INCREASING PRODUCTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 13

INCREASING PRODUCTION.

LOCAL DAIRY COMPANIES INTERESTED.

An endeavour is at present being made t<> introduce the valuable and profitable practice of herd testing in the Taieri dairying districts, and in this connection the services of Mr C. M. Hume (general manager of the New Zealand Herd-test-ing federation) have been enlisted. Mr Hume has just concluded a tour of the dairying region of Southland, and on his way north again he has agreed to make a short stay in this district, and do what he can to assist the movement at present pn foot to arouse keener interest in this important matter. Last month a delegation from one of the large Dunedin dairy companies visited the JNorth Island, and among other matters, inquired into the herd-testing and calf-marking systems that have become so popular in northern dairying districts, and in the Waikato particularly. Botli systems commended themselves to'the visitors to such effect that it was decided to leave no stone unturned in an endeavour ?i? t -j resfc farmers in the South Island in both ideas. Also, when it was learnt that Mr Hume was contemplating a visit to the south, he was approached with a request that he should help the inaugural movement by addressing farmers on the subject, pointing out what had already been accomplished in the north. It was then agreed that a start, should be made on the Taieri Plains, and with this end in view the directors of the Momona, Henley, Maungatua, and Mosgiel Dairy Companies were written to, and a meeting was convened to make arrangements tor concerted action.

Of course, the adoption of the system of herd testing cannot be expected to solve all the dairyman’s worries. Herd testing is not going to make the cows produce any more fat. It does not directly increase production, but it does indicate how that desirable end is to be attained The considerations of feeding and breedremain as important as ever, but it will be seen that withouHsome such practice scientific feeding and careful selection are rendered abortive, since the initial data upon which both depend are lacking.

With reference to the question of the cost of testing a herd, a few -xtracts from the rules of the New Zealand Cooperative Herd-testing Association should prove interesting:—“ Members are charged at the rate of 5s per cow up to 75 cows and 3s per cow thereafter in the same herd. The minimum payment is £5. The money is collected by an irrevocable order on the dairy company, and the deduction is made at the rate of Is per cow per month spread over the five flush months. All members must sign >.n order or pay the cash before any lest figures are supplied to them? Add to this the cost of extra equipment necessary for the taking of samples (specially in the case of machine milking), and the result should not be prohibitive. Moreover, the principle of deducting a comparatively small sum from milk cheques in the flush of the season, must commend itself to the farmer since it does away with the necessity of writing out a fairly large cheque all at once. Provision, however, is made for those who wish to do so to pay cash for the year’s testing. In regard to calf-marking, which is usually carried out in conjunction with testing, it can be said that this too is a practice that can only result in benefit to dairymen. Heifer calves from dams under test are eligible for marking, and the mothers must be credited with certain performances in a definite lactation period. For instance, a dam might be required to have produced 2501 b of fat a ® a two-year-old, 2751 b as a three-year-old and 3001 b as a mature cow. In the north the above standards have to be reached in not more than 305 days. By this means vendors can confidently offer to their clients calves with butter-fat backing and breeding, and the buyer is enabled to eliminate guess work in building up his herd. The risk of introducing disease into the herd is small, and there can be no question about the correctness of the details concerning any animal purchased, since if it is marked there must be an accompanying certificate to go with the sale. The system has undoubtedly had a great effect on calf sales in the Waikato.