HERD TESTING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 201, 9 August 1927, Page 6

HERD TESTING.

£BOOO GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. Wellington, August 8. The direction in which the Government subsidy of £BOOO towards the cost of herd testing in New Zealand will be expended n«s outlined bv rli< Minister of Agriculture (the Hon O. J. Hawken) to-day). In elaborating his previous announcement of the Cabinet's decision in the matter, the Minister made it clear that assistance given to® anv organisation would depend upon the service that organisation rendered to dairy farmers. “The department.’’ said the Minister, “has not only continued to support the testing of herd cows but also undertakes testings of purebred dairy cows for a certificate of record and more recently has given extended service to breeders for the testing of other purebred cows in their herds.” The testing of purebred dairy cattle had a definite influence on the better breeding of dairy cows for average <lairv herds. It was with the object of encouraging more herd testing, which will assist the dairy farmer in the more intelligent culling of unprofitable cows and stimulate an incentive towards improved breeding, that die Government decided to grant a subsidy up to £BOOO, so that the cost of this work to the dairyman would be decreased. The money will, it is believed. be recouped to the country through increased production.’’ BOARD SET UP. “Assistance given to anv organisation,” continued the Minister, "will depend on the services which that organisation renders to the dairy farmers who test, but will not exceed one shilling per cow for group testing or sixpence per cOw for association testing in which the dairy farmer takes his own weights and samples. In the group method these are taken bv an employee of the group hence the costs are greater. A small board, as already announced, is being set up to go into the claims of various associations for assistance. This board will advise the Government as to how grants should be allocated amongst those herd testing organisations which apply for a share in it. The board to be appointed will probably he constituted as follows :—One nominee of the Dairy Produce Board, one nominee of the National Dairy Board, one nominee of the South Island Dairy Association. one representative of the Department of Agriculture, and a chairman appointed bv the Government This should ensure a board representative of the Dominion. The fore-’ going constitutes the maior considerations connected with the matter. There are also a few minor aspects to be taken into account and steps are being taken to advise the organisations concerned of the proposals at an early date.”