FARM NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, 21 May 1917, Page 8

FARM NOTES

The annual report, of the New Zealand Jersev Cattle Breeder's Association •states: "Your council have the pleasure and satisfaction of reporting a greater record of prosperity than in'any previous vear in the'annals of the association, the "protraction of (he. war lias brought about quite abnormal and unsettled conditions in the dairy industry, and while no orv lias iinv doubt that the great struggle will end in victory .. for ■ the Allied arms, there has naturally been, much anxiety about the immediate future of the great producing industries of the Dominion. During the year 66 members were, elected, as against 39; in the previous year, and only eight.names were removed from the register on account of the resignations of the members, as against 18 in the previous 12 now 388, a net increase of 58 for the vear. the net profit" for the year immunted to £378 5s 7d.' Once, mora there has ben a striking demand r for hulls and the number that have, changed hands show a considerable increase. One hundred cows have been awarded certificates of record by the NZ Department of Agriculture as a. result of semi-official tests during the year.; fTp to the present time 358 Jersey rows of different ages have been awarded certificates. These show that the average production of these cows is 403,951b. of butter-fat. which must he regarded as very satisfactory indeed, when it is remembered that a. very large proportion of the animals tested were heifers with their first _ calves, the minimum production of fat in such cases being 240.51b. fat in 365 days. During the last year over one-half of the cows tested came under this class, and one of them. Mere, a heifer, bred and tested in the Dominion, had the proud distinction of making a world's record for cows of any breed commencing test under two years of age. In 365 clays Merc produced the wonderful record of 663.641b. butter-fat. Forty eight cows earned the subsidy of £1 1b each granted by your ._ council for the production of 1001b or over of butterfat above the amount vcouired to qualify for a certificate of record. Acting under the recommendation of the lass annual meeting, your council have offered a premium of £25 to the first Jersey cow of any age that produces 8501b or over of butter-fat under semiofficial test, and they hope that this will still further Stimulate improvement in the desired direction- Your council feels that it ought to acknowledge here the continued-' efficiency. courtesy, and interest.of the officers of the Dairy Division of the X. Z- De partment of Agriculture in the conduct of the. semi-official testing. "Every assistance possible has been given to tfee office by the Departmental Staff, vrlwe work cannot be too warmly eulogised.**