TESTING OF JERSEY COWS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1930, Page 13

TESTING OF JERSEY COWS

RAISING STANDARD OF BREED. FIELDS OFFICER SUGGESTED. The opinion that the council of th®. New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Associa* tion might spend a much larger por». tion of its income along avenues that would popularise the breed and further assist breeders to improve their stock and methods of farming was expressed by the president, Mr. C. G. C. Dermer, in a written apology for absence froni the association’s annual meeting at Ha* wera yesterday.Mr. Dermer suggested further assistance by way of subsidy to working under C.0.R., a reduction of fees for classification and consideration of the appointment of a fields office? to work among smaller breeders, giving demonstrations and where required at» tending shows in New Zealand and Australia and generally keeping the merit# of the breed before the public. In his opinion a suitable man would be oi enormous value to the breed in many ways. Mr. Dermer noted an increase in th# number of cows under C.O.R. test, but stated that- considering the importance of production this fine system should b# supported even more by breeders and should be assisted by a material in* crease in subsidy during the coming season. If this were done, the associa* tion would more than pay the total cost of testing where breeders mad# records that were a credit to the breed. In regard to the 305-day test Mr, Dermer believed it would be brought into operation this season, and urged its advocates to see that numerous en* tries were forthcoming to ensure sue* CBSS. “Group herd-testing has made mucs progress,” Mr, Dermer added, “and ini my opinion should be recognised. Testing generally has never been of so much importance as to-day, and in view of the practical certainty that the Herd Testing Federation will make it com* pulsory that a bull Shall be out of $ dam with a record before his daughter® are eligible for marking, it.will be absolutely necessary that any breeder wishing to sell his bulls have records with his cows. “Classification for type system, begun last year, has proved most successful, but the full benefit will not be fully realised until some years hence. The classifiers find little difficulty in establishing a basis upon which to work and the results give uniformity. I anticipate a large increase in the number of cowB brought forward this season, especially if fees are reduced. I consider this scheme one of the most important yet brought forward and, combined with $ systematic C.O.R. testing, will place u® right at the top of the tree with out ideal of high type and production.” The bull purchase scheme would M availed of by smaller breeders, Mr. Dermer hoped, because it was on sound lines and would result in much benefit to breeders where they could not afford to pay a top price for the animal they wished to secure. He looked forward to seeing great benefits result. Tn supplementing the president’s re* port the chairman, Mr. A. E. Missen. stated the balance-sheet disclosed that the association was in such a very sound position that it could support the .president in his suggestions. The appointment of a fields officer would be a move in the right direction for there was & vast field in New Zealand in which the Jersey breed could be developed. Southland and Otago were particularly suitable and he forecast that in. a few years, the breed would predominate in those provinces. He considered that the costs of administration of the association were exceedingly low for such an institution.

Mr. Missen regretted that more mem* bers of the association did not avail themselves of the opportunity of testing. It had been said the cost was prohibitive but he contended that with the subsidy paid by tlie association it. wag within reach of everyone. He believed the council would consider increasing the subsidy. . z ' “Whatever you do, test your cows,” he added. “The time is not. far dis* taut when dairy companies will refuseto finance pedigree bulls unless the dams of those bulls have butter-fat backing. Even now one Waikato dairy factory has adopted that system. The pedigree cow in 90 per cent, of cases will leave a great cow behind. Have every female tested and you will find it pays you.” . He also requested members to support the 305-day test to their utmost. In .. agreeing that there was much to be sard in favour of the classification bf stock Mr. Missen mentioned that the scheme was going to establish type. There had been many outstanding animals classified last year and he believed the number would he more than trebled thia year. It was well worth any breeders while to submit his stock for classification.