HERD TESTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 12 June 1928, Page 3

HERD TESTING.

SCHEME STRONGLY APPROVED

CENTRE FORMED AT KAKARAiMEA

Tliere was a good muster of farmers of the Kakaramea district yesterday at a meeting to consider the question of forming a herd-testing group for the district, and as a result of the discussion the scheme was approved and two deegates were appointed to represent the area on tiie centra] executive at Hawera.

Mr. A. Mnggeridge, of Alton, was voted to the chair, and Mr. J. R. Corrigan, a member of the executive, was also present. Mr. Eardsley, secretary to the big scheme, was present and gave an interesting address on the subject, showing how the herds that were joined up with the groups had improved their average of butter-fat. As Mr. Bardsley remarked, the idea is to let fanners know a;hat cows were “robbers”—that is, producing less than what was a payable amount, or “boarders” just paying their way—so as to b© able to cull the herds and make a place for better and more profitable animals. He said that practically no fanner could tell without tests what were the profitmaking cows, and therefore testing was essential in their own interests. He . added that the more cows that came into the scheme the better it would pay. There had been five thou 7 sand cows done last year, mostly south of Hawera, and the results had been very good. He sketched briefly the ’ method adopted, two men going round together and taking the samples in the sheds, and said that though in a. few cases there was a variation fit the results as compared with factory tests, in the largo bulk of cases the results tallied very closely He said that the members of the group paid nothing until November, and adjustments, where necessary were made in March. lie referred also to the value of the scheme of niarking pedigree calves, which was proving very valuable. He added that in the Waikato there bad been great developments, and now 62,000 cows were being tested. Mr. Corrigan endorsed the remarks made, and said that a meeting in Hawera had appointed an executive. He strongly stressed the value of the movement, and said he hoped Kakaramea and’ adjoining districts . would come into the scheme. Mr. Watkins and Mir. Parsons gave instances of their own personal knowledge of the value to be derived from testing and strongly supported the movement. Air. Muggeridge said there was no doubt the system was right and would be very valuable to the industry. On the motion of Mr. Saunders, seconded by Afr. Tong, it was decided to approve the formation of an association, and Afessrs J. S. Watt and P. W. Tong were appointed local delegates for the executive. A. vote of thanks to the chairman concluded a good meeting.