GROUP HERD-TESTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 1 October 1928, Page 9

GROUP HERD-TESTING.

SUCCESS IN SOUTH TARANAKI. The first monthly meeting of the executive of th e newly formed South Taranaki Herd-testing Association was held in H'awera on Saturday. Present: Messrs iS.'iC. Tonks (chairman), F. W. Atkins, W. Eothery, D. S. Eieliardson, E. Snowdon, 'T. A. Winks, J. E. Corrigan and W. 11. Reynolds and the secretary, Mr E, M. Bardsley". The secretary submitted the following report:— The following are the groups of the association with the averages, best and worst herds • and individual cows for the first test taken in individual herds commencing on August 20 and completing the group on .(September 14. Association average.—3B42 “A” class cows and 85 £ ‘B” class cows, a total of 3927,- 8051'b milk, 4.0 test, 32.90 lb fat. Highest herd.—3o cows, 9761 b milk, 4.5 test, 44.881 b fat. Mr H. Taylor, Tokaora. ‘Lowest herd. —15 cows, 5531 b milk, 4.0 test, 22.131 b fat. Highest cow. —781 b fat in 30 days. Mr S. C. Tonks, Manatahi (Messrs Bebb and Jones). Lowest cow. —51b fat' in 30 days. Group Averages. No. 1 (Normanby and Glover Eoad). —7451 b milk, 4.1 test, 30.641 b fat. No. 2 (Inaha and Manutahi). —8551 b milk, 4.0 test, 34.781 b fat. No. 3 (Fraser Eoad, Tawhiti and More Mere). —8051 b milk, 4.1 test, 33.241 b fat. No. 4 (Whakamara, Mokoia and Whareron).—762lb milk, 4.1 test, 31.44 lb fat. Highest Herds. No. 1. —20 cows, 9281 b milk, 4,5 test, 42.201 b fat. ' No. 2.—30 cows, 9761 b milk, 4.5 test, 44.SSib fat. No. 3.-29 cows, 10991 b milk, 4.0 test, 44.7'71‘b fat. No. 4. —30 cows, 9541 b milk, 4.2 test, 40.831 b fat. Lowest Herds. No. 1. —35 cows, OlSlb milk, 3.9 test, 24.171 b fat. No. 2. —61 cows, 6'SOIb milk, 3.9 t.csr, 2G.'Ssl'b fat. No. 3.—34 cows, 5621 b milk, 4.1 tost, 23.411 b fat. • No. 4. —15 cows, 5531 b milk, 4.0 test 5 , 22.131 b fat.

Highest Cow. No. 1 641b'. fat. No. 2781 b fat No. 3 72Tb fat No. 4' ' ' -691 b fat Lowest Cow. No. 1 41b fat ■ No. 281 b fat * iNo.- 3 . 51b fat No. 4 51b fat The rule of the association is that every cow in the herd shall be tested. “A.” class cows are those calving normally, while ,‘fiß” class; cows are all those others, such as* slips', winter cows, empty cows, etc. 'These.are all tested and go through the records, but mo charge is for suen resting,, only “A.”' class cows being charged. Arising out of a resolution passed. at the last annual meeting of the Dominion 'Group Herd-Testing Association, instead of there, now being a common period ending date for the whole group, each herd has a different closing date, which is 15 days ahead of the date of the taking of the test, so that no matter wliat time of the calendar .month ‘the test is taken the 30-day period is always 'from a date 14 days back to 15 days ahead of the test--ing date, the test thus always being In the. middle of the peroid, this being a m'ueli more equitable method of calculation. Approximately 90 herds are under test with a total ,o f- between 500 b and 6000 cows when (all are in profit. This number is an increase over the same area of over 250 per- cent, of the- cows tested last season, and the increase; in various districts .where but one or two herds were under test last season lias been very pronounced, proving that the lierd-itesting service as rendered by the group system is being appreciated for its Value. '• . The secretary further reported that the association was now an incorporated body, and while membership with the Dominion Group Herd-Testing Association had not actually been granted, this would be done shortly. The Government had granted <a subsidy for the ensuing season. The tattoo outfits for ealf-marTvlug had been ordered, but owing to the great demand they had not yet come to hand; as soon as they did all calves offering would be. marked. - >