Self-sample testing for dairy herds

Press, 8 September 1978, Page 14

Self-sample testing for dairy herds

A new system of dairy herd testing is being developed in the South Island by the Livestock Improvement Association. Basically a self-sample system, the new service is being offered in the Kaikoura district this year. The system’s advantages, fr.om a farmer’s point of view, are no testing officers to provide accommodation for, no strangers in the shed during milking, and a cheaper service than the conventional one. “Farmers in the Kaikoura area have shown enthusiasm for this development,” says Mr C. Auchinvole, manager of field

services for the LIA, “and we are keen to have a trial year. “The benefits to the association are that we can test more than one herd per day in an area, with the farmer performing the milk sample collection on his own. Milk samples from each herd can then be handled at a central point, and the normal testing procedures carried out.” The new system will not be suitable for pedigree breeders or herds participating in the Dairy Board’s sire proving scheme.

A further development is a milk-records-only herd recording service, available to town milk herds in Nelson, for a trial year. “The diversification of services is in response to requests fr.om members and is part of a national development in milk testing,” according to Mr R. S. Johnston, general manager of the association. “The trials we carry out in the South Island will give us an indication of transport and other problems we may have in providing centralised testing services over a wider part of our servicing area.”