HERD TESTING

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1931, Page 10

HERD TESTING

VALUE TO NEW ZEALAND GROUP FEDERATION MEETS [ASSISTANCE TO BE SOUGHT SPREAD OF THE MOVEMENT As, faifeaa the public meetings are concerned, dairy week was opened in New ;'Piyin.outh yesterday • by. the .fifth annual meeting of the Dominion Group Herd-Testing Federation. Mr. Dynes Fultdn/ (New Zealand Co-operative Herd-Testing Association) presided over’ delegates .representing associations from all parte of the Dominion. Visitors to the meeting included: Mr. W. A. lorns (chairman of the New. Zealand Dairy Produce' Board), Professor W. Riddet (Maisey College), Mr. W. M. Singleton (Director of the Dairy Division), Mr. Dunlop. (South’lsland representative on the Produce Board) and Mr. T. Brash (secretary of the board). ■The annual report set out the. progress made by the movement. It was started on July 12, 1926, said the report. The following figures included adjustments: —

Continuing, the report said: —“It is indeed pleasing to note the additions to our membership since the last annual meeting. To the Marlborough, West Coast, Buller and Karamca Associations I extend a hearty welcome. I can assure them that the adoption of group testing and calf marking will prove the forerunner to- better management of ( their dairy herds, and, in addition, will result in a steadily increasing average per cow and per acre in their districts. A welcome is also extended to the Gol-den-Bay Association, which linked with the federation after the last annual report was prepared. We now have seven affiliated associations in the South Island as against two at this time last year. The “group” cows tested by them this, season total 18,312 as against 11,810 during the previous season. The levies amount to £471 10s 9d as against ] £4Bl 9s 7d the previous season. A larger ’ number of cows has been under test, • but the levy this year has 'been col- I lected on cows tested under the group ’ system. only. ' VALUE TO THE FARMERS. /In view of the fact that even at the commencement of the season a fall in price of' butter-fat was apparent, it is j pleasing to note that associations gen- ; erally have been able to hold their posi- ; tion.. The slump in 1921-22 was respon- . sible for the formation of the group ] herd-testing movement, and the present lbw prices, together with the immediate ■ prospect of moderate prices only, should give a fresh impetus to the further development of this vital adjunct to ; dairy farm management. We should take a lesson from our chief competitor, Denmark, where at least 33 1-3 per cent, of the cows ar. under test each year. They have concentrated on herd testing and that factor is largely responsible for their average, over all , cows, of 2701 b, In this Dominion not more than 20 per cent, of the cows are under test, with an average, over ill cows, of 2201 b. Quite a large proportion of the dairy farmers in the Dominion to-day can produce profitably iat Is per lb. Their average, however, te hot 2201 b, but over 3001 b. “It must be obvious, therefore, that 'were it not for the benefits of group herd testing up to the present time thousands of our dairy farmers could hot have carried on during this present time of low prices and depression. What ihas been done by many can 'be done by practically all. Land described as second class, and much regarded as worthless a few years ago, has, with the aid iof fertilisers, been turned into profitable dairy farms. The Dominion is dependent bn a prosperous dairying industry. The two vital factors in attaining that objective are herd-testing and top-dressing. . “I .wish to draw attention to the splendid work 'ming done at Palmerston North by the Department of Agriculture, The plant research station in certifying grass seeds is conferring a great benefit on the farmers. The work, added to pasture management and rotational grazing so ably set out by Dr. Annett in his lectures throughout the Dominion, opens up the possibilities of a production per cow and per acre undreamt of seven years ago. The Massey Agricultural College also provides a long-felt want for the tuition of young men anxious to take up herd testing work. The training there is invaluable to them when starting on a group. I anticipate that an increasing number of farmers’ sons will take up this work. The wide experience gained •will be invaluable to them on their return to dairy farming. INCREASING PRODUCTION. "There is now a number of forces ■working on the question of production. I like to' see those forces coordinated so that a uniform system of grassland dairy farming could be advanced embracing the absolute necessities to bring about the best results in the shortest space of time. With this in mind, the herd testing central (executive decided that the supervisor, at his meetings this winter, should use k lantern to assist his addresses, and that he should speak on dairy farm management generally instead . of confining. his remarks to herd testing. He has been supplied with slides by the Department of Agriculture, _ Massey Agricultural -College and the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board, and with some very effective slides on herd testing his addresses should prove really helpful to dairy farmers generally. “The herd testing central executive has held three meetings during the year and has kept in close touch with the work of the supervisor. It has given most careful consideration to the method of allocation of the Government subsidy for the present season. Following on the recommendation from the last annual meeting of the council, ‘that any future subsidy should be used for general development work rather than returning it to members of individual associations,’ the central executive has adopted that idea, and all herd testing organisations have been advised accordingly. The central (executive will not finalise on this year’s subsidy of £BOOO until probably August. “Realising that cost is a vital factor in the herd testing work, I have as the president left no stone unturned in my endeavour to ease the position for next season. I trust that it may yet be possible to get assistance to help the farmers durihg the piAfexit depresmaG-

I desire to acknowledge on behalf of the herd testing movement the very valuable assistance rendered by the Department of Agriculture since the inauguration of group herd testing. The balance-sheet disclosed that the accumulated funds had increased since May 15,' 1930, from £505 17s 3d to £775 Ils did. Tn moving the adoption of. the report and balance sheet the chairman said it was hardly necessary to remind them of the very serious economic conditions that had been developing in the Dominion since the last. annual meeting. In this respect the herd testing movement, in common with other branches of the industry, had suffered a setback. It would be very difficult to hold the testing movement to its position in the ensiling two years, not' because farmers did not want to test but because of the fact that they would find it difficult to obtain money and might consider they should curtail expenditure. He was very pleased to see present Messrs. Iqrns, Dunlop and T. Brash and Professor W. Riddet because he proposed to ask the Dairy Board to assist the federation over the period of depression. A NATIONAL WORK. The movement had reached the position of a national work. “I am going to say,” continued the chairman, “that if one-twentieth of the money spent on education in • this -country over the last 10 years had been spent on assisting the primary producer the Dominion would h:ve been in a better position than it is in to-day.” He believed they would pull through, he said, because they were a nation that did not know defeat and fought best with their backs to the wall. But they must do more for the people on the land, open up more undeveloped land and assist the young people to develop it. They should assist the primary industry that was giving the greatest return, to the country at the present time. Over the past 10 years many thousands of pounds had been spent on education, but unfortunately a great deal of this education had been wasted on young men. and women educated for positions they were entirely unfit for; these positions were not available today and the aspirants were in consequence filling the ranks of the unemployed. Unemployment was the most serious problem that faced New Zealand at present, more serious than most people realised. Because the prices received for produce were so low they must concentrate on the product that would give them most for their labours. They were burdened with very heavy taxation resulting from the Great War and, though they would undertaken again a war to preserve their liberty, none-the-less . the burden fell very heavily on those in a position to meet the liability. It was essential, therefore, that the industry showing the greatest returns should be fostered as far as possible, so that the members would be in a position to meet the liability and to help those out of work through no fault of their own. When he asked the National Dairy Association conference next Friday to give the movement its support ,he felt certain the delegates would give the matter very serious consideration, because if the federation under the group system received a setback this year and he was- afraid it would —it would take a long time to work it up again. He knew it would be difficult for the board to raise the money and it might even mean raising the levy —and as a farmer he realised that would not be popularhut it might well be asked, if assistance were not forthcoming, what would be the position in 1931-32? Of course legislation would be needed . He suggested it would be better for the board to take a sum out of the levy to help increase the Dominion s output than it would be, under present conditions, to spend it on advertising in London,. He took second place to no one in realising the value of advertising in London. The Empire Marketing Board was doing wonderful work in that connection. But the advertising of’ New Zealand produce was a, national work as well as one for the Dairy Board, and he asked the board if it would not be better for it to assist the group testing movement here, thus supporting their own people and helping them to meet the burden of taxation. New Zealand was a producing country and would continue to rely on its primary exports for many years, and it must therefore concentrate its efforts on developing primary industry. NEED FOR ASSISTANCE. In view of the economic position that had arisen—and, though he would like to, he could not at present see anything on the horizon that would make the position any better next year—the necessity to assist the industry was very strong. " A delegate: What about meutt Mr. Fulton said he could not see that any temporary rise in butter, cheese, or meat could bo taken as an indication of permanent improvement. To meet the lower prices they must lower the cost of manufacture and increase the production per acre. He did not want to be pessimistic, but the country must adapt itself to new conditions. The surest ways of increasing production were, firstly to keep only the best-producing cows —and they could only be found, by testing—and, secondly, the liberal use of fertilisers and the determination of what manures were most suitable for the land upon which the farmer was working. It behoved everyone in the industry and the people of the Dominion as a whole to realise that if the industry that - was winning from the soil the wherewithal to carry on and bear the burdens of taxation it must receive assistance. He desired to thank Mr. Singleton of the Dairy Division, and Dr. C. J. Reakes, for their assistance to the group testing movement. Since its inauguration they had worked assiduously for its success and as members of the central executive their advice had always been of much value. As farmers they were too prone to criticise the Department of Agriculture, but he had no hesitation in saying the assistance received last year by the federation had been 100 per cent, in value. Mr. G. H. Bell (Oakura) seconded the motion for adoption. In answer' to a question, the secretary said that as far as the federation was concerned the number of cows on which levies were paid this year under the group system was 226,340, compared with 224,000 last year. Therefore the federation was so far just a little more than holding its position compared with last year. He imagined there had been a slight falling off in the position outside the federation. Last year 283,000’ cows were under test throughout the Dominion, 41,000 of them being under the association system. Mr. Tremaine (Whangarci) hoped the chairman’s remarks concerning assistance from the Control Board would be fruitful. Mr. Singleton congratulated the delegates on maintaining through the difficult season the amount of herd-testing disclosed in the report. Ho knew it was realised how valuable testing was. About 94 per cent, of" New Zealand’s products came from the land. The dairy industry was holding the fort and it was of vital importance to help that industry and lower costs. He stressed the importance of treating the cow as an individual unit and of seeing that it was producing to the best effect. He could assure the federation of 'he support of lus departxjjeriL

. MR. JOHNS DESIRES TO HELP. Mr. W. A. lorns, chairman of the Dairy Board, said he could not speak for the board, but for himself he promised to give every help in hie power to the herd-testing movement. He realised that in this year of acute depression something would have to be done to keep herd-testing going. If they let it slip back they would be in a very awkward position. Notwithstanding the price ruling to-day, herd testing had done a great deal to assist the industry,. Jt was necessary to see that every acre should produce more; that was the ciux pf the position. The duty of the board, was to assist the industry in the direction of testing, though he could not say he agreed with the chairman that it should reduce expenditure on advertising. He yvould say, however, that he would do his best to further herd testing without jeopardising the industry as a whole. Mr. E. Griffiths (New Plymouth)- said (hat as one of the oldest testers he desired to augment the chairman’s remarks. There was ho question that while the Government had its duties regarding education, etc., it had to be realised that the greatest need of the Dominion to-day was money, and the only way they could get that was by Selling their exported produce. Refernng to the benefits derivable from testing he said there were two main factors: (1) That it cast out the robber cow; (2) that it went even further by showing the farmer how to go on improving his herd. This led naturally to healthy rivalry and better feeding. - ' ; The report and balance-sheet were adopted. OFFICERS APPOINTED. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. Dynes Fulton; management committee, Messrs. Fulton (Hamilton), G. R. Herron (Pukerau, Southland), J. Parlane (Christchurch), G. H, Bell (Oakura), Dougal (Glengarry, Dannevirke), P. W. Hill (Dargaville), W. J. Law (Bay of Plenty); representatives on the central executive, Messrs. Fulton, Herron, Bell and Hill; auditor, Mr. G. S. Crimp, A.P.A., N.Z., Hamilton. Mr. C. M. Hume (secretary to the federation) said that at the last annual meeting it was decided that calf identification in future should be by ear tag, and that the tattooing, was to be used solely for registration purposes. Experience had since shown that the car tags in many instances had proved most unsatisfactory. It was therefore decided to revert to the previous method, and that the identification number bo tattooed- in the calf’s right ear, the number used to be the testing number of the calf’s dam, together with the letter indicating the season of its birth. It was agreed that the cut up in the dewlap should be tried out by each association, and that the results be reported at the next annual meeting. It was decided that the Department of Agriculture be requested to reserve meantime the cut up in the dewlap for the federation. REMITS CONSIDERED. The first remit considered was the following from the Bay of Islands HordTesting Association: That the closing date for the marking, of the past seasons calves be 305 clays from the close of that season. This was moved by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. P. W. Hill (Northern Wairoa). The secretary said all the entries each year had to be in by the end of October. This was Io assist the associations with the members who were holding up declaration forms. It was wrong to think that under no circumstances would the federation accept forms after the end of October. The register never closed. The federation only circularised the associations so that they would have a lever that would assist them in getting members to forward registrations. He suggested the remit should be withdrawn. As there would be no need to apply for extension of time, and in view of Mr. Hume’s explanation, Mr.. Brown said he would withdraw the remit. Patea sent the following recommendation : That in all cases where cows only just qualify (do not exceed 3051 b. of fat) in any year to have their calves marked it shall be necessary for such cows to undergo a second year’s test. Mr. F. Parsons said the remit was dpsigned to assist the calf-marking movement. A number of cows showing 3001bs. of fat were really not up to the standard of 3001bs. Too' many calves were going out from feehe cows. Mr. W. J. Law (Bay of Plenty) seconded, pro forma. ■ Mr. " Bell considered the certificate of calf-marking amply provided for the call from, a cow that had reached 3001bs. one year and failed standard, He appreciated the motive behind the remit, however. . Mr. Hume said the heifer calf certificate was designed to protect the buyer; all the information available was put on the certificate, which gave full protection against the point raised by Patea. Mr. Law advised keeping to the present system as all districts were not alike. The remit was lost. The New Zealand Co-operative Association sponsored the remit: That the following proviso be added to rule 3 (a) of circular 64 with reference to calf marking: “Except in the case of pedigree calves that will not require to. be marked, provided the same are individually indentifiable in accordance with the rules of the breed society concerned.” The present rule was: “No calf shall be marked for any member unless he agrees to mark all eligible calves from his herd that season.” The remit was moved by the chairman and explained by Mr. S. J. Sheaf, general manager of the N.Z. Co-operative HerdTesting Association. It was designed, said the latter, to exempt pedigree calves identifiable by a pedigree society. That was only reasonable. The remit was carried. The New Zealand Co-operative HerdTesting Association moved: “That on and after August 1, 1931, any calves over the age of six weeks at the first or later visit of the testing officer and that are permanently transferred from the farm on which they were born shall immediately cease to be eligible for registration under the rules of the Dominion Group Herd-Testing Federation.” Explaining this remit Mr. Sheaf contended it had now become necessary for the federation to decide whether it would mark calves after they had been permanently transferred from the farm on which they were born. The chairman said this was an important matter. The secretary said the contention was that calves should be marked before transference so that associations would be practically certain the right animals were marked. Mr. Sheaf said there was a grave danger at present that calves tattooed for idea tifica'.ion only would be sold as marked calves. Another danger was that calves might be sold from dams that had not yet qualified but that might or might not qualify during the season. It was much better to have a rule too strict rather than allow any danger to creep in regarding the calfmarkiiig system. . The chairman said the greatest difficulty lay in cases where cqlvcs were sold before birth and at the drop. If these calves were taken away before marking it opened up the way lor substitution. They wanted to keep the system free from any possibility of abuse. Answering Mr. Purlane, the secretary said the position of grades was very different from that of pedigrees. The rule would not apply to pedigree calves. Eventually it was decided to carry the remit amended as follows: That on and after August 1, 1931, any calves that are permanently trans I erred from Liu farm bn which they were born

shall, unless marked for registration, immediately cease to be eligible for registration under the rules of the Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation. PERIOD OF TESTING. On. behalf of the Wairarapa Association, it was moved by Mr. L. R. Wilton: That clause 7c of circular 72 (butter-fat backing of pedigree bulls) bo altered to read: No production for a first period shall be carried back more than 45 days from the first of the month in which test., is taken. The present rule reads: No production for a first period shall be carried back more than GO days from the first period ending date. It was urged that this would encourage farmers who had good pedigree, cows to arrange with their local association for winter testing, and would, in consequence, give practically complete figures for their pedigree cows; Mr. Hume said the remit had been very carefully investigated by the main agenient committee and though they realised the present rule of going back 60 days inflicted a hardship on the man who tested at the end of the month, still they felt they could not. adopt the Wairarapa remit, the principle of which had also been considered last ybar. It was realised the end of month men -re not on a par with the others, but to put them on a par would raise more difficulties than at present. • Mr. Sheaf opposed the remit. He considered they should keep the pedigree bull scheme absolutely free from criticism. The remit was lost. Mr. Humphrey moved that the executive feels that no good can come of keeping a separate record of all stud cows and that only separate records of cows that have qualified be kept. Mr. Hume said the management committee In dealing with the remit had thought the scheme should be on the same footing as the calf-marking scheme, showing the good as well as the bad. records, with all the cards turned upon the table. If the remit were designed to save clerical work, the committee would be prepared to accept, for cows that had not reached the standard, the particulars of total butter-fat and days, without the production figures month by month. He pointed out that it was the federation members themselves who had asked for this scheme and they were now responsible for carrying* it through. It was a responsible matter and hud to be handled wisely. He considered it would be most uuwise for associations to fail to send in all their pedigree group records at the end of each season. The remit was lost. The following remit was moved by the chairman and seconded by Mr. Hill: That Rule 28 of the uniform rules issued by the Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation be deleted and the following rule substituted: In the case of a cow having a portion of two lactation periods in ono testing season, the herd average shall be credited with the amount of butter-fat produced between June 1 and drying-off date and from recalying date until May 31 following, provided that cow is tested in August or on the first testing visit thereafter in the new season prior to re-calving date. The point of the remit, said Mr. Sheaf, was that unless a cow was tested in August or during the first testing visit in the new season the fat put up in June or July would not be credited to the herd average. The remit gave June or July fat to genuine strippers.. The operation of the remit would facilitate office work in herditesting associations and would save duplication of testing figures. Mr. W. H. Gimblett (Manawatu) moved and Mr. Bell seconded an addition to the remit: “This rule not to apply to those districts' that adopt all-the-year-round testing.” 'With this amendment the remit was carried. AMENDMENT OF RULES. The following three remits were then approved, the secretary pointing out that the uniform rules were for the guidance, of associations and not obligatory: — 1. That Rule 19 (b) (c) and (d) of the uniform rules be deleted and the following rules substituted in lieu thereof: “(b) In the event of fee test of a cow for a 30-dey period exceeding by 331-3 per cent, both of the'two previous tests, pn association shall withdraw figures already credited and substitute a figure obtained by averaging the. tests of the preceding and succeeding periods.” (Note: In the event of the test for the second period being abnormal, the preceding test only shall be considered). 2. In the event of the test of a cow for a 30-day period decreasing by 33 1-3 per cent, or more from both of the two previous tests, the owner may appeal to tlie association for a review of such figures and the association -shall withdraw the figures already credited and substitute a figure based on the average ot the tests of the preceding and succeeding periods. (Note: In the event of the test for the second period being subnormal, the preceding test only shall be considered). 3. No averaging shall be done, however, in the case of 19b or 19c above where the test for the period under review is confirmed by the test for either of the two periods immediately succeeding. For general purposes the test shall be considered to have been confirmed when the test for cither of the tw periods immediately succeeding is within 10 per cent, of that for the period under review. The following remit from New Zealand Cop-op. Herd Testing Association was carried without comment: That the federation supply gratis to all affiliated herd-testing associations printed copies of all federation rules affecting members of affiliated associations for distribution among the individual members of such associations. For the Wairarapa association Mr. Wilton moved: That this federated association, realising that the sole purpose of herd-testing is the improvement of the individual herd, deplores the everincreasing demands by tho Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation for record keeping of an unessential nature, embodying increased clerical labour and expense without corresponding, advantage to the increase of production, and recommends that the required statistical information be reduced to the absolute minimum. Mr. Wilton said the remit was selfexplanatory. On the one hand they were asked to cut down costs by 10 per cent, and on the other to provide details of all registered purebred cows under test. Replying to Mr. Humphrey, Mr. Hume said he realised they had to keep the work down. “But,” he added, “if we are going to do the job' at all let us do it thoroughly. You can rest assured I don’t want to overload.” He mentioned that the work concerned with calf-marking -had been halved. The filling in of the disease form was not compulsory. If the Wairarapa people were up against it it was for their management committee to decide whether the members there should give the information. . It was no good putting schemes on their books and then failing to carry them through. Ho was always ready to accept suggestions. Tn opposing Mr. Bardsley (Hawera) said the secretaries had to do far less work than formerly. He instanced the saving made by dropping, the decimals in the calculations. Tn reply to the chairman, Mr. Wilton said the matter had been raised so that the meeting might discuss it. He was content, to leave it at that. The remit was not put to the meeting. Mr. Hugis retpiuded delseates feht tfes

marked bull scheme ceased automatically on July 1, its place having been taken by the new certificated bull scheme, which provided that all pedigree bulls born on or after July 1, 1931, must have butter-fat backing. Otherwise heifer , calves from such bulls would not be marked in the heifer calf marking scheme. ' He mentioned it was a recommendation from the management committee that all G.O.R. records be accepted for the certification of pedigree bulls. In accepting these records recognition would be given two-year-olds that had reached 2401b5. of fat iii 365 days. This was lower than the standard for their grade cows. It would apply to very few cows because most of them put up more than 2401b5. The management committee recognised that all schemes had to have a beginning and that it was only right that they should recognise Government records of the past. Mr. Sheaf raised the question as to the possibility of the federation recognising the figures recorded under the “alternate” system.. He contended that some members had carried on with that system during the past year without having been notified that the records would not be acceptable for certification of pedigree bulls. Mr. Hume said every association was notified at the time. He had been very careful to do so. It was considered it would be most inadvisable to accept - any records put up under the “alternative” system. The discussion was not pursued. It was decided that the levy for the ensuing season should be on the basis of last season—Jd a cow for all cows charged for which were tested under the group Syfit EDI • It was decided to hold the next annual meeting of the federation the day before the opening of the next National Dairy Association conference and in the same town. Mr. Humphrey suggested the federation should let it be known that it was out to increase production as well as butter-fat. He mentioned the controversy over the productions of different breeds. . Mr. H. Baily (Taranaki association) did not agree with Mr. Humphrey. The figures for the Taranaki association showed that the highest producers of fat were also the highest producers of milk, he said. The two highest herds in the association were both Jerseys. One gave 71001bs. of fat and the other 74001b5. Mr. Tunnicliffe (Kakaramea, West Coast) expressed appreciation of the work of Mr. Hume when he visited tho South Island. He was an enthusiast and got far more results than another man would Mr. Martin (Westport) endorsed these remarks and they were supported by delegates. “The Government did one of its best things when it placed Mr. Hume in his present position,” said one of them. In returning thanks Mr. Hume said he looked to the day, which he was sure would come, when the Dominion would arrive at the objective of a 3001bs. average for its cows. ' . Mr. Bell invited delegates to inspect Mr. Baily’s method of recording milk weights. He hoped also that they would visit some of Taranaki’s herds, which had achieved remarkable results. Mr. Hume paid a tribute to Mr. Bailys work. He had never thought he would see such complete data, he said. Mr. Baily’s records of milk as well as fat hqd made possible absolutely complete -herd-testing data. They were a credit to him. Votes of thanks were passed to the management committee, to the Press, the chairman, the secretary and the Challenge Phosphate Company 'for supplying free shed After the luncheon adjournment the delegates had a group photograph taken and during the afternoon tea. was provided by the Taranaki Co-operative Herd-Testing Association, which, was accorded a vote of thanks.

Group Assn. Total Season A sens cows cows 'levy £ s. d. 1926-27 8 88,549 —■ i —• 184 9 11 1927-28 12 122.613 ■■■'■ ■ 255. 8 11 1928-29 21 193,762 5661 41'5 9 2 1929-30 22 224,1706939 481 9 7 1930-31 26 226,340 5674 471 10 9