MILTON NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19952, 23 August 1928, Page 12

MILTON NOTES

GROUP HERD TESTING [froit Ouit CoKKiisi’oxas.XT.] A meeting of dairy fanners and others interested was held in St. John’s Hall on Tuesday evening to consider the matter of group herd testing. Mr A. Tweed occupied the chair, and Messrs A. A. Jensen and H. (J. Anderson, chairman and secretary respectively of the Stirling Herd Testing Association, were present, and addressed the meeting. The difference between the old method adopted by herd testing associations and the present method of group testing was explained by Mr Jensen, who said that llio old way, in which tho farmers themselves Took the samples and weights of milk, entailed a good ileal of labour, mope especially in cases where milking'machines were in use. lu the group method a qualified tester was appointed to Lake charge of each group of herds, about twenty-eight herds being tho maximum number allotted to one (ester. The tester visited each herd in the group once a month, weighing and testing the milk of each cow both morning and evening. Where machines were m use ho carried his own bucket plant with him to enable the milk of each cow to bo kept separate for weighing and testing purposes. The Stirling Association, which was a branch of the Southland Association, had one complete group and a part of another group, and Ins object in addressing the meeting was to endeavour to interest the dairy farmers in tho matter and so complete the second group of the Stirling Association. Mr Jensen made a strong plea for farmers to take up this matter of testing their herds, and quoted figures to show the improvement effected ill individual herds by regular testing and culling. It cost little more to feed a good cow than a.‘‘dud,” and the difference in yield made all tho different between profitable and unprofitable dairy farming. After Mr Jensen’s remarks had been supplemented by Mr Anderson a conversational discussion ensued, from which it could ho gathered that tho small size of llio herds in tho Milton district would militate against the success of a comprehensive herd testing scheme. It was eventually agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the directors of the local dairy factory, who would arrange for a canvass to ho made if such were considered likely to be successful. Advantage was taken to discuss tho question of tho disposal of surplus calves, commonly known as “ bobby calves.” The chairman reported on the result of the meeting held at lialclutha lately at which Mr J. C. M'Donough, representing the South Island Dairy Association at Invercargill, explained the working of the Southland scheme. The calves had been collected from the farmers, lolled and frozen, and shipped Home, tho skins being marketed locally. Tho veils were sold to tho 'New “ Zealand Rennet Company, and the livers, hearts, tongues, and kidneys were shipped. Tho whole shipments were pooled, tho net proceeds being divided on an at per head basis. Tho gross returns averaged 16s per head, and the expenses were 6s ll.Otid, giving a net return of 9s pier head. Tho chairman sa.id that tho South Otago Freezing Company had agreed to deal with the calves from the South Otago district, tho calves being carried to tho works by lorry. Tho calves have to be five days old before being slaughtered. Tho advance made in Southland would bo 7s per head for tho coming season, and it was probable a similar advance would be made in South Otago. Tho scheme met with the approval of those present as being a distinct advance on th© old method of indiscriminate slaughter. j