ,said the lack of progress could be attributed to the following ■ factors: blems, reducing the percentage of cows possible to replace for low production. (2) Lack of ability on the part of the average sire in use in the industry to leave daughters as good as their dams. (3) Lack of any real measuring rod showing the efficiency of sires so that those of benefit to the industry would be maintained within, it for the maximum' period of years, and those a drag on it discarded at the earliest opportunity. (4) Incomplete utilisation by farmers of the data made available for them.

“If by an attack on the ’ disease position from a sound basis we can extend the working life of our dairy cows by one year,” said Mr Candy, “we can save the farming community an annual replacement cost of £ 500,000. By increasing our average production per cow by 101 b., we can lift the industry’s return, on today’s prices, by £ 1,200,000. What other avenue shows such possibilities?”