HERD TESTING ASSOCIATION.

Northland Age, Volume II, Issue 34, 27 August 1930, Page 2

HERD TESTING ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. A meeting of the Mangonui Group Herd Testing Association was held in the Princess Theatre, Kaitaia, on Saturday l6inst. The Chairman’s report for the season ending June 30th 1930 reads as follows : To Members, In presenting this, the third annual report of our association, I have to congratulate members upon the success attained during the year especially in respect of high production and the increased number of calves eligible for marking. During the season the Government Subsidy was received and was handed back to members at the rate of lid, per cow to those testing under the Group System and 6d. to those testing under the Individual System. This year it is likely that the Government Subsidy may be utilised for liquidating the Bank overdraft.

The Income and Expenditure Account tor the past year does not snow a Credit Balance for the season’s workings; one of the factors contributing to this is the heavy writing down of assets. This was considered advisable, so as to avoid anything of an inflated nature. Another factor is the support accorded. If each member would take a keener individual interest and endeavour to get his neighbour to join up, the result would be an increased number of cows tested with a corresponding lowering of charges.

With a view to encouraging this it has been the endeavour of your directors and staff, to give greater efficiency and service than formerly and this has been one of the causes of the overhead charges being greater than in former years. It is interesting to note that in the three companies interested in the Association there are approximately 880 suppliers and last year only 127 of these had their herds tested by the Association under the Group System and under the Individual System only 30. During the season we tested under the Group System 5,033 cows and under the Individual System 590. In the previous season the figures were 4767 and 1064.

Once again the butterfat average for the whole Association has advanced and in comparison with last year it shows: —

Last year 23 herds of 2501bs fat and over, and this year 41 herds ot 250 or more, whilst 8 herds did 3°o or more. During the season 160 calves were marked, showing an increase of over 100% on last year’s markings. With the object of popularizing herd testing, prizes were offered for the best essays dealing with the subject and a large number of entries were received. The prize winning essays were considered by the Judges, (who were officials of the Massey College), to be of a very high standard indeed. The results will be made known in a few days. Whilst on the subject, I wish to state that the thanks of the Association are due to the Whangaroa, Kaitaia, and Oruru-Fairburn Dairy Companies for prizes donated to the above competition.

With the view ot further explaining the objects and benefits of herd testing, a visit by Mr. C. (M. Hume was arranged. Mr. Hume delivered lectures in the different districts and his wide knowledge on the subject was much appreciated. In conclusion I wish to thank the Oruru-Fairburn, Whangaroa, and Kaitaia Co-op. Dairy Companies for the many evidences of their help during the season. F. w. Packard, Chairman.