Maori Group Testing Genesis In Northland

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1939, Page 3

Maori Group Testing Genesis In Northland

In Northland, the Maori dairyman is challenging his pakeha brother in quick perception of the value of scientific aids to production. It is ,a little known fact that 300 herds owned by natives are under test north of Whangarei. Northland, in this respect, has given a lead to the rest of the Dominion, for it was here that the formation of special Maori groups for herd-testing began.

First In Hokianga,

Founder of the movement was Mr G. E. Durney, who, when supervisor of the Hokianga Group Herd-Testing Association, formed a small group in Whirfhaki. , That was-six years ago, and original members are still testing today. Last year there were six native groups in Hokianga and four in Mangonui.

With his appointment as manager of the Northland Herd Improvement Association a few months ago, Mr Durney seized the opportunity of extending the work he pioneered in the Hokianga. The Native Department, Auckland, has done everything possible to foster the mbvement, in which it is greatly interested. Fifteen Groups Active.

Today the movement is widespread, Bay of Islands having six groups, Mangonui four, Hokianga four and Whangarei one. Groups functioning are: Hokianga.—Omania, Whirinaki, Waimamaku, Pawarenga. Mangonui.—Para/para-WhatuwhiwJai, Pukepoto-Ahipara, Awanui-W aipapa-

kauri, Oturu-Pamapuria. Bay of Islands. —Waiomio, Kawhiti, Te Ahu Ahu-Ngawha, Taheke-Otaua, Haikohe, Utukura, Oromahoe-Otau. Whangarei.—Whangaruru. Next year it is hoped to have 68 members attached to ,a Whangaroa group with headquarters at Kaeo. Principle followed in creating new groups is for Mr Durney or one of his local officers to conduct a meeting in conjunction with field officers of the Native Department, explaining the purpose and procedure of herd-testing. If the Maoris in the locality wish to take advantage of the service, an intelligent native youth is trained by officers of the association in the rudiments of testing. Supplementary Data.

These sampling officers not only test, but also report upon the state of the water supply on the properties they visit, the number of milkers, the number of cows and dry stock, how pigs are kept, the state of pastures and) all other relevant details of value in improving the Maori standard of farming.

Reports are’ furnished periodically to the Native Department. The additional information obtained on the’ spot conforms with what the Herd Improvement Association, with its wider scope apart from testing, is now doing in relation to membership generally.

Close Collaboration.

The closest collaboration is kept with Native Departmental field officers, who, Mr Durney says, are assisting very materially the development of herd-testing among the Maoris.

It is the desire of the Native Department that all cows on properties under the land consolidation scheme should come under test immediately the farming conditions warrant. Fifteen native officers are now giving splendid service, Mr Durney says. Recently six were chosen from Northland for a special herd-testing course at Massey College.

Records are under the association “own sampling” method. The officers forward the samples to a central depot for testing. The returns are forwarded to Whangarei, checked .and recorded and sent back to the farmer.

Culling Tangi.

At the end of the season, Mr Durney makes a tour with the records under his arm. Further district meetings of natives are summoned, and, in the light of the information accumulated over the months, he is able to advise the farmers regarding their problems, and help in the selection of non productive animals. Recently, as the result of the operation of native group herdtesting in the Hokianga, there was a community cull drive of 380 head of stock, condemned to the freezing works by what the testing bottles had revealed.

One objective is prolongation of the lactation period, which, in the case of Maori herds, is even shorter than the p.akeha average of about 240 days. In the past far too many herds have been dried off after a few months, Mr Durney says. With the added interest of testing, farmers are encouraged to keep their cows in production longer. Improvement In Production.

Whirin.aki herds are in their fifth year of testing, while other native groups in Hokianga and Mangonui have been in operation uninterruptedly for three years.

Herds ranging in size from eight to 60 cows have been brought under the system. Generally speaking, the statistics reveal that production from native herds ,is lower than from those milked by pakeha. However, the' movement is functioning splendidly and a definite improvement in production from native herds is apparent.