HERD TESTING SEASON

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 12 July 1935, Page 12

HERD TESTING SEASON

SOUTH TARANAKI HGURES LOSS OP £135 OVER YEAR HEAVY DEPRECIATION Although the working account showed a loss of £135 this could not be taken as a loss over the season, as some heavy waiting off of debts and depreciation had been considered advisable, stated the annual report presented to members of the South Taranaki Herd Testing Association at the annual meeting at Hawera yesterday. Mr W. H. Reynolds presided and there was a good attendance of members. From a testing point of view the season had proved very unusual, said Mr Reynolds in his report. The very dry summer caused production to fall considerably and if the autumn had not been an excellent one and allowed a long milking season it was likely that production generally w T ould have been lower than for many years past. Even so, production as a whole was down on records of the past few seasons. These remarks applied particularly to the plain and coastal areas; Ararata, Oliangai and similar inland districts experienced no dry spell and a season of high production had resulted in those districts.

The late autumn milking had had a severe effect on our finances, for whereas normally only about 10 per cent, of herds had a tenth test, this season the number had increased to 85 per cent, calling for greater expenditure: in wages, travelling allowances and materials. After the record of last season the executive felt justified in budgeting on at least 8000 cows under test and as the actual number was under 0500 such had also had its effect on income. Another factor was that the average size of the herds tested had increased, thus reducing the income per cow. Very little extra expenditure would have been necessary to have tested a further 2000 cows and to thus receive an additional income of £350. Unfortunately expenses could not decrease in proportion to cows tested.

Actually the loss on the past season was in the vicinity of £3O and only the strictest of economy in all, departments had made this possible. Considering all circumstances the working account this season was a tribute to the ability of the staff in their efforts to give a testing service second to none, at a cost which could be increased slightly and still compare more than favourably with the average Dominion charge. CALF MARKING. Lack of feed at calf-selling time had a depressing effect on sales, so much so that it was found advisable to drop the- annual calf fair. This was unfortunate for many members, but notwithstanding the conditions many private sales took place at prices which proved that even in a bad feed season the marked calf was still a paying proposition. At the time of writing there was a great demand for marked quality stock and it was unfortunate for vendors that very few animals Avere available. •

No herd testing association can guarantee its records as absolutely accurate. There are too many circumstances outside the control of the association, which cause a production variation, to have testing records always on a par with factory returns. That they were on a par in the great majority of cases was, however, a proved fact and at all times the association records were a sound indication for breeding and culling purposes, for even where variation between association and factory had occurred, the records of individual cows in a herd were in accurate comparison with the other cows in such herd. The onus of accurate records is on the member. The whole of the testing operation could be regularly checked by the member and, in all cases, the testing officer’s figures were correct —based on the samples with which lie is supplied. Notwithstanding the fact that the average fat production was down 201 b. on the last season Dominion record it was felt, in view of tlie season, that the association could be justly proud of its 1934-35 average of 2901 b. fat. Congratulations were extended to members whose herds had averaged over 3501 b. fat —a performance speaking of good cows and good farming practice, and rightly meriting commendation. A feature of the returns was the fact that 70 per cent, of the herds lay between 250 and 3251 b. fat production and between 5500 and 7000 lb. milk production; there were few particularly high or low averages. Reference to the splendid service ol Mr S. C. Tonks as chairman of the association since its foundation had already been recorded, but the opportunity was again taken of expressing appreciation and regret that he could not see his way clear to continue in office.

The working account showed an excess of expenditure over income of £134 14s .Id. Expenditure amounted to £I2OO 12s Sd, the expense in pence per cow being 48.4. The chief items of expenditure with the expenses per cow in brackets, were as follow: Car maintenance, £l3O 12s 7d (5.0); wages and salary, £BBS 17s (33.8); general expenses, £l2B 11s 4d (4.0); bad debts and depreciation, £4l 6s Id. The principal item on the expenditure side was testing fees on 0288 cows, £IOOB 4s 7d (41.0). The report of the auditor, Mr A. K. Fyson, stated that it was apparent that the association could not keep dipping into its reserves. There were, two courses, either an increase in the number of cows tested or increased testing fees. In a brief discussion the secretary, Mr E. M. Bardsley, said that the exe-

eutive did not wish to increase fees, but if the number of cows was - not increased, this would be the only alternative. The secretary also pointed out that tlie association had decided to undertake pig recording. Several animals were being recorded and he hoped the scope of these activities would be enlarged. Mr Fvson was reappointed auditor at the same remuneration as previously. A T otes of thanks were accorded the secretary and staff.