OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 14

OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

MONTHLY MEETING. NEW REGULATIONS ADOPTED. The Dioothly meeting of the executive the Otago A. and P. Societv was held on Thursday morning. The following members were present—Messrs W 0 APKellar (in the chair), A. King A ,F c i iyer ’ d - j * Koss > d - MPnilhp, L. Al North, S. Bowman, Charles Todd, G. Black, T. T. Ritchie, James Begg, and H. C. Campbell. Ihe Executive Committee reported that it had considered various resolutions passed at the annual conference in Wellington, and recommended that the following should be included in the society's general regulations (1) That females in all dairy breeds be judged before males ; (2) that fe ; male champions in all dairy breeds be judged before the animals are milked. It also recommended that the following resolutions be adopted in the selection of champions and reserve champions : The first prize winners in all eligible classes to be paraded for selection of championshin. As soon as the selection is made the animal that was placed second in the class from which the champion was selected be allowed to enter the ring and compete for reserve championship. That -points be allowed on the following basis: Less than five entries—first 6 points, second 4 points, third 2 points. When more than five entries are received an additional point will be allowed for highly commended. Champions to receive two points extra, and reserve champion one point, extra, and where there is no competition only half points allowed. The President, in moving the adoption i of the report, explained that he understood that the principal metropolitan societies had adopted these regulations. The motion was seconded by Mr Campbell and carried. The Finance Committee recommended that accounts amounting to £370 12s Bd. as detailed in the accounts register, be passed for payment.—Approved. The Clvdesdale Horse Committee recommended that the two judges be appointed to act at the horse- parade, and recommended the names of four competent men to fill the positions. A sug-

gestion was received to add a progeny class at the parade, and after careful consideration the committee decided not to include this class in the parade, but to give it favourable consideration for the Summer Show. The committee recommended that the following rules be added to the general regulations:—“That the owner of a dam at the time of foaling be considered the breeder” ; and “that only stock registered in the respective stud, herd, or flock books be accepted for entry in all breeding sections.” On the motion of Mr Back, the committee’s report was adopted. TAIIUNA PARK SIDING. The Grounds, Finance, and Executive Committee reported on a conference at Tahuna Park with the chairman of the Ocean Beach Domain Board to discuss the question of extending the present railway line. The various proposals were submitted, and it was considered that the most suitable was to arrange a back shunt from the present siding along Victoria road. Before anything definite could be done it would be necessary to have the consent of the Ocean Beach Domain Board, the St. Kilda and City Councils, and in the meantime the railway engineer had been asked to inspect the proposal and advise if it would be suitable -from a railway point of view. As these proposed improvements could not be completed before the November Show, the committee was repairing the fences at the present loading bank. The iron roof oyer the cattle sheds was in a bad condition, and was being further destroyed by boys crossing the sandhills. It had been suggested, with the consent of the Domain Board, to erect about 15 chains of—iron fence, which would not only prevent the public from obtaining access, but would give the societv a natural grand stand which would he of great value to women and children aliening the show. The estimated cost of these improvements would be about £250. and the committee recommended that this work be carried out. if satisfactory arrangements could lie made with the Domain Board. The sub-eommitof’s report was adopted on the motion of Mr W. O. M'Kellar. ROYAL SHOW. Mr E. Duthie, the society's representative on the Royal Society, reported that at the last council meeting the schedule for the forthcoming show was carefully revised, and judges appointed for the different sections. The question of holding the Royal Show in the autumn was fully discussed, and it was decided to defer consideration until next meeting, thus giving all interested an opportunity of expressing their opinions. From the replies already received seven breeders’ associations and seven kindred associations were in favour of changing the date to autumn, while five recommended that the show be continued to be held in the spring. Air Duthie’s report was received and noted. GENERAL. The Canterbury Provincial Secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote stating that the efforts of the association to make the recent visit of members a pleasant and profitable one were particularly successful, and all who made the trip were enthusiastic about the arrangements and the hospitality extended to them. A resolution of warmest thanks was accorded to the association at the recent annual conference.—Received and noted.

The Secretary of the Dunedin Master Butchers’ Association wrote advising that in future all prizes donated by it should be awarded for the best bullock not over 8501 b, as being moSv suitab’e for butchers’ purposes. The association's support was appreciated, and their request as regards weight wot ’be co lied with. The Society for the Preventicr of Cruelty to Animals wrote enclosing a letter received from Mr R. Coghill in reference to oil for branding cattle. Mr Black stated th: t before the committee could give any definite opinion as to the suitability of this branding' oil it should be thoroughly tested, and moved that the society give every assistance in arranging for a thorough test of this oil. The motion was seconded by Mr Ritchie, and carried.

Air John Donaldson, of Stirling, wrote pointing out the serious delay in judging the red polled section at the last Summer Show, and asked that arrangements be made whereby no such delay would occur. The letter was referred to the Committee, with the request that any such complaints should be at once rectified.

The Presdent, in submitting the Stock Amendment Bill for consideration, pointed out the anomalies in some of the classes, and it was decided to suggest amendment in two classes dealing with the branding and earmarking of stock. The committee nominated judges for various sections for the Summer Show. HERD TESTING. SOUTH CANTERBURY PROGRESS. TEMUKA, July 28. A meeting of considerable interest to dairy farmers was held in Temuka on Tues . day afternoon, for the purpose of discussing the procuring of some additional herds for ' the existing Clandeboye hoard-testing group as well as the possible formation of a i second group, to include the Milford. I Temuka, and Seadown districts. Air \V I H. StanilanJ presided, and among those ■ present were Mr A. G. Paterson, and Mr : G. S. Ridley (agricultural instructor for schools in South Canterbury). The Chairman, in explaining the object of the meeting, stated that herd-testing had proved to be a payable proposition, and had revealed that fully one-fourth of the general cows milked were unurofitable. It cost from £lO upward to keep a cow per year, and cost no more to keep a highgrade beast. A larger herd-testing group

would mean cheaper rates, but hitherto it had cost the Clandeboye members about 4s 6d jier cow. This had been made up many times over by the elimination of the robber” cows from the herd. He understood the testing officer could travel as far south as Seadown during the coining season.

-ur Downes (Alilford) endorsed the scacnie. He had had experience cf testthe services of a testing officer and was convinced of its value. He believed the Milford farmers would support the scheme.

Air A. AL Paterson stressed the value of herd-testing, and the necessity of some system of ascertaining which were the profitable cows. At the present time ho was making an inspection of the dairy herds in South Canterbury, and was amaze! at the number of unprofitable cows that werfe being milked. In many cases ftwo-thirds. and sometimes almost the whole herd, were not worth keepinff. In the Taieri, 10 or 12 years ago, herdtesting was commenced, and as a’ result many farmers who were very poor then had profited greatly. He also gave an instance which had. occurred in South Canterbury, where 15 cows were being kept at a loss. lie had been asked to suggest a remedy, and had purchased six cows of proved worth, and those had supplied more milk and butter than the 15 animals they had replaced. This kind of thing was going on ail over South Canterbury, and it was absolutely essential that all dairy herds should be tested if the best returns wore to bo obtained. The Chairman stated that a committeo had already boon set up in connection - vear s e ron P, and suggested the addition of a few names re present-: ng farmers in other districts. This committeo could then canvass to ascertain the support likely to be forthcoming, and report at a future meeting. The names aaded were:—Messrs P. Downes (Milford) J. O. -T. Oliver (Temuka), and R. J. Edgar (Seadown).

It was also decided to ask the secretary to get into touch with the Department of Agriculture as to the conditions under which the Government subsidy for herdtesting was available. Some discussion took place in regard to the method of disposal of cull cows. It did not seem right that these should bo offered at the public sale yards to buyers who were in ignorance of their being culls.. One of the objects in forming a herd-testing association was fo educate farmers to gain a knowledge of a cow’s productive capacity before buying. Air Paterson wa.s of the opinion that cull cows should certainly ho eliminated, and sent to tne works for killing. Air G- S. Ri-dloy also addressed tho

meeting on the value of herd-testing, and expressed pleasure that farmers were now getting thev industry on to a better basis. He favoured the group system of testing, under which the farmers enjoyed many advantages, and gained a knowledge of the relative value of each individual cow. Several minor points were also discussed, and it was suggested that tho Farmers’ Union and the A. and P. Association be asked to assist, especially in tho disposal and elimination of cull cows.