IMPROVING THE HERDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 15

IMPROVING THE HERDS.

MORE COWS UNDER TEST. STIMULUS TO MOVEMENT. HIGHER GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Monday. Herd-testing throughout the North Island is rapidly expanding, said Mr. C. M. Hume, manager of the New Zealand Co-operative Herd-Testing Association, Hamilton, and secretary of the Federation of Herd-Testing Associations of New Zealand, to-day. Mr. Hume estimated that there were 1250,000 cows under test, in New Zealand this season. New associations had been formed at Hokianga, Whangarei, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Heretaunga and Patea. All the older organisations reported having increased the number of cows being tested. Tho number of cows under test in the South Auckland district by the Now Zealand Association was 85,000 this season, compared with 612,268 for last season and 57,756 for 1925-26. The calf-marking system under which tho progeny of good butter-fat producers were kept, had grown enormously, said Mr. Hume. Three years ago only 641 calves were marked, wheroas this year the number was expected to exceed 7000. Highly satisfactory sales of marked calves at the end of last season had given a great stimulus to the system, which demonstrated in a practical way the value of herd-testing. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. 0. J. Hawken, had announced that the Government had approved of a subsidy of £10,500 for subsidising herd-testing for the 1928-29 season, said Mr. Hume. This subsidy would bo paid out at the rate of Is per cow in group testing and 6d per cow for association testing. Last year the subsidy was £BOOO. Herd-test-ing organisations desirous of receiving a portion of the .'1928-29 subsidy should at once make application to tho director of tho dairy division. Mr. Hume expressed regret that the announcement was not made in May, before the testing season commenced, but he was very gratified that the Government recognised the value of the work that was being done, and he felt sure that tho subsidy would give a muchneeded impetus to testing. Although rapid progress was being made, so far only about 15 per cent, of the milking cows in tho Dominion were being tested. In tho South Auckland district tho percentage was about 30.