HERD IMPROVEMENT

Waipa Post, Volume 37, Issue 2179, 5 July 1928, Page 5

HERD IMPROVEMENT

TESTING AVERAGES FOR MAY.

DISTRICT GROUPS. - The figures for May released by the New Zealand Herd-testing Association make interesting reading for dairymen in districts surrounding Te- Awamutu. , The average for the whole 36,232 cows under Association test for the month referred to was 332 lbs milk, with' a 5.3 test and 17.65 lb fat. A year ago the 36,753 cows averaged 380 lb milk, 5.0 test, and 19.33 lb fat. In comparing the figures for May, 1927, and May, 1928, it should be noted that this year all the records are for a full thirty days, period, and the average represents the production of all cows in milk, whereas last season the average was for normal cows only. The best herd in the Association's 59 groups was in Paterangi district, where a herd of nine cows averaged 41.32 lb fat. The best cow was in the Putaruru group; she gave 84.60 lb ■fat. It is. of interest, for comparative purposes, to note that the least profitable cow during May was one in the Tauhei-Tahuna group, which gave a total of .67 lb fat —Worth about a shilling. If that cow was milked twice a day for the whole month she certainly was unprofitable ! The Hairini group comprised 898 cows in May last year and 715 a year ago. The comparative averages are 342 lb milk. 5.3 test, and 18.35 lb fat against 324 lb milk, 5.5 test, and 18.14 lb fat. The best herd in the group for May was 65 cows averaging 24.83 lb fat, and the lowest 22 cows averaging 6.75 lb. The best cow gave 45 lb fat, and the lowest 2.94 lb. At Kihikihi the group comprised 1150 cows last year, and they averaged 366 lb milk, 5.1 test, and 18.83 lb fat, while .a year later the 993 cows averaged 324 lb milk, 5.3 test, and 17.33 lb fat. The best herd (72 cows) averaged 25.40 lb fat, and the lowest herd average was 9.60 lb from 32 cows. The best cow gave 46.90 lb fat and the lowest 2.17 lb. Ohaupo group: Last year (May) 649 cows, averaging 411 lb milk, 5.2 test, and 21.67 lb fat. This year the 607 cows? averaged 319 lb milk, 5.5 test, and 17.71 lb fat. ' The bt J st herd (23 cows )averaged 25.42 lb, and the lowest average was 10.32 lbs from 43 cows. The best cow gave 46.98 lb fat and the lowest 1.92 lb. Otorohanga group's 812 cows a year ago averaged 371 lb milk, 5.4 test, arid 20.34 lb fat, whereas the 1114 cows for the corresponding month of this year averaged 345 lb milk, 5.8 test, and 20.20 lb fat. The best herd production was 37.81 lb fat from 23 cows, and the'lowest 10.20 lb from 31 cows. The best individual cow produced 64.82 lb' fat, and the lowest 3.18 lb. At Otewa the group comprised 179 cows last year, averaging 338 lb milk, 5.5 test, and 18.68 lb fat. A year later the group of 484 cows averaged 269 lb milk, 5.4 test, and 14.67 lb fat. The best herd, 50- cows, averaged 22.70 lb fat, and the lowest (19 cows) 9.56 lb. The best cow produced 37.30 lb fat and the lowest 3.48 lb.

There were 577 cows in Paterangi group a year ago, and they averaged 333 lb milk, 5.3 test, and 17.90 lb fat. For May this year the 603 cows averaged 323 lb milk, 5.6 test, and 18.17 lb fat. The best herd average was 41.32 lb fat from nine cows, and the lowest was, 11.80 lb from 47 cows. The best cow produced 58.05 lb fat and the lowest 1.29 lb. There were 1115 cows in Te Awamutu group a year ago, and they averaged 369 lb milk, 5.2 test, and 19.43 lb fat. A year later the 910 cows averaged 300 lb milk, 5.6 test, and 16.87 lb fat. The best herd .average was 26.72 lb fat from. 41 cows and the lowest 10.80 lb from 30 cows. The best cow produced 50.37 lb fat and the lowest 1.62 lb. Te Kawa group comprised 544 cows, and they averaged 360 lb milk, 5.4 test, and 19.54 lb fat, ■as compared with 605 cows a year later, averaging 315 lb milk, 5.5 test, and 17.36 lb fat. The top herd average was 24.33 lb fat from 27 cows. The best individual cow produced 47.23 lb fat and the lowest 4.20 lb.