THE CO-OPERATIVE TESTING ASSOCIATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 3

THE CO-OPERATIVE TESTING ASSOCIATION

FIRST IN AUSTRALIA. The milk producers in tlio South Coast district© of Now South Wales have decided to form what will bo the first cow testing association in Australia. This admirable movement owes its existence to the generosity of a leading agriculturist in the Berry district, Mr Ale*. Hay, who has given JdiOO as the basis of a fund for the association. The New South Wales Government is strongly supporting the scheme. At a largely attended meeting, when the scheme was enthusiastically approved, llio State dairy expert was present, and gave the mooting a good idea of the splendid manner in which dairy farmers in other countries wore advancing the standard of their herds by co-operative testing associations. Mr Hay proposed Hint the first year mom bore need only kcoip records of the weight of milk of each oow, to bo taken onoo every two Weeks and fcho weight multiplied by fourteen. A sheet containing theso figures could be sent to the central organisation, where it would bo recorded. It was thought by the nicotine that students of Hawkesbury Agricultural College could bo secured to act as official testers, it being considered that the ■visits paid by such a man to the farms would have an important educational effect; also that the results of the tests should be published; and that any cow proving unsatisfactory should bo earmarked, eo that the buyer would know what lie was getting. At the conclusion of tho meeting twenty-four dairy farmers gave in their names as willing to join the association, the*whole of these, with Mr Itay, the State export, and four others, being appointed a committee to draw up the necessary regulations.