MARKING STANDARDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

MARKING STANDARDS

REQUIRED PRODUCTION PUREBRED SIRES The requirements of a marked call are that it should be out of a dam of any breed or breeds whatever providing that her production under group herd test has been: First cal ver, 2501 b fat; second cal ver, 2751 b fat; third calver, or over, 3001 b fat; all in 305 days. The sire shall be a registered purebred. The scheme was evolved in the Waikato and is now under the direction of the Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation. A registered mark (T in a shield) has been gazetted, and the strictest conditions are adhered to so that there can be no possible chance of mal-practice. The system is absolutely water-tight and while the future production of the calf cannot be guaranteed, that of its forebears can be so certified. Only the calves out of cows tested under the Group Herd Test by an association that is a member of the Federation can be marked. Every calf has a distinct individual mark that is distinguishable at all future times. The mark takes the form of a tatoo in the ear and a certificate is issued at the time of marking. Calf Values. In the Waikato during the past few seasons several thousands of calves have been marked. It is to this district that we must at present look for results, and they are indeed not far to seek and are most gratifying. In other districts the movement is gradually coming into prominence. While most of the calves are sold privately or held for herd purposes, an annual marked calf sale is held. The sale for this season was hold during the beginning of March in various centres. A total of 245 calves were offev 1 ami the largest at one centre,

Frankton, was 126 calves. For these the average purchase price was £4 .15s showing that the buyers realised the value of a marked calf. The. average was, however, brought much lower than it would otherwise have been by some lots being in poor physical condition and by others of breeds not in demand. The top price realised was £l7 .17s for a calf out of a 6-year-old Jersey cow with a record of 497.791 b fat in 288 ♦Showing just what can be realised a line of 27 calves bred by Mr J. Nicholson, of Okoroire brought the splendid average of £6 a head. The highest record of the dams was that of a 5-ycar-old, 398.97 in 209 days and the lowest that of a 2-year-old, 253.25 in 207 days, both unfinished records. Even this price, was exceeded on several occasions by other larger lines sold privately. Private Sales. Of private sales there have been many, but a few will suffice to show the trend of prices. Mr A. B. Catchpole, of Ohaupo, sold three of this season's calves for £7 7s apiece; Mr T. Tomlins, of O.torohanga, sold nine at £7 apiece. Then there has been the splendid sale of 60 marked calves to Mr J. A. Garnett, of Fiji, through the advisor to his estate, Mr S. H. Barton, a popular and capable farmer and breeder of this country. The price paid for these calves ranged from £5 to £7 a head and quite a number were considered to be very cheap buying. What would these calves have brought a few years ago? Probably not more than 30s at the outside. Alany would probably never have been reared and so much \aluable stock would have been lost tu the industry.

The goal of the Federation is a Dominion average of 3001 b fat. or over. It is at present only in the vicinity of 2001 b. but without a. doubt it is these marked calves that are going to be the greatest help towards that aim. It has been well and truly said that “Ono of the finest things about calf marking is that it is enabling the young farmer tu start where his father left off.”