TESTING OF HERDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 5

TESTING OF HERDS.

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION, REVIEW OF WORK. The eighth annual report to bo presented by the chairman (Mr W. H. Gimblett) at the forthcoming meeting of the Manawatu 00-openativo Herd Testing Association. is as follows :—“Considering the unusual conditions prevailing, the 18,515 cows tested, against 20,009 for the 1929-30 season, must be considered satisfactory. In order to reduce expenditure, many farmers decided not to test their cows. This is false economy. Herd testing is of great assistance a 3 a means of increasing production, which is of great importance when prices for our produce have reduced our farmers’ finances to a critical condition. To substantiate my remarks, our returns show that members who have used and acted on the returns given on their test sheets have herds of 70 cows, and are averaging 3701ba of butterfat. The difference between their herd testing figures and dairy factory returns is less than lOlbs of butterfat. In my last report I drew attention to the advisability of dairy companies being represented on the association’s executive, and that a special meeting would be held, with this object in view. I am pleased to report that this has been accomplished, and that four such representatives were elected to the executive. Arrangements were also made with a number of dairy companies for a guarantee _at the bank, in the form of a promissory note, representing Is 6d per cow for all cows tested by their respective suppliers. _ This system has proved of great financial assistance to the association, and to those companies for their assistance I desire on behalf of my executive to express my appreciation. I trust we may receive the same assistance from all dairy companies for the coming season. Many dairy companies have subsidised their suppliers in the past, and have indicated their intention of continuing. This not only stimulates greater interest in the herd testing movement, but also increase's the supply of butterfat to the dairy companies concerned, and thus reduces the overhead charges in cost of manufacture. If we are to receive lower prices for our produce, it would be an encouragement to farmers if all dairy companies substantially subsidised their suppliers, and, by increasing their supply, tend to localise tho area of collecting cream, which would again reduce manufacture costs. Although we have concluded a most difficult season, the balance-sheet shows the association to bo in a satisfactory financial position. During the year Mr Hume, as Dominion supervisor, has continued his good work to strengthen the herd testing movement generally. The testing officers have given good service with considerably more work added to their duties. The organising secretary (Mr T. Page) has discharged his duties faithfully and well, and to the entire satisfaction of tho executive. It is again my pleasant duty to offer my hearty thanks to the members- of the executive for their continued courtesy and valuable assistance given at all times.” YEARLY BUTTERFAT SUMMARY. Tho following analysis includes the production of 15,0il cows averaging 261.11 lbs of butterfat in 256 days. Records of 404 cows tested for periods less than 100 days wero not used in computing yearly averages. Taihapo and Rata Group figures are not yet available. GROUP AVERAGES. Butter-

LONDON WOOL SALES. Dalgety and' Coy., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house dated June 30th: —London wool sales open July, for which tho list of arrivals closed on 29th June.. The following are 'the quantities available:' Australian, 51,000 bales; New Zealand, 90,000 bales; Cape, 2,500 bales; South America, 17,500 bales; carry forward, 72,000 bales; total quantity available, 234,800 bales. Brokers expect to offer 147,500 bales, including bl,100 bales Australian, 64,600 New Zealand. Outlook for the sale has improved during last few days. Our selling dates are Bth, 15th and 23rd July. Sales’close 24th July. The following vessels in which we are interested arrived in time for the sales:—Mamilius, Tainui, Port Hobart, Fordsdalo, Matakana, Mahia, Benreoch, Tairoa, Somerset, Port Nicholson, Tasmania, Tamaroa, Mahana.

DAIRY PRODUCE. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house under date of the let inst.: Butter, New Zealand choicest salted, 112 s; cheese, white, 55s to 565; coloured, 57s to 58s. Market is steady. WELLINGTON PRODUCE MARKET. (By' Telegraph.—Special to “Standard.”) WELLINGTON, July 4. Business is keeping up fairly well in the produce market. There is a weakening tendency in wheat, which is quoted at 6s 4d to 6s 6d. Fairly heavy regular importations of Australian Hour must bo lessening the demand for New Zealand wheat. Potatoes are in good supply at 4s 6d to 5s per cwt. Onions, both Australian and Southerns, are 9s per bag. Chaff: Blenheim, ,£6 5s per ton, sacks in. Bran, £6 5s per ton. Pollard, £6 10s per ton. Oats: A grade Gartons, 3s 6d per bushel; B grade, 3s 2d; heavy old Dunnes 5s 6d to 6s. Barley: Australian, 3s to 3s 6d per bushel. Maize: New Zealand, 5s lOd; South African, cracked, 5s 3d to 5s 6d per bushel. FREEZING MERGER. Per Press Association.. GISBORNE, July 3. In view o.f the various proposals throughout tho Dominion for an amalgamation of freezing works to ensure more economical working, it will interest producers generally to learn that tho results in connection with tho first season of the amalgamation between the Gisborne sheepfarmers and Nelson’s, Ltd., show a highly successful export kill through the combined works. Despite the very dry season, Poverty Bay did not suffer a diminution; in fact, the lamb killings show & slight increase over the previous year. Taken as a whole, the ICaiti works handled this season more than double tho output of the two individual works during the previous season. It is hoped that contemplated improvements at tho Kaiti works before next season will achieve still further economies in working, for they will increase both the capacity and facilities with which the stock can be handled.' A feature of the amalgamation from the view of the directors has been that although by-products of all kinds dropped sharply in value during the year, the centralisation bf killing undoubtedly brought about a very much better financial result than could have been obtained if tho two works had been operating separately as previously. LONDON SHEEPSKIN SALES. LONDON, July 2. Offerings at the sheepskin sales to-day were 4461, including 878 New Zealand. The skins were in poor condition, and prices were about 15 per cent, below May rates. About one-half the offering was sold. , PRODUCE PRICES. LONDON, July 2. Wheat cargoes are inactive, and parcels are 3d to 6d less. Futures: London, September, 19s 8d per quarter; December, 20s 3d; Liverpool, July, 4s Id-per cental; October, 4e 4d, 3s 8d; December, 4s 6d 5s 8d ■ Spot trade 'is slow. Australian, ex ship, 23s 9d to 255. Flour is quiet. Australian, ex store, 18s. Oats are firm; peas and beans are dull.

Name. Cows. fat. Days Palmerston N.-Himatangi 1318 244.12 256 Glen Oroua-Bulls and Parewanui 1303 272.44 263 Foxton-Shannon 1014 264.81 254 Whakarongo-Linton 1256 268.19 261 Kopano-ICairanga and Kauwhata 1382 297.73 264 Levin-Ohau 44V 272.12 272 Apiti-Kiwitea 1191 230.93 260 Feilding-Marton 1177 266.80 252 Marton-Turakina 1128 272.81 257 Levin-Shannon . 558 265.18 251 Paraparaumu-Otaki 738 235.08 251 Bunnythorpc-Colyton ... 1114 286.53 269 Makirikiri-lVlangamahu ... 1271 235.94 239 Westmcre-Wangaehu 1134 237.70 242