TESTING DAIRY CATTLE

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1935, Page 15 (Supplement)

TESTING DAIRY CATTLE

SOUTH TARANAKI RETURNS ADVANTAGE OF PUREBRED SIRES. MANY OF COWS STILI> “BOARDERS.” The results of the testing operations of the South Taranaki Herd Testing Association are given below in a comprehensive set of tables and records compiled by the secretary, Mr. E. M. Bardsley. Notwithstanding the fact that the association average butterfat production is lower this season by 201 b than last season’s Dominion record average, it is

considered by Mr. Bardsley that 2901 b fat average for 6419 cows is very creditable when the season is taken into consideration. Two groups have averaged over 3001 b fat, namely the Kaponga-Manga-toki-Matapu group, 3031 b from 1185 cows; and the Normanby-Tokaora-Hawera group, 3021 b from 1099 cows. It is interesting to note that these two groups show the highest percentage of purebred sires in use. The Kaponga group has 100 per cent, purebred sires and the Normanby group 94 per cent. At the other end of the scale is the Manutahi-Mokoia-Whakamara group; 2751 b fat from 1207 cows and only 51 per cent, purebred sires. The fact that the P er " centage of purebred sires is in direct ratio to the fat production may be a coincidence but as the records are spread over 106 herds in a wide district the v. eight of evidence is against such theory of concidence. . A study of individual herd averages shows an all round drop in production and any herds which show an increase are in those districts which did not ex-

perience the dry summer or are herds which have previously had a low average and therefore allow, greater' scope for improvement, even in a poor season. Rather striking is the fact that 70 per cent, of herds show a milk production of between 5500 and 70001 b and a fat production of between 250 and 3251 b—there are not a great number of very high or very low herd averages. HIGHEST HERD AVERAGE. , 1 . The highest herd average is that of No. 2 herd of Mr. Fred Hoskin, Matapu with 385.81 b fat and the same breeder’s No. 1 herd fills second place. The next three herds are always very consistent performers—Messrs. R. E. Harrison, W. F. Lyndon and H. E. Johnson, in that order. To Mr’. H. L. Glover, Mangatoki goes the honour of the highest fat producer with 6141 b and the highest milk producer with 13,4101 b. is from the herd of Mr. H. E. Johnson. An analysis of the records of individual cows shows the secret of many low herd I

averages. Eleven per cent, of the cows tested produced under 2001 b fatabsolute “robbers.” Without these cows the association average would have been 3081 b rather than 2901 b as now but a greater result would have been much financial benefit for the culling of such cows, even without replacement, would certainly havs brought about increased net income. ' '

This, Mr. Bardsley points out, is where the marked calf can do the greatest good if the position could be accurately surveyed—as it can be ( wh en consistent testing is the practice. Unfortunately 11 per cent, robbers is not the end of the sorry story. Depending on general overhead expenses, it can be taken that the average Taranaki cow must produce oyer 2601 b fat before she can be classed as a profit earner—some place the figure higher. It is therefore disconcerting to find that 34 per cent, of the cows under group test in South Taranaki are not ,up to the profit earning standard—one-third are merely “boarders,” if not worse, ample justification

surely for that portion of the Dairy Commission’s report which states “Herd Testing . . . is the basis of constructive cow selection and herd replacement . . It is, therefore a movement which is worthy of the greatest commendation,” adds Mr. Bardsley.