JERSEY ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3084, 15 May 1917, Page 8

JERSEY ASSOCIATION

;,,' v ANNUAL REPORT. ' ~:The annual report of the Ken- Zeaand Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association states: "Your council have the pleasure and satisfaction of reporting "a" greater record of prosperity than in _any previous year m the annals of "the association.. The protraction of the war has brought about quite abnormal and unsettled conditions in tho dairy industry, and while no one (has any -doiibt that the great struggle will end in victory for the Allied arms, there 'has -naturally been much anxiety alcut ■the "immediate future of the great producing industries of the Dominion. During the year 66 new members were

elected, as against 39 in the previous year,' and only eight names wero icmoved from the register on account of the resignations of tho members, as against 18 in the previous 12 months. Tho total membership is now 388 a net increase of 58 for tho year; 'j'he net profits for the year amounted to £878 os. 7d. Once more theve has boon a striking demand for bulls and tho number that have changed hands show a considerable increase. One hundred cows have been awarded certificates of record by the N.Z. Department, of Agriculture as a result of semi-official tests during the year. Up to tho present time 358 Jersey cows of different, ages have been a waded certificates. Those show that tho averngo production of these cows is 403.901b. of butter-fat, which must be regarded as vory satisfactory indeed, when it is remembered that a very large proportion of the animals tested were hoifert. with their fivst calves, tho minimum production of fat in such cases being 240.51b. fat in 365 days; During the pasi year over one-hall' of the cows tested ciime under this class, and one of them, Mere, a heifer, bred and tested in the Dominion, had the proud distinction of making a world's record for cows of any breed commencing test under two years of age. In 365 days JJero produced the wonderful record of 663.641b. butter-fat. Forty-eight cows earned the subsidy of £1 Is. eacli granted by your council for the production,of 1001b. or over of butter-fat above the amount required to qualify for a certificate ,of record. Acting under the recommendation of the last meeting, your council have offered a premium of £25 to the Krst Jersey cow of any age that produces- 8501b. or over of butter-fat under semi-official test, and they hope that' this will still further stimulate improvement in the deßvved direction. Your council feels that it ought to acknowledge hero the continued efficiency, courtesy, and interest of the officers of the Dairy Division of the N.Z. Department of Agriculture, in the conduct of the semi-official testing. Kvery assistance possible has been given to the office by the Departmental Staff, whose work cannot be too warmly eulogised."