S.I. Cows’ Yield Of Fat Highest In N.Z.

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 11

S.I. Cows’ Yield Of Fat Highest In N.Z.

The estimated average production from cows under test in the South Jsland Herd Improvement Association's district in the most recent season at 3301 b of fat is the highest for the whole of the country and the highest in the 21year history of the association. Reporting this to the annual meeting of conveners of the association the general manager, Mr J. R. Unwin, said that it was a creditable effort by farmers. Although annual averages had not yet been-completed, Mr Unwin said, six herds had again done better than 5001 b of butterfat. The top herd with 5721 b of fat in 276 days was that of Udy Brothers (Menzies Ferry,-Southland). Other herds over 5001 b were F, A. Bradfield. (Owaka) , 5381 b" in 289 days, Macartney Brothers Tapu) 5311 b in 278 days, D. and G. T. Bathgate . (iOutram) 5301 b in 293 days, E. L. Crosland (Prebbleton) 5121 b in 292 days, and N. J. Sherriff (Milford) 5041 b in 273 days. Referring. to the performance of Mr Crosland’s herd, Mr Unwin said it was the first time that the association had had a Jersey herd with more than 5001 b ot! fat. The best performance for a herd of 100 cows or more was that of Cherry Farm, Seacliff Hospital, With 4221 b in 290 days for a herd of 108 cows.

Mr J. W. Stichbury, director of herd improvement for the New Zealand Dairy Board, told., the meeting that the estimated Dominion average for cows under test was 3181 b, compared with 3191 b in 1958-59.

Mr Unwin said it was unfortunate that the twenty-first year of the association’s life should end with a financial loss on herd recording; but this, he said, had been brought about mainly by increasees in the award rates for testing officers and the general wage order. Bigger Herds

One of the most notable features of herd recording had been the increase in the* average size of herds and had tlie association been aware that there would be this increase it might not have had to raise the fees by 9d a cow under group testing, but he said that there was a resolution on its books allowing it to return a profit to members if a good profit was made. Mr Unwin said that it • looked as though there would be a fur-

ther increase in Artificial breeding operations this year. He said that the association had had to maintain deep freeze insurance banks throughout the area against irregularities ih air services, and it seemed that there would have to be more of them this year. He felt as far- as possible fees for artificial breeding should be left alone, with a rebate payment at the end pf the year. The chairman, Mr J. G. Macartney, said that to secure higher production he would prefer to depend on herd testing alone rather than on artificial breeding alone. A .good part of the increase ■iii average. butterfat production from 250 to 3301 b during the history of the association had been due to additional interest in stock and better management and feeding. Messrs J. G. Macartney and R. C. Nalder were re-elected to the management committee ' representing testing members in the Canterbury and Golden BayBuller wards respectively; Mr R. G. Thomson was re-elected to represent users of the artificial breeding service in the Marl-borough-Nelson ward and Mr F. G. Harris was re-elected to represent dairy companies in the Canterbury and Westland districts. With only one dissentient the meeting approved a resolution urging that should be no further curtailment of granting extended herd averages.