JERSEY-BREEDING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 2

JERSEY-BREEDING

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING. SPECIAL TO TUB “TUXES” AUCKLAND, July 28. Tho ninth annual meeting of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association. was held this morning in the Chamber of Commerce- • Mr F. E. Watson (Palmerston), president, occupied tho chair, and there was an attendance of about forty representative breeders from various parts of the Dominion. This is the first meeting of the kind held in Auckland, the place of meeting last year being Now Plymouth. Tho annual report stated that the association now had a membership of 200, a gratifying increase for tho year. The nninbor of applications to register stock also showed an increase compared with previous years, a total of 1000 forms having been sent in for rAales and females, and in addition over 100 transfers were on band to bo recorded. Financially, the association was in a sound condition, the bank balance being .£306 8s Id to credit and tho total assets J 1539 8s lid. For tho forthcoming season several owners had announced their intention to apply for the outfit for the official miLc tests, the importance of which the council much desired to emphasise, as no other breed could excel the J crscy as a butter-fat producer. The standard for two-year heifers had been, fixed at 1011 b butter-fat for the seven days' test, and above that ago at 1201 b. At the previous annual meeting it was decided to award tho annual champion medals to officially-tested cows only, but tills had proved impracticable for the present. f Xhe attention of owners was drawn to the new rule requiring all stock for registration to bo branded after July, and cheerful compliance with tho rule was asked for. From the figures given it was evident that in all transactions of tho association a great increase had been recorded. For the year, generally speaking, the work of the association had more than doubled since last year, and trebled since 1809. On the issue of Vol. 8 of the Stud Book there would bo a total of 3118 registered ■ Jersey male and female stock, the foundation of New Zealand herds. The association had had a bright and prosperous career, and its rapid growth in eight years was a tribute to tho Jersey, tho pre-eminent dairy breed. , « , . In moving tho adoption, of the report and balance-sheet, the president drew attention" to tho fact that tho Jersey Brooders’ Association was the largest and strongest society in The number of registered cattlo had increased by 1000 during tho year, and at that rate of progress tho Jersey would soon leave all other breeds far behind. It had increased greatly in popularity during tho past low years, and with its popularity had como numerous disadvantages. The dealer-breeder and the speculative-brooder had como upon the scene, and in their hands tho Jersey did not tend to improve. Ho emphasised in the strongest terms the necessity for the thorough, testing of herds and the culling and slaughtering of all stock which failed to pass the tests. Breeders should consider, not tho present loss but rather the future gain, for their aim was to make ©very cow twice as productive as at present. Tho dairy, was one of intense competition, and if the Holstein and other breeds were to bo successfully met a vigorous policy of specialisation would have to be followed. Mr W. V. Harkness seconded tho motion* which was carried unanimously- ' It was announced that Ills: Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington) had accepted tho office of patron. Air A. HHalcombo (TJrenui) was elected president for tho ensuing year, and Messrs W. M. Tapp (Onehun-ga) and W. V. Harkness (Tariki) vice-presidents. Tho r two vacancies on the council were filled by Messrs W. H- Booth (Carterton) and W. V. Harkness.