HERD-TESTING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 24 June 1930, Page 5

HERD-TESTING.

BUSH-HOROWJIENUA SOCIETY.

MEANS TO INCREASE WEALTH,

The Bush-Horowhenua Herd Testing Association, Inc., has completed another successful season; The average returns show a considerable increase over those of the previous season but as ■there were many new members during this season the comparison cannot really bo made. Suffice to say that the returns of consistent testing members continue to increase. There are still many dairymen who have not yet tested although there is now no reason why this should be so because it has been definitely established in actual practice that sustained herd testing will indeed give a return much over and above testing fees paid, apart from such added benefits as calf-marking, etc. Approximately one-fifth of the herds in the Dominion are under test. In this Association’s area the number is much less but it is hoped that in the near future the fraction will be nearer oriethird than one-fifth. What herd-testing can do for all is best shown by what it has done for some, and in this respect it is regretted that space does not permit the detailing of any of the many instances of increased returns brought about by the knowledge gained from the Association’s returns combined with good breeding and feeding. 1 Before the advent "of group herdtesting the Dominion fs average was assessed at 1801 b butter-fat per cow; today it stands at not less than 2151 b. In terms of revenue this increase in production means approximately £3,500,000. Surely this makes herd-testing worth while? Such increase benefits the Dominion as a whole but individual increases benefit the .individual very much moi;e.

Pull details of the testing scheme ■can he obtained from the secretary or from members of the local committees. The following are details of the Association’s returns for the past season:—

Association returns.—6l herds, 2557 cows; up to 19th May, 1930: Average cow, 266.091bs butter fat, 345 days; highest herd average, 363.221bs butterfat, 253 days; lowest herd average, 1<?2.78 (unfinished .return), . 130 days; highest cow, 5811b5., 290 days; lowest cow, lllbs butter-fat, 130 days. Group Returns.—No. 1 group (1437 cows). No. 2 group (1120 cows). Average cow —No. 1 group—26B.B4lbs but-ter-fat, 242 days; No. 2 group —262.56 lbs butter-fat, 246 days. Highest Average —No. 1 group—363.22lbs butterfat, 253 days; No. 2 group —310.821bs butter fat, 261 days. -Lowest average— No. 1 group —132.781bs butter-fat (unfinished record), 130 days; No. 2 group —187.851bs butter-fat (unfinished record), 160 days. Highest cow —No. 1 group —3811bs butter-fat, 290 days; No. 2 group —5091bs butter-fat, 296 days. Lowest cow—No. 1 group —211bs but-ter-fat, 100 days; No. 2 group —771bs butter-fat, 130 days. Note: No returns included from cowsi under test for less than 100 days. Analysis of Season’s Records.—Under 50, 8; 50-100, 37; 100-150, 129; 150200, 305; 200-250, 470; 250-300, 599; 300-350, 527; 350-400, 314;. 400-450, 138; 450-500, 20; 500-550, 8; 550-600, -2. Such shows that 174 cows were robbers, under 1501 b fat; 397 cows were boarders, under 150-21Dlb fat; 977 cows were fair producers, under 210-3001b' fat; 1009 cows were over 3001 b fat. The best herd in the Association was in No. 1 group, being that of Mr T. B. Milne, Ruawhata. jPhe best herd in No. 2 group was Mr G. Hansen, Kaiparoro. The best cow in the Association was also in No. 1 group and in the herd of Mr R. Hadfield, Woodville. In No. 2 group the highest producer came from the herd of Mr J. AADaysh, Nireaha,

Under the various herd classifications the best were: —Under 20 cow r s, 290.07 lbs fat, 208 days —J. T. Allsop, Ruawhata; 21-30 cows,- 329.961bs fat, 237 days—Morley Phillips, Pahiatua; 31-50 cows, 363.221bs fat, 253 days—T. B. Milne, Ruawhata; 51-75 cows, 305.621bs fat, 249 days—A. Hay, Ballance; 75100 cows, 310.821bs fat, 261 days—G. Hansen, Kaiparoro; over 100, 284.301bs fat, 254 days—R. B. Godfrey, Hamua.