HERD-TESTING YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23115, 13 August 1938, Page 22

HERD-TESTING YEAR

WHANGAREI ASSOCIATION PRODUCTION IN YOUNG STOCK [by telegraph —own correspondent] WHANGAREI. Friday Reporting to the annual mooting of the Whangarei Group Herd-Testing Association, the • chairman, Mr. F. Elliott, said that a credit balance resulted from the year's working. The prospects for the coining season appeared to bo good, judging from the response received from a canvass among farmers. An explanation of the steps that were to be taken by the association during the coming season for the detection of mammitis in cows was given by tho secretary-supervisor, Mr. J. Nevil Brown. Tests would he carried out free to members through financial assistance from the Dairy Board and tho Government. From tho data that was so obtained throughout New Zealand it was hoped that a better knowledge of the disease would bo obtained and might load to a cure. From a summary of the production figures of tho herds with a number of young stock under test in the district, Mr v Brown said that in only 31 herds had the young stock shown an improvement in production over tho mat rive cows. In 52 herds there was no improve* mcnt, while in 34 herds tho young stock showed a decrease. This was not a very encouraging position. Tho inereaso in production per cow seemed to have como to a standstill, both, in this and other associations. Tho cause appeared to bo duo to tho quality of the sires used and a solution seemed to bo tho uso of proved sires- when possible. The following committee was appointed:—Messrs. F. Elliott, E. S. Tremaine. 11. E. Hewlett, H. Ellis, TI. A. Hawken, IT. llusk and W. Knowles.