HERD TESTING.

Wairarapa Age, 5 June 1930, Page 5

HERD TESTING.

AN INDISPENSABLE GUIDE TO DAIRY FARMERS. ADDRESS BY MR A. H. HUMPHREY AT WINTER SHOW. A considerable amount of Interesting ground was covered by Mr. A. H. Humphrey in an address on herd testing at the Winter Show yesterday. A demonstration of the methods pursued in determining the quantum of butterfat was given by Mr. E. H. Buckley, testing officer. Mr. Humphrey said that nearly ten thousand cows were now under test in the Wairarapa and he was sure that testing would before long become universal in New Zealand. It was the only means of determining the productive value of cows and of getting rid of “robbers” and “duds.” At a recent d'ate, a cow producing 150 lbs., of butterfat, gave an. annual return of £ll 5s and a cow producing 450 lbs. gave a return of £33 15s. It was practically impossible for anyone to go into a herd of cows and determine onappearance their powers of production. In one herd he had tested, a really beautiful little Jersey was found to be producing 160' lbs. while a. cow of ungainly make, with a goose rump and knock knees gave 450 lbs. Referring briefly to various fodder plants, Mr. Humphrey said that in his experience millet was not worth bothering about. Turnips undoubtedly were good and swedes were an admirable feed for cows. There was the matter of flavour, but the pasteuriser should, overcome that. Swedes and other turnips should be pulled twenty-four hours beforehand and allowed to wilt. Maize was of more value in. fattening than in producing butterfat. Chou Mollier Was an excellent food, giving an increased flow of milk and return of butterfat. Where testing was adopted, the standard of the herd could be built up year by year, but it was not always wise to condemn a cow on one season’s testing. For instance, a twdyear old heifer might have a test of 250 lbs. and next year the return might, drop to 'lBO or 190 lbs. of fat. One reason was that in their third year the animals often shed their teeth and were unable to masticate thpir food properly. Every farmer should select the stock that would do well in the special conditions of his farm. Jerseys needed sheltered pastures, Frlesians an abundance of luscious feed; the Ayrshire /as a hardy animal and did well almost anywhere. Mr. Humphrey also touched upon tho necessity maintaining the strain in mixed herds and observed that it was usually wiser to buy a bull calf than to buy a two-year-old. The results of testing were accurate and dependable. As an example of tho necessity of determining the productive value of cows by testing, Mr. Htimphroy mentioned the case of a store cow, bought for fattening, which calved and Was milked for a time. It Was found to bo producing over 400 lbs. of butterfat per annum. Hundreds of coWs must have been fattened and elaughtered only because their value was not known. If a cow was worth milking, it was worth testing. Mr. Humphrey exhibited the appliances’ used in calf marking and said that Calf marking was going to be tho hall mark of the dairy industry. The qualifications for marking were a pedigree site and a butterfat production by the dam of 250 lbs. for a two-year-old, 275 lbs. for a threc-year-old find 300 lbs. for an older animal. On the motion of Mr. James Watson, Provincial Secretary of the Farm<ers’ Union, who presided, Mr. Humphrey was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.