GROUP HERD-TESTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 13

GROUP HERD-TESTING

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION REDUCED FEES MAINTAINED YEAR'S RESULTS SATISFACTORY [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday Satisfaction with last season's operations was expressed by members at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cooperative Herd-testing Association yesterday. Mr. J. T. Bryant presided over n representative gathering. The annual report, which has been published, was adopted. Reviewing the balance-sheet, the general manager, Mr. S. J. Sheaf, stated that receipts totalled £18,887, including £15,642 from testing fees. The previous year the revenue from this source was £22,488, and the decrease was due to a reduction in the charges of 33 per cent. Without taking into account the subsidies and tho credit balance in hand at the beginning of the year, there was a loss of £2292 on the year's operations, but with the credit balanco and subsidies included in the receipts the association had finished with a net profit of £5065. The position regarding the subsidy for tlio new season was indefinite, bus. tlie association hoped to receive it. In any case, thero would bo no increase in the charges made last year. Continuing, Mr. Sheaf said the total number of herds tested last season was 1890, compared with 1738 for the 1930-31 season, an increase of 152 herds or 8.74 per cent. A total of 106,290 cows were tested once or more during the season, as compared with 95,832 for the 1930-31 season, an increase of 10,458 cows or 10.91 per cent. Expenditure had been reduced by £6200 during the last two years. The actual cost to tho association of carrying out testing operations during last season averaged 3s 9.70 d a cow, as compared with 4s 4.30 d during tho 1930-31 season. A proportionate sampling and a composite check test system, which had been in operation in the association's territory for tho last two seasons, had given entirely satisfactory results. It was decided to request tho Dominion federation to press the Government to adopt a system whereby cull cows could bo distinguished from satisfactory milking cows in the market. On tho motion of Mr. E. E. Hale it was decided that it bo a recommendation to the management committee to consider tho question of providing that the final sheets for tho season should include the averago test and total quantity of milk produced by each cow, and also tho average test and average quantity of milk for the herd. Mr. Sheaf stated that the association had decided not to carry out skim milk tests .in future, except in cases where members were unable to have tho tests done in a factory. Messrs. W. L. Ranstead (Matangi) and A. S. Wyllio (To Kawa) were re-elected directors and Mr. E. F. Hazard was reappointed auditor.