HERD TESTING

Wairarapa Age, 15 August 1928, Page 5

HERD TESTING

ACTIVITIES IN THE LOWER VALLEY. OFFICIAL CALF MARKING ADOPTED. ADDRESS BY MR. C. M. HUME AT FEATHERSTON. Meetings of dairy farmers at Featherston and Martinborough have adopted the official calf marking scheme of the New Zealand Herd Testing Federation. At Featherston yesterday, Mr. C. M. Hume, General Manager of the Federation, addressed a gathering of about forty dairy farmers. Mr. Hume, who spoke of herd testing and calf marking on the lines of his recent addresses in this part of the district, was listened to with the closest interest and attention, and the Featherston group subsequently adopted official calf marking. At the first annual meeting of the Featherston group yesterday, it was reported that out of 1661 cows tested last year, 1539 qualified for the Government subsidy. The average cost of testing worked out at about 4s. 3d. per cow, exclusive of the Government subsidy. The highest average test for one herd was 3621 b of butterfat.

It was anticipated that about the same number of cows would be under test next year—probably more. Messrs H. J. Hutchings, G. Yule and E. E. O’Neale were appointed delegates to the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Association. MARTINBOROUGH GROUP.

The Martinborough group, at its last meeting, also adopted official calf marking for the 1928-29 season. Some discussion took place on a suggestion by Mr. Hume regarding the testing of late-calving cows. Pointing out that cows which calved from February onward did not qualify for the Government subsidy, Mr. Hume stated that in the Waikato they did not charge for the testing of these cows. It was decided to recommend that no charge should be made for the testing of cows that did not calve before the month of February. It was decided to adopt the system of signed orders. Another decision was that the secretary should be authorised, when all outstanding fees had been paid and the Government subsidy collected, to pay out a rebate of Is. 3d. per cow.

Hitherto, Martinborough has had some difficulty in bringing the group up to the required strength. Last year the group consisted of only 21 herds, with a total of barely 1200 cows. This year, 32 herds were offered at the annual meeting, and in all some 1800 cows are available. A meeting of the executive will have tQ be called shortly to reduce the number of herds to the permissible maximum-. It is thought that it may be possible to admit 28 herds to the group. A resolution was passed that all normal cows and heifers in a herd must be tested.

The following executive committee was elected:—Messrs. A. W. George, chairman (re-elected), L. A. Wrigley, C. Bargh, W. A. lorns, J. McGillicuddy’ H. W. McMaster, R. T. Parsons, A. T. Spicer, B. M. Clarry, Charles Smith and J. Martin. Mr. F. Farley was reappointed testing officer.

Messrs. A. W. George, C. Bargh and R. T. Parsons were elected delegates to the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Association.