Increasing Efficiency Of Manawatu Herds

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 174, 26 July 1935, Page 5

Increasing Efficiency Of Manawatu Herds

TESTING ASSOCIATION HOLDS TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING

Another successful year lias been recorded by the Manawatu Co-operative Herd Testing Association, the twelfth annual general meeting being hel'd at Palmerston North yesterday morning. The president, Mr V. 31. Gimblett, occupied the chair and there was an attendance of approximately twenty. Review by President

la his review of the past year’s activities tlio president said that the year had been a successful one, particularly when the many difficulties which, had confronted dairy farmers were taken into consideration. “The talk of quotas which preceded the past season le-d your directors to anticipate a' slight reduction in the number of cows under test,” he said. “I have, however, the pleasure of informing you of an increase of ICB2 cows and 38 herds over last season’s figures, which is very encouraging, especially so when tho majority of other associations showed a reduction in membership. The very dry season was not conducive to high yields, and wo look forward to a better season of production. Your executive has decided the charge for' testing this season shall remain the same as last year, and wc trust that this very low charge will encourage many more farmers to test. If the dairying industry is to be built on sound and profitable lines, and if the present low prices for dairy produce are to continue, the efficiency of our herds must he increased. This can only be done by tho adoption of universal testing, which creates an intelligent interest in the herd by tho far mer, his family, his employees, and points the way to efficient farm management. ‘Tn regard to calf marking, private sales of this class of stock during the past season have usually met with very satisfactory prices, up to £3 having been paid for weaner calves. To encourage further support in this branch of our work, a reduction of 20 per cent, in our charges was made. An increased number of calves was marked, the total of 1157 calves, being an increase of 60 per cent, over figures of the 1929-30 season, although the number of cows under test has only increased by 25 per cent, during the same period. There is, however, much scope for expansion, and whether the calves arc being kept for herd replacements or for sale, the marking of calves warrants every member’s serious consideration. Several sales of tested cows have been held recently, providing opportunity for members tt *buv replacements of known productive ability. The individual identification which accompanies the issue of a production card ensures the correct cows being purchased, and tlieir calves can be marked if the sire was eligible. Buyers should therefore be willing to pay a premium wh'eu production cards are available. The association has again been favoured with the valued assistance of the dairy company representatives on the executive. The subsidy <Tven by most of the larger dair} companies has been much appreciated by testing suppliers, and,, in fact, is the limiting factor in deciding for or against some suppliers testing. . e therefore trust this help roll again 0 nvailablo to suppliers. Complete milk figures have been kept during the past year, and monthly returns, inclusive of milk figures, have been published in the Exporter. These and other statistics which have become necessary have increased the test sheet work by at least 50 per cent. I am jilcased to state that the secretary and his staff have capably coped with the extra work entailed. The reduction off 20 per cent, in our charges has naturally increased the secretary’s problems of keeping expenditure within the association’s income. Last spring the secretary extended our area of operations into the Hangiwahia district. We ■extend a hearty welcome to these and all other new members. That our membership has not suffered through the depression is in no small part due to the satisfactory services of our test ing officers. Mr Hume, the Dominion supervisor of herd testing, addressed a number of meetings throughout our district last winter. These were much appreciated, by those farmers who at- \ tended, and arc very helpful in maintaining members’ enthusiasm for dairying. l'n conclusion, 1 wish to express iny appreciation of the able assistance

of the members of the executive.’ ’ The annual report and the balancesheet, revealing a small credit, were adopted. Mr Gimblett said that he could not understand why the membership did not increase by a greater number. Excellent service was being given and those, taking part in the work realised that testing, at a small cost, was of undoubted benefit. The chairman pointed out to the meeting that a small amount was received from the Government by way of subsidy, but as the cost of distribution to members was costly, it was desired that the association retain it.

Should the amount be increased to any largo extent, however, the executive could reduce costs to meet tho differ ence. Tho meeting agreed to the pre posal. Personnel of Executive The executive was elected as follow: —Messrs W. H. Gimblett, A. M Burmeistcr, A. N. Morcom, B. U. Me Kendo (as members ’' representatives), and Messrs E. Gudopp, M. Richardson, W. E. Kilsby and N. C. Jensen {as dairy companies’ representatives).