HERD IMPROVEMENT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3756, 15 May 1936, Page 7

HERD IMPROVEMENT

TE AWAMUTU DISTRICT GROUPS.

ANNUAL MEETING POORLY ATTENDED.

The annual meeting of Te Awamutu and district groups of the New Zealand Co-operative Herd-testing Association was held in the Parish Hall on Thursday afternoon, Mr W. L. Ranstead (Matangi) being voted to the chair in the unavoidable absence of the district director, Mr A. S. Wyllie. The chairman also apologised for the absence of the general manager, Mr R. J. Sheaf. Mr Ranstead first dealt with the experiments carried out under the Association's auspices during last year in artificial insemination, and said that the results so far were by no means as good as hoped for, through lack of sufficient apparatus and tbe scattered area over which the experiments were conducted. He went into details in explaining the methods, and said that the work was very technical and involved. In some other countries the artificial method had been nroved very successful, and he predicted that in the years to come it would be successful in New Zealand. Continuing, Mr Ranstead said the Department of Scientific Research was developing the science of genetics, and thus the work would be in good hands and in the interests of the general body of dairymen. FEWER MEMBERS.

Mr F. 0. Knight dealt more particularly with the work of the Herdtesting Association, and regretted that there was a falling off in membership due to the hard times through which the industry was passing. But he knew that a good percentage of the members who had continued were well pleased with the results obtained. The speaker quoted instances that had come under his personal experience where reduced herds were giving higher returns. Only the proved best cows were, of course, retained. Consistent testing year after year gave the best results. Testing was a successful guide to breeding on sound lines and in increasing average production. The figures supplied were regarded, by wise farmers, as valuable guides in reducing labour and increasing production. INTERESTING FIGURES.

The Association’s office staff were conscientious and keen, and he quoted some instances of “ eye-openers ” that was, cows giving exceptional returns. One cow gave 536 lbs of fat in 336 days—and the owner did not realise he had such a valuable cow. A nominated “cull” in one herd gave 352 lbs fat in 310 days; another similar n cull ” gave 405 lbs fat in 307 days; and a third gave 403 lbs fat in 289 days. All three cows quoted were nominated culls. Another cow that just escaped similar nomination had given, at the age of 19 years, 467 lbs fat in 292 days. Those figures were indeed “ eye-openers.” But, said Mr Knight, the owner had not previously known that he had such a good cow. and therefore had missed the opportunity to select her progeny for retention in the herd.

Mr Knight next quoted a Matamata farmer, Mr G. H. Seed, a consistent tester. His herd of 150 cows in 1933-34 averaged 360 lbs fat; the following year 170 cows averaged 340 lbs fat; and this year 170 cows gave 371 lbs fat The owner had studied his figures closely, and now knew his best cows; therefore he could breed from them for replenishing his herd. Mr Knight counselled all dairymen to do likewise, breeding wisely, feeding well, and culling where necessary. That was the sound way to success. The grade dairyman could breed from good bulls with butter-fat backing, and go on from success to greater success. _ REORGANISATION. Dealing with the reorganisation of control of herd-testing, Mr Knight traced the changes in recent years and the negotiations with the breeds’ federation for united action. He thought the breeders were unwise to insist upon C.O.R. certificates, for the herd-testing association’s marked-calf system required that the calves dealt with must have been sired by pedigree bulls. The breeders apparently failed to realise the importance of the group herd-testing associations, members of which were, largely, the buyers of pedigree bulls, especialy bulls with good butter-fat backing. The ultimate objective was to have every cow, both pedigree and grade, placed under test, and he explained the American method as one very well worthy’ of emulation. In one of the European countries there were also testing requisites considerably better than in New Zealand.

COMBINING THE SYSTEMS. Going dn to refer more particularly to herd-testing in New Zealand, the speaker said there was really no reason why C.O.R. and O.H.T. could not be combined with the group testing that was now so universal. The Government subsidy to encourage herdtesting was being reduced each year, and now represented less than Id per cow under test. The Federation had co-operated with the Herd-recording Council sponsored by the Dairy Board, and Mr C. M. Hume (well known in the Waikato) was the supervisor. Last year the general average for Association cows was 249.76 lbs, and this year it was approximately 255 lbs. Last September was a record low month for any September in the Association’s history, owing to very dry conditions. January and February were better than any previous January and February.

WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? Discussing the future, Mr Knight said it would be impossible to decide what the new season's charges would be, but labour costs were going up, and he forecast an increase in testing charges. One penny increase per cow represented about £4OO, but there were about 80 men employed on the outdoor staff. So much pending legislation would affect the position that at present he could not indicate what the charges would be. The Association was operating as economically as possible. The testing fees reserve ac-

count, built up before the depression, had nearly all been utilised by the end of the last year. The statement of this year’s working was not yet completed, but he predicted that the year maintained its former margin. Of the Association’s revenue 75 per cent was expended as wages. The speaker went on to explain what was known as the proven bull scheme, and traced the steps already taken by Association officers, notably Mr Ward. The scheme was not yet ready for introduction here, but he was confident it would be well worthy of adoption. Meantime calf-marking was being continued, as a step toward providing sufficient records for the proven bull scheme. An index was being prepared of calf identification, and it would prove very valuable indeed. Mr Ward, however, had lately been appointed technical supervisor for the Herd-recording Council, and would therefore be leaving Waikato at the end of June. However, his transfer to Wellington .would give him a wider scope of action in developing the scheme. There was, continued the speaker, now a definite shortage of good dairy stock throughout South Auckland, and the position would become more acute. Therefore, the advantages of the calf-marking scheme should he apparent. He quoted instances of good prices obtained for marked incalf heifers, and also for marked weaner calves; the latter had made up to £3 5s per head at the Pukekohe sale, whereas at the previous year’s sale the price was £2 4s 3d. At Matamata last year heifer calves realised £1 17s 6d, and this year the calves averaged £3 16s 3d. At Tirau this year the 20 marked calves were not in good condition, and with only “ borderline ” backing; the sale was a failure, buyers wanting better condition and better butter-fat backing. QUESTIONS.

To questions, Mr Knight explained the position re the mammitis test this season, saying decision had been deferred pending receipt of reports from the investigators. It was hoped to find a practical and inexpensive plan. Mr A. T. Bryant gave his experience and observations on the test, saying his herd was under both mammitis test and Government test. The figures showed reasonably unifornt results.

It was stated that 75 per cent of members of the district groups were favourable to the mammitis test.

Mr Ranstead expressed the opinion that last year only 580 cows obtained the C.O.R. certificate out of about 2,000,000. About 50,000 to 100,000 bulls were needed, and thus there was need for far more testing to obtain good bulls. C.O.R. could not provide enough good bulls, so cows in groups testing over 450 lbs of fat would have to be relied upon to fill the defici-

ency. Mr Knight said it would be a very dangerous step for the Association to recognise grade bulls. Pure blood, with good butter-fat backing, was essential to maintain the herd productivity. Mr Ranstead said the Association was to obtain bulls that would establish high-producing qualities on their daughters, and he forecast that the system of artificial insemniation would be very important in assuring this. It was agreed, in view of the small attendance of members, to defer the appointment of group committees, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the visiting delegation.