DISTRICT HERD TESTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18058, 7 April 1933, Page 5

DISTRICT HERD TESTS

INCREASE ON LAST YEAR TRIFLING DROP FROM FEBRUARY The average butterfat for tested herds in the Gisborne district last- month showed an increase of over half a lb. on the average for March last year, while the reduction from February was very snfall. Last month’s' average was 261271 b.. per cow, and the maintenance of production at such a high level at so late a period in the season reflects on the excellence of the dairying conditions. Last autumn was also most lavorable for production, but the -present period is even better, and there has been an abundance of feed since early in January. Figures supplied by the secretary _of the Poverty Bay Group Herd Testing Association, Mr. M. Whitham, show that last month’s average was only 1.391 b. of fat per cow lower than the February average. Quite a number of herds showed an increase last month over the previous period of from 21b. to 31b., although others dropped as much as 61b. in their averages. A good performance was put up by a large herd of 108 cows in No. 3 group; this herd, with a 5.3 test, averaged 33.7311). of fat, after having been in milk for about seven months.

The following summary of the position last month is supplied by the secretary : NO. 1 GROUP

Manutuke, Patutahi, Tiniroto, Taliunga Cows Milk Test Fat lb, lb.

Highest herd — Up to 30 cows ... 30 642 5.9 38.43 Over 30 cows ... 33 625 5.9 37.24 Lowest herd av. ... 37 344 5.1 17.56 Highest cow ... — — — 59.00 Lowest cow ... — — — 6.00 Group average 1182 500 5.3 26.92 NO. 2 GROUP Ngatapa, Patutahi, Gisborne Highest herd— Up to 30 cows ... 14 600 5.8 35.07 Over 30 cows ... 57 525 6.0 31.92 Lowest herd av. ... 37 429 4.4 19.05 Highest cow ... — — — 67.00 Lowest cow . . — .—■ — 4.00 Group average ’ 1114 485 5.2 25.55 NO. Motu, To Karako 3 GROUP t, Gisborne, Tolaga Bay Iligliest herd— Up to SO cows ... 32 716 5.1 37.12 Over 50 cows ... 53 633 5.4 34.37 Lowest herd av. ... 69 270 5.5 14.82 Highest cow ... — — — 75.00 Lowest cow — — — 2.00 Group average 1351 495 5.3 26.28 ASSOCIATION SUMMARY March; 1033 3647 494 5.3 26.27 March, 1932 2581 505 5.0 25.74