IMPROVED HERDS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 210, 18 August 1934, Page 10

IMPROVED HERDS

Testing Is Only One Factor FIGHTING DISEASE Herd-testing is a means to an end—not the one and only way in which production can be improved in tho dairy herd. Tho writer was recently discussing herd-testing with an interested farmer who expressed himself as to the value of herd-testing, providing that the farmers also made efforts to improve their herds in other directions. Only this week tho Taranaki Herdtesting Association held a function to celebrate the achievement of that association in establishing a production average of over 300 lbs. of butterfat for each cow under test. For such a magnificent result. the herd-testing authorities in that district deserve praise, but it may bo confidently held that the farmers concerned have not only to thank herd-testing for this excellent. return. On its own, herd-test-ing will achieve results, blit to gain the full benefit the fanner must also consider tho questions of feeding and stock health. “Any diseases such as sterility, abortion and mammitis will ruin a firstclass dairy herd in one season,” said a Southern dairy-farmer recently. These words sum up ‘the position fairly tiecur- : ately. disease is al all prevalent in a herd, then production must suffer and the benefits derived from testing are thereby reduced in proportion. Similarly, where feed is scarce and cows are underfed or are receiving what is practically only a maintenance ration, then yields will also suffer. Under such conditions it would be hardly fair to judge the success of herd-testing. Herd improvement is a big task. It involves the culling of the lower pro dueing cows, selected by testing; tho cheeking and prevention of disease; tho removal from the herd of any diseased animals and their destruction, so that no other farmer will have trouble foist ed upon him; and finally proper ami systematic feeding and management. Where advantage is taken of all these aids, 'then, and then alone will the full . benefits be realised.