HERD TESTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20168, 9 June 1928, Page 10 (Supplement)

HERD TESTING

THE GROUP SYSTEM One Season’s Trial in South Taranaki Proves its Value Taken all round the averages and records put up hy the South Taranaki Herd Testing Association in its initial season are remarkably good. An average for 4,716 cows of over 2551 b. butterfat in 237 days indeed rank high, and speaks well for the capabilities of the district. If such an average is maintained next season it should from then on gradually increase, as herd owners discard poor producers and replace with good calves. It is possible that next season will see a drop in average, as it is usual for an association to commence operations with the more progressive type of dairyfarmer as members and with consequently higher averages. With a season’s successful testing to show that the movement is indeed what other established associations show it to be, many of the lower averaging herd; tiill be entered and so cause a lowering effect on the averag FIGURES THAT SPEAK RETURNS ANALYSED. FINDING THE HOBBLES. Records of outsanding merit are as follows: Herd average, Mr C. S. Tonks, herd milked by Messrs Bebb Bros, at Manutahi, 352.521bs butterfat in 254 days. This herd has been the best iu the Association on six out of eight monthly periods. Best individual, Mr E. A. Aiken at Waverley, an 8-year-oJd Holstein producing 557.041bs butter fat in 245 days. Against this record compare the worst cow (in milk over 100) 25.371bs in 100 days. Both ordinary looking dairy cows but without herd testing who could have thought of such a difference in production? Even one season of testing has proved to many that herd testing by the group method is indeed well worth while. Many new herds have been entered for next season and indications are that a greatly increased number of cows will be under test with the Association. A meeting of the Association Executive will be held shortly, after which will be held meetings in every locality for the purpose of forming new groups. These meetings will be advertised, but any particulars may be obtained from the Secretary, Box 48, Hawera. The testing will commence on August 1, or on a date to suit localities. The following is a summary of the records, all returns being calculated up to May 1; — ASSOCIATION RETURNS

The following is a return showing the number of cows per 1000 coming under the various production divisions:— Lbs. Fat—Up to 50. .64; 50 to 100, 13.78; 100 to 150, 50.67; 150 to 200 161.57to 250, 267.82; 250 to 300, 283.92; 300 to 350, 150.10; 350 to 400 4>jo to 450, 10.60; 450 to 500, 2.75; 500 to 550, .21; 550 to 600, .21; 600, Out of a total of 4,716 cows whose records are above, 307 were robbers, 762 were boarders, 2,602 were fair profit earners, and 1,045 were over 300 lbs' fat. The boarders and robbers would have been many more if the cows under test for less than 100 days and 2-year-old h.eifers had been included. No cow under test for less than 100 days or any 2-year-old records have been included in the above.

Butterfat. Davs Average Cow .. 255.02 9?; 7 Highest Herd Average .. .. 254 Lowest Herd Average . . .. « .. .159.19 162 Highest Cow 557.04 243 Lowest Cow . .. JD.Of 100 GROUP RETURNS. Hawera Pa tea Waverley Butterfat. Days. Butterfat. Days. Butterfat. Days Average Cow 268.00 233 242.85 238 255.70 240 Highest Herd Average 352.52 254 310.29 251 324.17 240 Lowest Herd Average 228.88 225 159.19 ,162 . 200.63 220 Highest Cow 503.27 271 478.9.1 300 557.04 245 Lowest Cow 38.60 150 25.37 100 63.95 173 Total Cows . . . 4.71(5 1.614 1,793 1,309 Average Daily Production . . 1.0761b 1.0201b 1.0651b 1.0761b