HOW THE COWS MILKED

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1931, Page 10

HOW THE COWS MILKED

“ROBBERS” AND “BOARDERS.” HERD TESTING REVELATIONS. The returns of herds under the 193031 membership of the South Taranaki Herd Testing Association must be of startling interest to the dairy farmers of the province, for, of the 7224 cows whose records appear under the group headings 13 per cent, had no right to a place in any herd and 7 per cent, have been costing actually more to milk than their mjlk has been worth. The association secretary, Mr. E. M. Bardsley, has shown in his returns the number of cows producing from under 501 b of butterfat up to 6501 b in steps of 501 b. .Thus: '

Up to 501 b, 8 cows; 50-100, 133; 100150, 174; 150-200, 442; 200-250, 1226; 250-300, 213 G; 300-350, 2098; 350-400, 772; 400-450, 175; 450-500, 30; 500-550, 19; -550-600, 8; 600-650, 3. The secretary points nut that, of the 7224 cows,. 465 were “robbers,” 496 were “boarders,” 3156 were fair average producers, 2870 produced from 300-4001 b of fat, and 237 produced over 4001 b. To both members of the association and other dairy farmers, Air. Bardsley states, these figures must bring home a fact long suspected, namely,, that even in .the most carefully selected herds there must be one or two “passengers.” Moreover, the very concise and clear manner in which this has been brought out by the figures of the association, emphasises another fact—herd testing as adopted by the association must certainly play a large part in the future of the dairy industry. As indicated in the other column, for ah average increase of 25)b of fat on the present average of 2751 b per cow, members would have received from their various factories, with butterfat at Is per lb, a total additional sum of over £9OOO.

EGMONT-WANGANUI HUNT.

GOOD RUN 'AT KAKARAMEA.

Although the morning was very wet a large crowd of followers assembled at “Castle Hill,” Kakaramea, on Saturday for the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt’s meet. This is always one of the most popular meets of the season and it takes more than a -wet morning to dampen the enthusiasm of hunting folk. A keen day’s sport was enjoyed, A large crowd of spectators arrived during, the afternoon, but unfortunately were able to see very little of the hunt, the paddocks being much too soft to motor through, and the runs led chiefly in the property nearest the beach and several miles, from the homestead. The fences were mostly boxthorn and had been well trimmed, a very large area of country being prepared for jumping. Horses again jumped well and riders had an enjoyable time. The first hare put up gave a very short run before breaking in the wrong direction, and then Huntsman Alyles took the pack across the road and shortly after a strong hare showed up, which gave a good run to the sandhills before hounds bowled her over in the tussocks. Hares were not very plentiful and only short runs were had until late in the afternoon, when, as usually happens if a hare is put up at this hour, a good long run was had, the hounds eventually being whipped out of the sandhill swamp and tussocks with some difficulty. Everyone was most hospitably entertained by the genial host and hostess, Air. and Airs. G. V. Pearce, and his two daughters, Mrs. Richardson and Airs. Searle, at the. conclusion of which thanks to all who di<i so much to entaintain the hunt were spoken by the blaster, Dr. Simmons. Air. Pearce responded, thanking the blaster for his remarks, saying he was pleased to see so many out although the, weather was not all that could be desired. He had entertained the club, for over thirty years, he said, and would still be pleased to welcome them to “Castle Hill” as well as his home at Waitotara for many more years to come. Among the riders were: ‘The Master, Dr. Sifurhons, on Bahrain; DeputyMaster', T. Lupton - , on Frosty; Deputyblaster E. Parson, on Moon; DeputyMaster E. Davidson, on Lorraine; Huntsmen Myles, on Bonny Flier; .Whip R. Watkins, on .Talkative; Whip-I. Parsons, on Rawhiti; Whip N. Parsons, on Pierrot; Whip S. Bcsley, on Four Roods; bliss B. Gibson, on bliss Opaku; bliss Al. Washer, on Alist; Aliss M. Brewer, on Oxertax; Miss P. Simmons, on Waihau; Miss Smitheram, on bay; Messrs. D. Lupton, on Brown; S. Train, on Black Eagle; J. Lupton, on Grey blare; L. Davidson, on Dinkuni; N. Davidson, on Charmaiue; S. Daiidson, on Ginger; C. Southcombe, on Kafour; W, Southcombe, Play Area; C. Pearce, on Sandy Acre; S'. Mcßae, on Suede; F. Train, on Rojid.-ileyo; E. Brewer, on Lady Acre; L. .Death, Gowqn Lea; E. Death, The Stoker; A. Alitchell, on Vaucluse; G. Grundlay, on Ce Advanceur; D. Kennedy, on Manakuri; Al. Wilson, on May Day; R. Simmons, on Rio Rita; K. Aiken, on San Fera; T. Alexander, on Desert Prince; J. Sheahan, on Wallace; G. Castles, on Puarata; D. Jackson, on Haeremai; W. Hunter, on Kaimai; K. Lethbridge, on Mussolini; Adlam, on chestnut; T. Sampson, on Karaka and others. 'The next hunt will be held at Mr. W McL’Dowie’s farm at Matapu. .. . ..