TESTING OF HERDS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 138, 15 June 1927, Page 17

TESTING OF HERDS

A. NEW DEVELOPMENT

THREE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES

AID TO SUCCESSFUL FARMING

Test or bust!" That is the very pointed slogan of at least one prominent advocate of the many advantages of systematic herd-testing, and it is a^slogan that might ivell be adopted by every dairy farmer who is anxious to make a success of his business or, in other words, does not wish "to bust". Herd-testing is a comparatively new development in New Vealand, but already its many advantages have been proved.

In adopting herd-testing, New Zealand, really followed in the footsteps of its keenest rival, Denmark. It was in 1895 that a system of herd-testing was first introduced into Denmark, 'and when the succe.°<3 of the scheme was'observed other countries were not: slow in following suit. In New Zealand four systems of testing are in operation. The first is known as the certificate of record system, but this is probably top expensive to be popular with farmers, especially in these hard times.; THis system is controlled by the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture, and is for purebred cows only. The farmer weighs all milkings, and officers of the division sample, weigh, and test the milk —lour milkings in each 30 days. In 1926 806 purebred cows w.ere tested urder this system, which has now bei:ome practically a thing of the p.'<:st. Under -the -association system (aiso controlled by the Dairy Divi-

vote some attention to remarks made by Mr. C. M. Hume, general manager of the New Zealand Co-operative Herd-Testing Association, in a carefully prepared paper. Mr. Hume stressed the fact, that any herd improvement scheme, to give the maximum benefits, must provide for at least three essential principle^:—

(1) That the Wights and samples be taken by a disinterested party. , ■..

(2) That provision be made* for the identification of tested cows. Cows will then be sold on their achievements, which will. automatically rule out the poor producer.

(3) ' That encouragement be given to the, use of the registered pedigree sire. This-can. be done by marking the heifer' calves* from the high-producing dams provided they are by- a registered pedigree sire.:-' ..'.::.■,. '-..-:

It is claimed that the group, method

farm machinery in general in a thoroughly effective condition. (9) Better homes. (10) The creation of the true cooperative spirit in the members of the family through the keen interest developed in the performances of the different animals and the achievements of better herds. (11) Dairying made more interesting and more profitable by working less with the hands and more with the head. (12) The solution of the drift to the town problem, by making the farm and everything associated with it more attractive to the members of the family. DEPARTMENT'S INTEREST. As has been suggested in another article in this issue, the Department of Agriculture takes a very, live interest in the subject of herd-testing. In summarising the results of the 1925-26 season, the Director of the Dairy Division (Mr. W. M. Singleton), in conjunction with Mr. W. N. Paton, gives some interesting facts which should be of general interest. For the season of 1925-26 dairy herd testing in the Dominion has shown a decrease in the number of cows under test as compared with the preceding season, when the greatest number in the history of the movement in this country since its inception in 1909 was recorded," he says. "On the basis, of all cows under herd-test which were tested two or more times the 1925-26 figures stand at 169,776, as against;l96,Bso for the preceding season, representing 13.0 per cent, and 14.9 per cent, respectively of the Dominion's total of all dairy cows in milk and dry for years specified. The decrease amounts to 27,074 cows, or 13.8 per cent, on the number of: cows under test for the 1924-25 season. DECREASE NOT SERIOUS. j "This decrease, although considerable, must not be viewed with serious misgivings. Herd-testing in New Zealand since the close of the Great War has been increasing very rapidly year by year, and it would seem that a stage has now been reached when a steadying-up in the progress of the movement is likely to be evidenced. Viewed in the light of the progress of herd-testing in certain countries i where the movement commenced at earlier dates, it would appear that we are only experiencing a similar temporary decrease to those experienced by the Others. Moreover, the total of dairy'cows in milk and dry in the Dominion has decreased from 31st January, 1925. to 31st January, 1926, to theextent of 19,57 c, or about 1.5 per cent. This must have had some influence, on the position, and in conjunction with the rather unsatisfactory dairying season experienced in 1925-26 may account for much of the decrease. However, group herd-testing shows an increase of 5172 cows, the totals being 105,227 for 1925-26 and 100,055 for 1924----25. Furthermore, the number of cows under test in the Southland Land District has risen from 3393 in 1924-25 to 8220 in 1925-26, or 142 per cent, is gratifying to record such an increase as this, but although the work has been taken up in many other new districts also, the position is offset by the fact that herd-testing has fallen off. in some ■of the older testing districts, with the result that all the principal land districts concerned show, decreases. One factor which has operated in this direction is doubtless the tendency on the part of a number of dairy farmers to test their cows for one season, and not to trouble re-testing any whose yields' are considered satisfactory in. comparison with the yield of the average cow in the herd.. Such dairymen often rejoin the association or group after a couple of years or so, and as, in their opinion, the: reconstitution oil the herd makes it necessary. Other eairy farmers, after, testing the herd for a season and culling out their lowest producers, • test the following season only those individuals still considered doubtful, or which have been brought, in as: heifers, or, as cows purchased, in order to maintain the numerical strength of the herd; ADDITIONS TO THE HERD. "If a dairy farmer cannot see his way to test his whole herd each season, the testing of all!females added to the herd should certainly be undertaken. This not only keeps the owner more up-toidate with; respect to data regarding the producing capacity of the individuals in his herd, but it also assists materially in ensuring the continuity of the association year by year. It cannot be gainsaid that a herd-testing association is an asset to .a district, and that a district sustains a'distinct loss when its association or group lapses through insufficient support. In view Of the irregularity in testing referred to, the total number of cows under test in any one season, therefore, cannot be taken as a. correct index of the number of tested cows in the Dominion's dairy herds. '•''.';,. COLLECTING DATA. "Ever since the inception of dairy herd-testing in the* Dominion the .Be-' partment has been collecting data in regard to the number; of all' cows under test each year, and seasonal production figures for only those associations controlled, by officers of the Dairy Division. It was not until four years ago that the collection of seasonal production data from all herd-testing organisations operating throughout the Dominion was undertaken. The dairy instructors for the various districts report to the head office of the Dairy Division what herd-testing bodies, etc., are operating in their respective districts,'together with the number of cows under test.. This return, in addition to correspondence on file with various existing and intending associations, provides a list which, although it may not be absolutely complete, is as nearly so as possible.* No account is taken of cases where dairymen axe doing their own testing, as the collection of-information -pa these lines

is not very feasible. Since, however, many dairy farmers have their own testing appliances, quite a lot of;this work must be going on. With the aid of this list all herd-testing bodies are circularised each year with a rpquest to supply a seasonal prodiictioii summary for all tested cowsinmi^fc 100 ; days or over since calving, ,bis not exceeding 365 days, and to cofii firm the number of cows tested twide •* wmn. Heedless to' say, the ■wort is attended with many difficulties, but through the co-operation ofthe;vari* ous testing bodies . fairly complete information on a uniform basis his been collected each year"

WHERE NEW DEPARTMENT \ COMES M. !

Although good progress has beeii made there can be no doubt that there is still room for an expansion o£ herd-testing. The latest figures available show that some 1,181,441 cows are in milk in New Zealand/arid that of this total some 169,776 cow^ or 14.4 per cent., have been under; test. In the Auckland district •onie 25 per cent, of the cows are under;, test, but in Otago only one per centare so surveyed." In the North Island one cow in every six and in the South Island one in twenty were* tested in 1925-26. It is not anticipated: that the new Department of Scientific arid Industrial Research will play any part in furthering the actual work of herd-testing, 'other than giving the movement its blessing; but the results of herd-testing will interest the Dfcpartnient quite a lot. The compilation of data involved will provide information bearirig light upon other problems in' which research is contemplated—for example, the influence of pastures* management, and top-dressing, upon butter-fat production, and other animal nutrition- and economic - problems. . •■'■'. ■ ;';