Herd-Testing in Ireland.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1935, Page 12 (Supplement)

Herd-Testing in Ireland.

If is interesting to note the herdtesting statistics of 198 Irish herd-testing associations. Almost 6 per cent, of the cows on test gave yields between 300 and 400 gallons; in other words, 19 per cent, of the cows with the most progressive farmers (i.e., those who tested) were simply “lodgers” that did not pay for their food. It would be quite safe to say that at least one cow in every four with Irish farmers is not paying for food consumed. In Ireland there has been an

increase in cow population of 85,000 cows since 1925. This means a big addition to its lodger cows. The 198 associations had 47,731 cows on test, of which 40,384 completed their milking periods. The average yield for this number was 54721 b of milk and 201 b of butterfat.

Preparing for Lucerne. One of the speakers at the recent meeting of sheep-breeders at Massey College emphasised, when discussing the sowing of lucerne, the possible - dangers arising from giving land two deep plougthings prior to sowing. Ah he pointed out, the surface layers of old pasture usually contain a large number of weed seeds which are buried in the first ploughing and are brought to the surface once again with the second turning, Lucerne is a crop which at al stages in life is not suited to, intensive weed competition, and such methods of ploughing start the young crop off at a decided disadvantage. If the second deep ploughing is substituted by a skim ploughing, then the risk of weed competition is considerably reduced. A method of ploughing which will often provide a quite satisfactory seed bed is to give a skim ploughing followed by a discing well ahead of sowing, this pulverising the surface soil, which is later turned down by a deep ploughting. With such cultivation, however, it is advisable to use a skimmer attachment, as this places the surface soil well underneath. ■ To Visit America.

Mr. C. E. Robertson, manager of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Company’s stud stock and bloodstock department, is departing for North America to investigate the possibilities of the export. trade in the United States and Canada for the Dominion’s stud sheep and thoroughbred horses, which have already found a small outlet there. Mr. Robertson will take the opportunity of attending the leading shows and stock exhibitions of both countries and hopes to gain first-hand knowledge of the present-day position of the best beef cattle studs and herds of the leading dairy breeds. Mr. Robertson is accepting commissions to purchase sires of various breeds, which he will personally select In addition to acting for some, of the leading breeders in the Dominion who wish to import fresh blood, Mr. Robertson has also been asked to make selections and purchases on behalf of breeders in New South Wales and Victoria.