A FINE HERD.

Franklin Times, Volume XVII, Issue 73, 29 June 1927, Page 5

A FINE HERD.

AVERAGE OF 322.96L85. OF FAT. A MAUKU RECORD. Since the advent of herd-testing in this district a keener desire on the part of dairymen to increase the production of their herds has been stimulated, and each year a remarkable increase in the various'groups is noticeable from the group returns furnished by the HerdTesting Association. The figures indicate that/in the majority of cases the individual herds are on the improve. Last week details were given of the increased production in Mr, H. Dell's herd at Waiau Pa from about 2001bs. in 1918-1919 to 310.311b5. in 19261927 season. Yesterday, Mr. I. G. Wymer, of Mauku, called at the “Times” office with particulars of the average of his herd of 58 cows. Mr. Wymer’s farm is situated opposite the Glenbrook railway station, on the Waiuku branch railway. On July T, 12

years ago, Mr. Wymer took over this land, and at that time it was in a very rough state, stumps and blackberry being very much in evidence, while the place was overrun with rabbits. For about seven years Mr. Wymer followed the occupation of sheep farming, and this gave him the opportunity of clearing his" land and of putting it down in permanent pasture. About five years ago he decided to go in for dairying, and selected Jcrsey-Ayrshire cross and grade Ayrshire cows for his herd. Last year Rie herd produced an average of 2811bs. of butter-fat in 278 days, but this year the herd of 58 cows averaged 322.961b5. of fat in 280 days, a somewhat remarkable average considering that he had hut four years in which 'to-' build up his herd. Dairymen know that it is impossible to build up a decent herd in a short time, but Mr. Wymer’s judg-j ment, in the selection of his foundation. cows, appears to have been well place.d. The farm consists of 160 acre’s,, and it wintered 100 head of cattle and horses, in addition to 100 head of sheep, which were running on the farm until May 1 last.

Asked under what conditions the record was established, Mr. Wymer said that the only feed the cows received was provided by his beautiful pasture paddocks. They had not been, handfed,- otherwise the production might have been, greater. “Under •‘‘’Normal - Conditions.” Asked for an expression of opinion ; as regards the value of top-dressing, for dairy production, Mr. Wymer replied that he believed in plenty of top-, dressing, as it was by this means that the quality of the pastures was retained. Without tqp-drepsing in abundance, one might as well give up farming,. he added. While on the subject of top-dressing! Mr. Wymer stated that if a dairyman, had good pasture pad-

docks and was not getting a decent return from his cows, which was a common occurrence, his advice was for those so placed to enlist the services of the herd-testing officer right away, as there was something wrong with the productive qualities of the herd. “If you look .after the grass, the cows should give the buter-fat,” was a rc--mark made by Mr. Wymer, who qualified the statement by adding: “If the cows are any good at all. Cows, like anything else, have their peculiarities,” he said, and he gave an instance of one of his own cows which, last year, produced 2751b5. of fat, and this year she gave. 861bs. of fat in 100 days, and was dry at the end of this period. “Did she come in all right?” asked the Pressman.

“Yes, she was in splendid condition when she calved. She was quite normal, and the good season was all in her favour, but she failed badly.” he said. Some Outstanding Figures. The following details about the herd were culled from the official records of the Herd-Testing Association. The herd of 58 cows, including 11 heifers and 5 second-calvers, averaged 322.90 lbs. of buter-l’at in 280 days. One cow produced 501.741b5. in 287 days, and the following all over 4001bs.: — 495.031b5. in 309 days, 473.361b5. in 314 days, 465.061b5. in 303 days, 439.931b5. in 303 days, 438.141b5. 438.141b5. in 326 days, 437.091b5. In 270 days, 429.561b5. in. 288 days, 424.341b5. in 309 days, 408.281b5. in 315 days, and 40i.901b5. in 303 days. The analysis shows that one cow produced over SOOlbs., 10 cows between 400 and 5001b5., and 27 cows between 300 and 4001bs. One heifer, aged 23 months, at the

date of calving, produced 349.281b5. of fat in 270 days, a great performance.

Air. Wymcr said he was .striving to reach the JOOlhs. average, and ho hoped to reach this great record in the course of a year or so. Speaking generally about, iho progress of the locality in which he re*sided, Mr. Wymcr said that the district, for its age, was much behind the times. Until quite recently the roading conditions were appalling, Burt he said he was pleased to say he now had a beautiful access road. There were other roads that needed attention, and he was surprised that they had not been metalled years ago. “The district is a very old one, as you no doubt, know,” he said, “but, as J said before, it is behind the times. Some time ago I was discussing roading matters with an old identity, and he told me that what satisfied him 20 years

ago was good enough for him to-day. Well, that kind of spirit is no good , t,o me, as I believe in moving along }vith the: times.” ; Mr.:;Wymcr. also spoke of the boon tjiip; Wfciuku> branch ■ railway i had been ;ip f ;tbei.settleits. “Years ago,” he said, ,”"yvp j were compelled ■>' to '“ cart our many .miles' through veritable quagmires, but' .tb-dayf it is 'brought to our. doors. I remember the time when I used to take a dray and a.couple of horses to Pukekohe to cart my manure and such like, and I was met with a couple more on my return Journey, so . that I could safely negotiate bad portions df my access road. rTonday...one horse will convey all my farm necessaries from the railway station to my farm, and there are others similarly situated,” he concluded.