JERSEY BREEDERS CONFER

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1930, Page 3

JERSEY BREEDERS CONFER

PROGRESS OF ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL STATE SATISFACTORY. CLASSIFICATION AND TESTING. The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association was held at Hawera yesterday, Mr. A. E. Missen being appointed chairman in the absence of the president, Mr. C. G. C. Dernier, and vice-president, Mr. H. E. B. Watson. There were about 40 in attendance, including the following members of the council; —-Messrs R. J. Linn, G. H. Bell, E. D. McLennan, R. C. Leech and W. M. Tapp (secretary). The annual report of the council stated that the year ending April 20 had been one of the most progressive in the history of the association. The financial position was in a very satisfactory state. About 267 new members had been elected during the year, which brought the total membership to 1982. The registration department continued to show a steady increase. Animals to date registered totalled 106,626 (45,117 males and 61,509 females). During the year 10,627 animals had been transferred (5848 males and 4779 females). There had been an especially heavy increased demand for bulls with C.O.R. pedigrees. During 192'9 certificates had been gained by 367 cows under semi-official test. The average production had been 456.951 b butter-fat, which must be considered highly satisfactory. Of the 367 cows tested, 164 were junior two-year-olds. With a view to encouraging testing, the council had increased the subsidy for each 1001 b butter-fat over the minimum amount necessary to gain a first-class certificate from £1 Is to £1 10s and agreed to pay half of the fee (£4 4s) to members testing their firstcow, provided that at least 1001 b but-ter-fat over the minimum qualication was produced in each case. This year 256 cows owned by 122 members earned subsidies which amounted to £674 17s, while £63 was paid to 15 members testing their first cows. At the request of a large number, of members, the council approached the Dairy Division regarding the adoption of „ a 305-day test. The department was now drafting rules and regulations with a view to bringing it into effect for the coming season. Glassification of type had been brought • into operation during the year with most satisfactory results. A total of 282 cows had been submitted for classification, 16 had been awarded v.h.c., 11l li.c., and 142 c., .jthe balance being rejected. The balance-sheet disclosed assets amounting to £21,812. The liabilities were accumulated fund account £17,664, subscriptions £9O, with a.balance to the profit and loss account of £4057. Messrs G. H. Bell and R. J. Linn (Taranaki) and C. G. C. Denner (Maiiawatu) were re-elected unopposed members of the council.

The following motions proposed by Mr. J. Murray were defeated: —That the rate of interest charged for loans for the purchase of stud bulls be not more than 5 per cent.; that the council take steps to have all imported cattle examined on arrival in New Zealand, and any that do not conform to a high standard be refused registration or transfer.

In connection with the first it was the opinion of the meeting that it would be no advantage to the association as the bank rate of interest was computed quarterly, which amounted to practically t'he same sum as the suggested 5 per cent. It was thought that the adoption of the system would lend itself to abuse as probably financial breeders would avail themselves of the opportunity of purchasing animals at 5 per cent. The second motion was defeated mainly owing to the fact that council members considered it would be illegal.

A motion that the official list of judges should be revised and that stock agents should not be appointed as judges was also defeated, should associate itself with the Control It was resolved that the council Board and exporters with a view to having all restrictions removed on the importation of cereals and foods for feeding cattle. The council was recommended to consider the reduction of the fees in connection with the classification scheme by 50 per cent., cows securing the necessary qualifications to be the only ones charged for. The council was recommended to allot North and South Island male and female championships to A. and P. associations and to donate £26 5s for trophies. The council was instructed to approach the Department of Agriculture with a view to securing a reduction in the C.O.R. fees.