GROUP HERD-TESTING

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1934, Page 12

GROUP HERD-TESTING

ADDRESS BY MR. C. M. HUME. IMPORTANCE TO INDUSTRY. That group herd , testing was more necessary that top-dressing was the opinion expressed during an address on the subject given by Mr. C. M. Hume, organiser of the Dominion Federation .of th# Co-operative Herd-Testing Association, to a large gathering of farmers at Hillsborough last night. The address was given under the auspices of the branch of the Farmers’ Union.

Mr. H. C; Sorrenson, chairman of the branch, who presided, said it was time the farmer realised that he must, not place all his eggs in one basket. If by testing and concentrating on the high producers 10 cows could be made to produce what twelve were producing at present, the land utilised by those two cows could be utilised by pigs, sheep, or something ’ else. Mr. G. H. Bell, president of the Taranaki Group Herd-Testing Association, said that while progress had been made in herd-testing in Taranaki it was still very disappointing that there had not been a greater advance. If there was over-production, which he questioned, it was still just as necessary to know, definitely the individual production of the cows so that the non-payable ones coiild be replaced. He recognised that, farmers were “up against it” during the present low prices, but he considered. they would find it better to adopt herd-test-ing, rather than spend money on topdressing. What was the advantage of. growing more grass if it was intended to keep non-paying cows? It was his intention to speak straight from the shoulder as the time had passed when his statements should be wrapped up in tissue paper, said Mr. Hume. During the past ten years considerable discussion had taken place on various marketing problems. If the same thought had been put into making production more profitable he thought that to-day the bulk of the dairy farmers would have been prodiicing butterfat at 8d per pound, which would have largely solved their problems. Factory directors were not supporting herd-test-ing as they should. There was nothing experimental about herd-testing, as the Danes had thoroughly tried it. The dairy industry was one that the Dominion could not do without, and those interested must get it on a basis whereby they might be able to make a little profit. New Zealand produced not more than 4 per cent, of the butter and 3| per cent, of the cheese of the world, yet despite that she was the largest exporter of cheese in the world and the second largest exporter of butter. It seemed ridiculous that a country P ro * ducing such a small percentage, should have to consider restriction. The dairy farmer could do much to improve the position so that he would be ready to take advantage of any improvement in world conditions. Mr. Hume explained briefly the calfmarking and the certified bull schemes. He said it was possible to change a scrub herd to a butterfat-backed herd in three years. The farmer’s budget should provide for testing fees. In proposing a vote of thanks the chairman said he agreed that testing by individuals did not get as far as group herd-testing. He had thought at the outset that in aiming at an average of 3001 b of fat the New Zealand Federation was aiming too high, but he now believed it could be achieved if the farmers were prepared to pull their weight. New Zealand could surely do what Denmark had done by means of co-operation.