HERD TESTING

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1787, 27 July 1926, Page 8

HERD TESTING

VALUE TO DAIRYING AND THE DOMINION. GREATLY-INCREASED REVENUE. " That this Chamber records its satisfaction at the progressive movement of the 'dairy farmers in herd-testing, resulting in an improved average yield * per oow .believing that thi s is, a thoroughly practical way of increasing production, thus contributing to the prosperity of New Zealand. The Chamber heartily supports the request for a Government subsidy towards this end, provided, that an equitable basis of distribution of any such grant is deputed, whereby the benefit of the subsidy will reach those faptiers who effectively apply the principles ot herd testing and culling." The above resolution was , moved by Mr A. H Hunt at- the Wellington Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, and was carried unanimously. Mr Hunt mentioned that chambers of commerce throughout New Zealand had opposed, dairy control, believing • that any attempt to regulate market prices at the other end was fraught with danger There was certainly a considerable difference of opinion on thils subject There could, however, be but one mind on the desirability of ', increasing production, which must increase the prosperity of the country, end was, in fact, the' only hope of the future The testing-of cows and 1 the keeping of better stock were undoubtedly the most effective methods of putting one of our chief industries on a stable and profitable basis. Mr .Hunt said he had secured, the following 'fig- • ureg from a reliable (source — Total number of dairy cows in New Zealand (in milk and dry), 1,323,432; average production, approximately, ISO lbs butter-fat; nujmber of cows iOSifd, 1924-1925 season, 196,850; data •collected for 151,875 tested cows gives .average yield of 223.54 lbs butter-fat; if all dkiiry cows in New Zealand yielded an average production of 300 lbs fat, this ,at Is 6d per It, would, raea/i an increased revenue of a total sum "of £11,910,888; if all tested cows (196,350) had yielded 300 Ills fat, Instead of 223.54 lbs fat. this at Is 6d per. lb. v.-ould mean an increased revenue of approximately £1,122,045. v _ 'Wnen it was realised, Hunt, that nearly twelve millions OI money could be secured from the dairy cows at present being milked in New Zealand, and ibhis obtained, with very little ■additional labour and the utilisation of no more land, then it must be apparent to all that this 'formed one of the most important movements of the day. Hundreds of farmers 'had their herds producing up to 200 lbs butter-fat, and many to a higher figure, andl if all set to work in earnest over the matter of herd-testing then within six years many millions of additional revenue would, be assured. It was true the subsidy asked for wa s £IO,OOO, which would require to come out of the public funds, but he was sure that the views of the chamberis of commerce, at any rate, were big enough and broad enough to support the proposal to benefit the whole community. It was deci'ded'to forward a copy of •the resolution to the Minister of Agriculture, the press, the National Dairy Association, and other bodies interested.