HERD TESTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 7

HERD TESTING.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION.

SUCCESSFUL SEASON'S WORK.

NEW DIRECTORS ELECTED. [BY TELEOTtAI'H. —OWN COIUtESrONDENT.] HAMILTON, Monday. A very successful season's work was disclosed at the seventh annual meeting of conveners of the New Zealand Cooperative Herd-Testing Association (incorporated), to-day. Mr. D. Fulton presided. Tho annual report, which has been published, and the balance-sheet, were adopted. The balance-sheet showed that receipts totalled £22,342, and that a profit of £BO3 had been made. Accumulated funds amounted to £966, and assets were valued at £4432.

Speaking to the report, Mr. Fulton said the charges wero altered last year, with a view to encouraging the large herd-owners to test, and the change proved to be very satisfactory. Another change had been made in the charges this year, tho entrance foe for owners with herds of up to 50 cows being reduced from £5 to £2 10s, and t lie charge per cow being increased from 3s to 4s.

Mr. Fulton said herd-testing had never previously been on a better footing in New Zealand than it was to-day. The movement was an outstanding factor in increasing production, and no money could bo more wisely spent than that which was paid for herd-testing. Government Subsidy ol £BOOO.

Mr. Fulton said ho had received a lettor from Dr. C. J. Kcakcs, Director of Agriculture, intimating that the Government subsidy for herd-testing for the 1929-30 season would be £BOOO, as against £10,500 for the previous season. Mr. Full on saitl considerable) alterations had taken place with regard to the distribution of the subsidy for Iho forthcoming season. In future the subsidy would lie utilised for development work, for the purchase of equipment by new associations and fur defraying the cost of expanding the scheme.

A change had been made in connection with the constitution of the association and the whole of the present board of management retired at to-day's meeting. The following directors were then elected: —Messrs. J). Fulton, T. J. Bryant, P.. 11. Budden. F. 11. Anderson, W. 11. Allen, P. A. Candy, W. L. Itanstead and A. 8. Wyllie. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. J. 15. McKinncy, of Bombay, who retired from tiie board of management.

New Set of Rules Adopted. The meeting adopted a new set of standard rules, and affirmed the principle that all pedigree bulls born after July 1, 1931, must bo certificated. The principle of marking all cows under test with a permanent visible mark was affirmed. Uniform rules governing calf-marking were approved. It was stated that there had been a loss of £220 on calf-marking last season, and it was decided to increase the fharges to Is Gd a calf for members and 5s a rait for non-members.

Mr. C. M. Hume, Dominion supervisor for the New Zealand Federation, said that eight years ago 45.000 cows were being tested in the Dominion, whereas last season no fewer than 300.000 were tested. This number, however, represented only 22 per cent, of the cows being milked. The Dominion average production had risen from 1751b. of fat a cow to 2251b. of fat in the last eight years. This increase meant a cash difference of £2.200.000 to die producers, on the basis of Is 3d per lb. Mr. A. 11. Ward, of Hamilton, lias been appointed secretary to the association.