Bay Group Herd-Testing Association

Northern Advocate, 17 July 1939, Page 9

Bay Group HerdTesting Association

The twelfth annual report and balance sheet of the Bay of Islands Group Herd Testing Association, to be presented at the annual general meeting in Ohaeawai on July 31 by the chairman, Mr A. C. Kingston, discloses a loss of £B4 on the year’s working. This, continues the report, is due to the decreased support given the association. The number of cows tested and charged for was 1583, a decrease over last season of 1169, or a whole testing group. Only 35 herds were tested, with the above financial result. This is accounted for by quite a few farmers who test regularly, making up their minds to give testing a spell this season, and also owing to the adverse spring; others who had intended to test, put it- off. “After a meeting with the Whangarei Association, it was decided to link up with them, owing to our territory being limited, and the falling-off in membership. It has been arranged that the Whangarei Association would do the office work on a pro rata rate per cow, over both associations, and that field officers and. working expenses should be a charge out of our own funds, and the association to carry on under its own name until the end of the season, which made a considerable saving in costs.” The association average shows a falling-off of 28 lbs. fat per cow, and 15 days shorter in milk. From 1937-38, 241 lbs. fat in 246 days, to 1938-39, 213 lbs. fat in 231 days, is a decrease of a little over 11 per cent., which is not so bad considering the weather conditions during the past season. The highest herd is that of Mrs S. Gane, of Moerewa, with an average of 323 lbs. fat in 265 days. The highest cow was owned by Mr B. Rockell, .of Moerewa, which produced 555 lbs. fat in 365 days, The averages for season 1938-39 are as follows: — Kawakawa Group.—ls herds, 657 cows, 214 lbs. fat in 238 days. Highest herd (50 cows or over); 64 cows, 292 lbs. fat in 258 days. Highest herd Sunder 50 cows): 30 cows, 248 lbs. fat ; in 232 days. Lowest herd; 57 cows, 172 lbs. fat in 214 days. Highest cow: i 417 lbs. fat in 304 days. Kaikohe Group.—7 herds, 229 cows, 214 lbs. fat in 236 days. Highest herd (50 cows or over): 53 cows, 231 lbs. fat in 261 days. Highest herd (under 50 cows); 16 cows, 285 lbs. fat in 261 days. Lowest herd: 46 cows, 120 lbs. 1 fat in 155 days. Highest cow: 461 lbs 1 fat in 314 days. 1

Ohaeawai Group. cows, 251 lbs. fat in 245 clays. Highest herd (50 cows or over): 60 cows, 323 lbs. fat in 265 days. Highest herd (under 30 cows): 38 cows, 253 lbs. fat in 274 days. Lowest herd: 63 cows, 197 lbs. fat in 219 days. Highest cow; 555 lbs. fat in 365 days.

Okaihau Group—6 herds, 326 cows 160 lbs. fat in 197 days. Highest herd (50 cows or over): 69 cows, 172 lbs fat in 196 days. Highest herd (under 50 cows): 41 cows, 222 lbs. fat in 223 days. Lowest herd (28 cows): 120 lbs. fat in 165 days. Highest cow: 385 lbs. fat in 234 days.

Association Average.—3s herds, 1639 cows, 213 lbs. fat in 231 days. Highest herd (50 cows or over): 60 cows, 323 lbs. fat in 265 days. Highest herd (under 50 cows): 16 cows, 285 lbs. fat in 261 days. Lowest herd; 28 cows, 120 lbs. fat in 165 days. Highest cow: 555 lbs. fat in 365 days. Association Own Sample System: 4 herds. 184 cows. Average: 208 lbs, fat in 222 days.