YIELDS OF COWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23413, 1 August 1939, Page 14

YIELDS OF COWS

PROGRESS LACKING DANES' GREAT ADVANTAGE PROBLEMS OF DISEASE WEALTH IN SOLUTION £fhom oun own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday About' 50 representatives of herdtesting groups throughout the Auckland Province wore present at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Co-operative Herd Testing Association in Hamilton to-day. The chairman of directors, Mr. It. A. Candy, of Ngarua, presided. "During the past seven years this association has not made the progress it should in increasing the production per cow," said Mr. Candy. "When we realise that our average production per cow is almost 1001b. below that of our greatest competitor, the Dane, it shows only too well what a wonderful advantage he has over us. What is possible for him is possible for us, and, with the combined wisdom of our farmers, breeders and technical assistants; it will be achieved."

Mr. Candy said the lack of progress could be attributed to the following factors: —(1) Disease problems, reducing the percentage of cows possible to replace for low production. (2) Lack of ability on the part of the average sire in use in the industry to leave daughters as good as their dams. (3) Lack of any real measuring rod showing the efficiency of sires so that those of benefit to the industry would bo maintained within it for the maximum period of years, and those a drag on it discarded at the earliest opportunity. (4) Incomplete utilisation by farmers of the data made available for them. "If by an attack on the disease position from a sound basis we can extend the working life of our dairy cows by one year," said Air. Candy, "we can save the farming community an annual replacement cost of £500,000. By increasing our average production per cow by 301b., we can lift the industry's return, on to-day's prices, by £1,200,000. What other avenue shows such possibilities?" The general manager, Mr. S. J. Sheaf, said the average size of herds under tost' last season was 50.28, a decrease of 2.47 cows per herd on tlie figures for the previous season. The approximate number of cows tested was 93,851, compared with 111,240 in the previous season. Air. W. H. Allen, of Tirau, and Mr. Candy, Were re-elected as the two directors representing the conveners. Mr. It. P. Hazard was re-appointed auditor. Mr. Candy announced, that the association would be known in future as the Auckland Herd Improvement Association.