MORE COWS NEEDED

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1935, Page 16

MORE COWS NEEDED

HERD TESTING DIFFICULTIES. ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. The necessity for either a greater number of cows to be tested or a larger service fee was commented on by the auditor,, Mr. A. K. Fyson, in his report to the annual meeting of the South Taranaki Herd Testing Association yesterday. Mr. W. H. Reynolds presided over a small attendance. It was mentioned in a discussion op.the question that a loss of £135 was shown in the working account for last year. No action was taken. With the great achievement of a Dominion record of 3091 b of butter-fat last season the executive was hopeful of an increased number of cows under test this season, said the report. This hope was not realised and in common with most other associations the numbers had decreased. However, many farmers were definitely realising that with lower prices for dairy produce they could not afford not to test. From a testing point of view the season had proved very unusual. The very dry summer caused production to fall considerably, and if the autumn had not been excellent and flowed a long milking season production generally would have been lower than for many years past. Even so, production as a whole was down on records of the past few seasons. That applied particularly to the plain and coastal areas; Ararata, Ohangai and similar inland districts experienced no dry spell and a season of high production resulted. The late autumn milking had had a severe effect on finances, for whereas normally only about 10 per cent, of herds had a teijth test, this season the

number increased to 85 per cent, calling for greater expenditure in wages, travelling allowances and materials. After the record of last season the executive felt justified in budgeting on at least 8000 cows under test, and as the number was under 6500 it also had its effect on income. Another factor was that the average size of the herds tester, had increased, thus reducing the income per cow. Very little extra expenditure would have bpen necessary to hgve tested >. further 2000 cows and to thus receive an additional income of £350. Expenses could not decrease in proportion to cows tested. While the working account showed a loss of £135 this could not be taken as a loss over the season under review, as heavy writing off of debts and depreciation was considered advisable. The loss on the past season was about £3O and only the strictest of economy in all departments had made this possible. Considering all circumstances the working account was a tribute to th' ability of the staff in its efforts to give a testing service second to none at a cost which could be increased slightly and ri:ill compare more than favourably with the average Dominion charge. Lack of feed at calf-selling time had a depressing effect on sales, so much so that it was found advisable to drop the annual calf fair. This was unfortunate for many members, but notwithstanding the conditions many private' sales took place at prices which proved that ■•even in a bad feed season the marked calf ,was still a paying proposition. At time of writing there was a great demand for marked quality stock and it was unfortunate for vendors that very few animals were available. No herd testing association could guarantee its records as absolutely accurate. There were too many circumstances outside the control of the association, which caused production variation, to have testing records always on a par with factory returns. That they were on a par in the great majority of cases was, however, a proved fact and at all times association records were a sound indication for breeding and culling purposes. Even where variation between association and factory occurred the records of individual cows in a herd were in accurate comparison with the other cows in such herd. The onus of accurate records was on the member and the whole of the testing operation could be regularly checked by the member. In all cases the testing officer’s figures were correct, based on the samples with which he was supplied. Notwithstanding the fact that the average fat production was down by 201 b on the last season’s Dominion record, in view of the season the association could be justly proud of its 1934-35 average of 2901 b fat. A feature of the returns was the fact that 70 per cent of the herds lay between 250 and 3251 b in fat production and between 5500 and 70001 b milk production; there were few particularly high or low averages. Reference to the service of Mr. S. C. Tonks as chairman of the association since its foundation was recorded, and regret that he could not see his way dear to continue in office was expressed. The returns and balance-sheet showed that the work of the supervising secretary was also deserving of credit. During the past few years the office work was trebled and in Mr. Bardsley the association had a secretary whose work was recognised over a wide area. The working account showed the expenses per cow to be 48.4 d, the income being 43.3 d. The excess of expenditure over income totalled £134 14s 3d. Mr. A. K. Fyson was reappointed auditor at the same remuneration as test year. . , The secretary reported that pig rec ?*~- ing services were available to members it small charge.