HERD TESTING

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3251, 5 November 1932, Page 8

HERD TESTING

GROUP SYSTEM POPULAR. • Lojwer average production and a lower percentage of cows tested to the number in milk were the outstanding features of the 1931-32 season as reviewed by Mr W. M. Singleton, di rector of the dairy division, in the current issue of the Journal of Agriculture. The average butter-fat production of all cows tested in the 193132 season was 236.871 b., compared 1 with 241.05 in the 1930-31 season. The percentage of cows tested to the number in milk during 1931-3"2 was 16.4, compared with 18.0 in, 1930-31 and 20.4 in 1929 30. Four main factors, says Mr Singleton, operated against an increase in average producted last season. These were (1) diverse climatic conditions; (2) decreased use of artificial fertilisers during the previous season; (3) an increase in the number of first calver as the result of more cows being brought into milk; and (4) failure to cull, or less culling, because of an attempt to obtain maximum total pro- j duction.

Group testing continued its rise in popularity during the season to such an extent that it accounted for over 90 per cent of the 259,857 cows tested. Those tested under the associ ation own-sample system numbered 25,111, while 219 cews were tested by dairy companies on behalf of suppliers.. Although there was no marked falling off in the number of cows tested, it is nevertheless shown that the number in milk is increasing so rapidly that the relationship between total cows and tested cows is less favourable than could be desired. Since the peak year, 1929-30, when 21.4 per cent of the country's cows were under test,, there has been a drop of 4 per cent.

' "In spite of the general financial stringency, there were some 11 new groups operating last season, and obviously these helped to make the position appear more favourable, there having been a fairly substantial falling off in some of the older established districts," Mr Singleton con tinued. "The South Island again showed an increase, and it is pleasing to find the herd-testing movement so firmly established in Westland, which last year tested some 39.6 per cent of its total cows in milk—easily the highest percentage for the Dominion. The establishment of new groups is no doubt due in po small measure to the financial assistance rendered by the Government subsidy to herd testing. The terms relating to the distribution of the subsidy have been such that newly-formed groups have received a grant up to £SO to cover the cost of outfit,- and in the majority of cases this sum meets the full expenditure."