DAIRYING RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 9

DAIRYING RECORDS.

COW AND ACREAGE YIELDS.

CELEBRATION AT NGARUA.

VALUE OF HERD-TESTING

[I!Y TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AROHA, Friday. Two world's records in tho production of butter-fat per cow and per acre were acclaimed in speeches at the Ngarua Hall to day by leaders of the dairying industries to n crowded gathering of settlers belonging to the Ngarua, group of the New Zealand Co-opcrativo Herd-Testing Association. The records were tho production of 318.421b. of butter-fat per cow for 1113 cows in 281 clays, and an average production of 1801b. of butter-fat per acift. Mr. L. Candy, chairman of the Ngarua Group Committee, who presided, said ho regarded tho records as a triumph for tho system of Jierd-testing, which had proved of inestimable benefit to tho industry. Ngarua was a comparatively new district, and its marked progress largely due to the settlers faith in rotational grazing, and the necessity to make good 011 land bought at boom prices. 'l'ho best individual performance for tho season was that of Mr. F. liayward, who had produced 2561b. of butter-fat per aero on his holding. Tho highest individual production in the group was that of Mr. F. James, whose herd of 86 cows averaged 379.61b. of fat in 296 days. .Mr. Dynes Fulton referred to the magnificent work of those v ho pioneered tho herd-testing movement, particularly Dr. Babcock, inventor of tho l'adcock test. He praised the work of Dr. C. J. Reakes, of the Department of Agriculture, in urging tho Government to grant a subsidy for herd-testing. Mr. Fulton said it was now proposed to stop or lower the subsidy. If this subsidy was withdrawn tho dairying industry could scarcely fail to be vitally affected. The central executive of tho association had therefore ' recommended that the subsidy bo devoted entirely to developing herd-testing under the group system. Much of the success of the Ngarua group was undoubtedly due to tho splendid enthusiasm of Mr. L. Candy, who had rendered a great service, not only to tho Thames Valley but to the whole of NewZealand. Mr. S. J. Sheath said ho attributed the phenomenal success of the group to fertilisation, herd-testing and grasslands management.