Testing Figures Reveal Tapering Production

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1948, Page 2

Testing Figures Reveal Tapering Production

NORTHLAND herd-testing figures for February show that the dry weather experienced in the first two months of 1948 brought with it a fairly substantial tapering off in butterfat production.

December and January returns created production records in regard to the average amount of butterfat produced.

Whangarei was only 2.87 in„ compared with an average of 3.94 in. A noteworthy fact was that the February test of 5.4 was one point higher than February test figures in previous years.

February figures in this respect were above average, but they revealed the effect of dry conditions experienced during the month when rainfall at

The monthly summary of 30-day averages, supplied by the Northland Herd Improvement Association showed that in the 25 northern groups 532 herds, comprising 26.197 cows, were tested, recording a milk average of 334 lb, at a 5.4 test, giving a butterfat average of 29.2 lb. The record butterfat average for the association during February is 31 lb., established in 1940. The average butterfat yield for the same month during the past eight seasons is 26.2 lb. Last month’s figure was eclipsed in the 1939-40, 1940-41, and 1944-45 seasons.

The number of cows under test for February, 1948 (26,197) exceeded in the 1940-41 and 1941-42 seasons, when the figures were 28,485 and 27,147 respectively.

WAIPU BEST GROUP

Bearing out the trends shown in the last two monthly returns, highest figures for February were recorded for groups in areas possessing rich and heavy alluvial flats. This soil, retaining moisture to a greater extent than the lighter types, was not so greatly affected by the dry spell. In addition, paspalum-predom-inant pastures, where a good flush of growth has been experienced, continued to maintain butterfat production at a good level. The highest butterfat average of the 25 northern groups was recorded at Waipu with 34.8 lb as an average from 1617 cows producing a milk average of 571 at a 6.1 test.

This record was considerably better than the second best figure of 32.3, returned from Kaikohe were 585 cows averaged 609 lb milk at a 5.3 test. Third best figure was recorded for Kaitaia-Awanui with 31.8 lb butterfat, with Tutekehua-Horeke (31.7) and Ruakaka (31.5) well up in the list. Hikurangi maintained its position as the largest group under test, with 1839 cows returning a butterfat average of 29.8 lb. INDIVIDUAL HERDS Details of returns from individual herds showed that a Waipu herd of 21 cows topped the list with an average production of 41 lb butterfat during the 30-day period. , From Kaiwaka another herd of 41 cows averaged 46 lb butterfat, while the third best figure was recorded by a herd in the Kaitaia-Awanui group, where a 44 lb butterfat average was returned.

Nine groups contained herds with individual returns of 40 lb butterfat or more. Complete details of the group 30-day averages are as follows:

No. of Group herds Cows Milk lbs Test Fat lbs Arapohue 23 1135 536 5.3 28.2 Dargaville 15 788 504 5.1 25.7 Hikurangi 37 1839 553 5.4 29.8 Kaeo-Oruru 17 789 535 5.4 29.2 Kaihu 24 1175 525 4.9 25.8 Kaikohe .... 14 585 609 5.3 32.3 KaingaroaHouhora 19 870 552 5.2 28.7 KaitaiaAwanui 23 1172 586 5.4 31.8 Kaiwaka .... 24 1183 504 5.7 28.6 Kawakawa 21 1061 595 5.2 31.0 M’karamea 16 911 488 5.4 26.3 M’tapere 39 1566 525 5.2 27.2 M'turoto .... 27 1319 506 5.6 28.6 MotuBroadwood . 2a 1005 479 5.9 28.3 OhaeawaiWaimate 19 887 549 5.5 30.3 Okaihau .... la 64 566 5.1 28.8 OueWaimamaku 15 871 484 5.9 28.4 Ruakaka .... 14 735 621 5.1 31.5 Ruavvai 17 1084 556 5.3 29.3 TakahueHerekino 16 839 525 5.5 28.7 Tangiteroria .. 24 1694 519 5.1 26.3 Te Kopuru .. 15 746 480 5.2 24.8 TutekehuaHoreke 13 603 544 5.8 31.7 Waipu 20 1074 571 6.1 34.8 Whangarei 40 1617 536 5.2 27.7 Assn Average 532 26,197 534 5.4 29.2