HERD TESTING.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12424, 17 August 1933, Page 3

HERD TESTING.

The New Zealand Herd Testing Central Executive is unanimously of the opinion that at all times, and especially in this period of lowprices, it is essential that herd testing should be adopted by every dairy farmer. The evidence in this country, and indeed in all dairying countries, is that the adoption of consistent herd testing is the greatest factor in improving management generally. The monthly visit of the testing officer is to the farmer what the accountant’s monthly trial balance is to the city business man. It indicates definitely whether the herd sire is good, bnd, or indifferent. It also shows if the cows are thoroughly milked. It creates an interest to the owner, his family, and the milkers, and makes for a “herd of cows” instead of “a collection of cattle.” It provides a goal to work for. Herd testing should, be regarded as the first, plank in dairy farm management. To the mortgagee or to the holder of a hill of sale, we say unhesitatingly that the herd testing returns will show if the herd is at fault, or if file management of the farm is responsible for low returns. Money spent on fertiliser when the herd is going back through the retention of cows which. are unprofitable, or through the use of poor herd sires, is money misspent. 11l fact, many phases of management can be correctly interpreted if the herd is under test. Mortgagees and the like would therefore, be protecting their own interests and strengthening their securities by bringing about the adoption of consistent herd testing on the part of their clients. Experience has shown that a herd under test will give a better aggregate yield than one not under test, owing to the owner exercising greater care in management and greater effort m obtaining the highest yield possible. To factory directors, we submit that the best way to increase supply to the factory is by the general adoption of herd testing. This will give increased retjirns and a better quality product from the present suppliers. To the dairy farmer, we say that finance will be easier if herd testing returns are produced w-hieh indicate definitely that the herd is being improved by breeding and selection. Such returns are definite evidence that the management is on business lines, not on guess work. The Dominion generally is largely dependent on a prosperous .dairymg industry. With our present knowledge it would seem that there is no better purpose to which dairying lands can be put. It is therefore essential that the industry be Placed in the position that butterfat can be produced at a lower cost here than in any other country. We are convinced that this can be clone. Herd testing with its resultant better feeding and better management generally, is the greatest factor in reaching this obiective. AYe therefore appeal to factory directors, and to the commercial community to encourage the adoption of systematic herd testing. Fortunately the machinery is at hand. r J he whole of the Dominion is now catered for by the 28 Ob-operative Group -Herd Testing Associations comprising the Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation. The Federation has evolved a Dominion system of calf marking, 'and by the co-ordination of methods the work is on uniform lines which is so essential to success. Owing to the loiv prices of butteriat this season many farmers will >e faced with arrears of payments on orders given by them against their factory cheques. Clients there°J(’•r IT I, ma,, . v eases, must be assisteel i they are to test next season. \\ o urge that wherever, possible this assistance be given for the ultimate benefit of all concerned. rhoiigh the nuralier of cows under o/S? son , 1S a record, prob- ' y —BO ,00, that number represents not more than 16 per cent. th i° dau ' v cows m the Dominion. Ve nave no hesitation m saying that the percentage should be at least doubled if the dairying industry is to be placed in an unassailable position.

The importance which the New Zealand Herd Testing Central Executive attaches to the subject of herd testing is strongly indicated by the following resolution which was carried unanimously at its last meeting held m Wellington on the sth June, 1933: “That a letter signed by the chairman of the Herd Testing Central Executive be sent to the Government Lending institutions throughout the Dominion expressing a realisation of their difficulties in these trying days but urging upon them not only the advantages of herd testing even from their point of view, but of the necessity of the farmer improving his returns, and urging such lending departments and financial institutions to give favourable consideration to requests from farmers for assistance to enable them to pay their herd testing fees ; and that in placing this request before the persons concerned a suggestion be made that if necessary the requests be considered by the directors of dairy companies or herd testing organisations for approval before submission : this resolution to be placed before the Departments and financial institutions concerned by a deputation from the Central, Executive consisting of the chairman of the Central Executive, the Federation Supervisor of Herd Testing and the Department of Agriculture. ’ 3