TESTING COWS FOR HIGHER PRODUCTION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6944, 25 June 1929, Page 10

TESTING COWS FOR HIGHER PRODUCTION

Manawalu Association’s Report

The annual report of ‘.he Mnnnwatu Co-op. Herd Testing Association records a successful year in this important work in tlie dairying industry, which is being recognised by a constantlv increasing number of those engaged" in it. The association is now operating from Tnihape to Wellington, and has tested 17,821 cows in fourteen groups. Included in these groups are sonu? of the highest producing herds in the Dominion.

The calf-marking scheme of the Herd Testing Federation lias been ia operation for the past, season: 520 calves have been marked, registered, and certificates issued, this being evidence of further increased production in the near future. The expansion of work demands some alterations to the constitution. These, alter most careful consideration by (he executive, will be placed before the annual meeting. During the year twelve ordinary and several special meetings were held without one penny of cost to file association. These meetings have furthered the herd testing movement very considerably, but a great deal remains lo be acoeinplished. In the district, tit the present time, the association is testing onlv about 25 per cents-of. the cows. In ‘.March a special meeting of dairy companies was called, and a good representation attended. - The meeting unanimously decided to assist tlie work, bv acknowledging factory orders for payment of testing fees, without any charge for so doing. The dircctor-Gencrai of Agriculture convened a conference of herd testing associations in May, with the object of establishing a governing body, and four representatives attended. Mr. W. A. Irons, representing . (he Control board, was elected.chuirntan. The Di-rector-General of Agriculture congratulated the herd testing association on the important work they were doing, and desired tlie department to co-oper-ate and give the associations every assistance. The Govcrnnicjit had asked for increased production, and Hie response to this request -was forthcoming through the herd testing associations, which had already shown that a substantial increase had been obtained. The government subsidy for the past two years had been of great assistance to the testing members. The government desired representation on the governing body. At the close of the meeting (lie chairman stated that he considered the meeting to be one of the most important ever held in the Dominion.

Two successful field days were held during the year and the association is indebted to Messrs. -Qoulan Bros., of Oroua Downs, and Messrs. Atkins Bros., of Munakau, for tbeir courtesy in placing their farms . at the association’s disposal. The balance-sheet shows that the association is ia a sound position, but it is absolutely essential that different arrangements be made to release the present guarantors.of the joint and several at the bank,

\t is a great pleasure to express upprcciation of the loyal services rendered by the herd testing officers. They have all duly qualified at the Massey College, and possess the necessary cer : tificatc of competency. The report also records appreciation of the work of the organising secretary (Mr. J. Ferguson). All meetings had been well attended, and the most earnest . consideration given by all members, to all matters dealt with. In order to carry out the “greatest good for the greatest number,” helpful suggestions and hearty co-operation is of the -utmost importance and is earnestly solicited by the members of the executive. The total cows tested for the season was 17,82-1. while 619 were tested 100 days and under, and arc not included in the analysis. The 17,175 cows tested 101 days and over gave an average of 261.39 "lbs. butter-fat in 2-1-1 days, as against 2-15.30 lbs. butter-fat in 244 davs last year.

Group No. L—Average, 270.82 lbs. butter-fat in 255 days; highest herd, 35 cows; 338.52 lbs. butter-fat in 28G days (J. R. MacAulay); G 8 cows, 332.22 lbs. butter-fat in 2Si days (M. Burnicistcr): lowest herd, 30 cow’s, 102.30 lbs. butterfat in 232 days; highest cow, 53S lbs. butler-fat in 321 days; lowest cow, 84 lbs. butter-fat in 219 days.

Group No. 2.—Average, 297.90 lbs. in 264 days; highest herd, 20 cows, 413.73 lbs. in 254 days (F. C. Raikes); SI cows, 389.50 lbs. in 288 days (Conlaii Bios.); lowest herd, 54 cows, 203.66 lbs. in 230 days; highest cow (Conlan Bros.), G4S ibs. in 330 days; lowest cow, S 3 lbs. in 170 days. Group No. 3. —Average, 203.91 Jbs. in 252 (lays; highest herd, 18 cows, 376.50 lbs. in 277 days (AV. A. Davidson); -10 cows, 376.66 lbs. in 287 days (Barnaby Bros.); lowest herd, 49 cows, 191.08 lbs. in 238 days; highest cow', 535 lbs. in 276 days (AV. A. Davidson); lowest cow, 44 lbs. in 120 days. Group No. 4.—Average, 204,02 lbs. in 245 days; highest herd, 17 cows, 410.95 lbs. in 278 days (H. F. Hughes); 16 cows, 398.75 lbs. in 259 days (D. H. Campbell); lowest herd, 68 cows, 227.07 lbs. in 258 days; highest cow, 542 lbs. in. 306 days (1L L. Taylor), lowest cow-, 02 lbs. in 220 days. Group No. s.—Average, 283.10 ia 262 days; Inchest herd, 21 cows, 375.02 Ibs. in" 282 days (E. K. RansomW 15 cows, 303.00 llis. in 281 days f.\. C. Harvey); lowest herd, 28 cow<, 199.05 lbs. in 219 (lavs; highest cow, 635 lbs. in 291 days '(H. J. Burrell); lowest cow, 35 lbs. in 105 days. Group No. 6.—Average, 294.56 Ib-s, ia 261 days; highest herd, 31 cows. 330.87 lbs. in' 261 days (A. Montgomerie); 17 cows. 370.05 lbs. in 286 days (L. Thompson); lowest herd. 53 cows, 223.45 lbs. in 271 days; highest cow, 640 ibs. in 323 days (A. H. Houghton): lowest cow, 44 lbs. in 101 days. Group No. 7.—Average, 295.61 lbs. in 271 davs; highest herd, 14 cows, 380.50 lbs. in 263 davs (E. J. Field); 10 cows, 377.10 lbs. in‘2B9 days (R. AV. Evans); lowest herd, 20 cows. 2J5.45 lbs. in 286 days; highest cow, 551 lbs. in 236 (lays (AV. .T. Bummers); lowest cow, 03 lbs. ia 109 days. Group No. 8, 213.15 ibs. in 231 days; highest herd. 13 cows. 311..4', ’lbs. in 253 days' (I. Cummerfield); 28 cows, 309-35 27-i days (H. A.

Wildborc); lowest herd, 44 cows, 117.34 lbs. in 181 days; highest cow, 430 lbs. in 279 days (W. T. Pratt); lowest cow, 29 lbs. in 151 days.

Group No. 9.—Average, 237.-13 lbs. in 241 days; highest herd, 14 cows, 298.85 lbs. in 247 days (J. Tabor); 83 cows, 293.73 lbs. in £7O days (Quinlan Bros.); lowest herd, 30 cows, 154.30 lbs. in 227 days; highest cow, 483 lbs. in 271 days (Quinlan Bros.); lowest cow, 34 lbs. in 112 days.

Group No. 10. —Average, 231.57 lbs. in 238 days; highest herd, 12 cows, 374.08 lbs. in 295 days (J. Griffin - ); 49 cows, 331.0 G lbs. in 2GG days (MeAlley Bros.); lowest herd, 32 cows, 194.30 lbs. in 225 days; highest cow, 52G lbs. in 345 days (E. Gudopp); lowest cow, 31 lbs. in 150 days. Group No. 11.—Average, 281.37 lbs. in. 244 days; highest herd, 20 cows, "371.25 lbs." in 283 davs (A. Hudson); 25 cows. 302.58 lbs. in 280 days (H. J. Lancaster); lowest herd, 46 cows, 188.55 lbs. in 241 days; highest cow, 571 lbs. in 319 days (T. G. Vincent); lowest cow, GO lbs. in 104 days. Group No. 12.—Average, 217.12 lbs. in 23G days; highest herd, 39 cows, 331.81 lbs. in 279 days (R. E. Nicholson); 13 cows, 323.12 lb.-., in 274 days (J{. Hagan); lowest herd, 1-11.15 lbs. in 201 days; highest cow, 530 lbs. in 310 days (R. K. Nicholson); lowest cow, 37 lbs. in 120 days. Group No. 13.—Average. "Si lt lbs. in 250 days; highest herd, 27 cows 2.80.22 lbs. in 311 days (R. C. Powell); 16 cows, 377.93 lbs. in 289 days (A. Griffith); lowest herd, 74 cows, 183.81 lhs. in 19S days; highest cow, '573 lbs. in 315 days (J. H. Bennett); lowest cow, 53 lhs. in 130 days. Group No. 14. —Average, 235.0 S lbs. in 240 days; highest herd, 12 cows, 353.0 G lbs. in 298 days (S. MeAlley); 40 cows, 309.75 ll>s. in 255 days (W. Hart); lowest herd, 61 cows, 175.8 S lbs. in 222 davs; highest, cow, 4SS lbs. in 283 days (A. Bartlett); lowest cow, 47 lbs. in'lo7 days. J. FERGUSON, Organising Secretary.