HERD TESTING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16706, 25 July 1928, Page 10

HERD TESTING

FORMATION OF GROUPS rEOGEESS IN EOVEETY BAY In prepaid lion lor an commencement than last seagull, the Poverty Day Group Herd Testing Association has been active recently in gaining some idea of the possible- support for next season’s testing. Hie association already has completed the tonnation of one group of 26 herds, comprising 1263 cows, while in addition there are a number who had anticipated joining up, and it is stated that should sufficient applications come to hand before the end of the month arrangements will be made for the formation of another group. , The association has appointed a testing officer already, one who has had three years’ experience of testing with tiie New Zealand Cooperative Herd Testing Association, which has promised the Poverty Bay association every possible help for the fostering of the movement here. In this respect, the following letter under date of . July 17 has been received from Mr. C. M. Hume, general , manager of the New Zealand Association, which has its headquarteis in Hamilton: — “We had a meeting of our directors yesterday, when I was instructed to give you all the assistance possible. We would prefer that you operate as a separate association, registering under the Incorporated Societies Act. so that you link up with the federation, nf would be prepared to send you an experienced man, who would be capable of taking charge and developing the herd testing work in your district. If there were only 27 herds to test. I think it unlikely that this man. would be able to do also the calculations. By increasing tiie number of herds to. say, 40 or 41, a sampling officer at probably £lO a month- could be engaged, and the testing officer himself would only go to a herd every second night. This would enable him to do the calculations and the recording for the 40 herds. The testing officer we have in mind, Mr. William, lias been with us three years, and wo are not at all anxious to lose him, He would require £lB per month fur a 10 month session, and Ins expenses to Gisborne. If, on the other hand, vour people are not ready to became an incorporated body, and it is only by being an incorporated body that you can link up with the federation,my directors would be willing to operate the group from here. Wo are not out to niufve a profit on the work, but ne could not undertake it if there were any chance of the association beipg at- a loss for tho season’s operations. Should you decide to become an incorporated body, and you are not able to secure move than the one group, we would Be prepared to do all the calpU" lations, supplying the test forms, and postages in the completed to members each month at 8d per cow.’ It was announced to-day, that ip the event of the Poverty Bay Association being successful in forming two groups it would become an incorporated body, and wopld affiliate with the New Zealand Herd Testing Federation. In the meantime, it lias been decided to appoint Mr. William as the testing officer hero on the terms indicated in the New Zealand association’s letter, and, if it wore possible to obtain 40 herds, to appoint a- sampling officer on lines similar to those outlined in the. same communication. It- is definite that at least one group' will be operating under the Poverty Bay Group Herd Testing Association, but it remains to he seen whether the work can bo further extended.