MILK-TESTING AT HAIRINI SCHOOL.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 662, 24 July 1917, Page 3

MILK-TESTING AT HAIRINI SCHOOL.

(To tlie Editor). Sir —At the present time when we read and hear such a lot about butter-fat etc., it is of interest to find, that a complete testing apparatus lias been acquired by the Hairini School for the purpose of instructing the pupils there in testing for but/tor-fait in milk.

Mr Smith, the teacher, and tire members of the school committee are to bp congratulated on their foresight in purchasing this tester, which, no doubt will prove in years to come of great benefit to the future farmers. Die children at present receiving instruction at. this school. It is of course a well known-fact, that a good cow docs not cost any more to keep than a bad one. A cow which produces a large quantity of milk, deficient in butter-fat, may not by any means be a profitable one to retain in the herd. On the other band a cow giving a rather small quantity of milk, together with a high test, may prove to be one of the best. The only means of ascertaining which is the best, or rather, the most profitable cow to keep, is to test the milk, and wcigli the quantities produced.

Once a farmer knows which arc his best cows, then,, by keeping only the calves from these for his future stock, lie will in a very few years have increased the annual production of his herd considerably ; in sonic cases Die increase lias amounted to over 50 per cent. This increase represents a nett profit, as the labour and feed have not increased.

However, testing does not only bring out the best cows, it also, if carefully and regularly carried out, gives tlie farmer a better idea as to what conditions—in tlie matter of variety of feed, manures, paddocks, etc., —are the most favourable. This again enables him, by obtaining these most favourable conditions, to further increase his annual production. During late years when dairy-com-panies have paid their suppliers on the basis of quantity of butter-fat contained in the milk supplied, tlie test lias become of the foremost importance. Certain facilities are provided for the farmers by the Government, and dairying companies to have their herds tested. This is being made use of by a limited number. It means a certain amount of trouble, which no doubt, is well repaid if results are intelligibly observed; but once a farmer is able to test his own cows accurately himself, the results of the Balcock tester will he much more pronounced. By instructing at their school, tlie hoys and girls, who arc the farmers to be, in this important branch of their business, tlie teacher and committee are doing an excellent work; which, ii is to lie hoped will shortly lie followed >'v ail the schools in this dairyh" ■■ ■ ry. A DAIRYMAN. Hairiul, July 23rd, 1917.