PROGRESSIVE WAIKATO

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 8

PROGRESSIVE WAIKATO

HERD TESTING AND ITS GREAT VALUE DAIRY FARMERS' ONLY STAND-BY. INFORMATION GATHERED ON A TOUR ROUND, No, 55. (By Our Special Commissioner). Herd testing should be in operation throughout the whole of "Progressive Waikato." If a dairy farmer wishes to show a profit, • then there is no good derived by milking inferior animals. And the only reliable way in ■ finding-out which are ! 'good" cows is by testing. For the last seven months the writer, has been on hundreds of farms and has interviewed a large number of farmers. It; is deplorable to see the number of poor herds, in comparison with those which are subject to herd-testing. Some farmers' do-not, or ■ will not, understand the great value it is to test. It really is the ' only means by which the "cockey"' can ascertain what his cows are . "doing. There are manifold benefits accruing from the system now in vogue. Testing is essentially an indication to the grade herd owner which are his productive and non-productive cows. Further- ' more, if many dairy farmers would exercise their judgment a little they would find that testing is a most valuable guide to the better rationing of their herds and supplying the animals with more concentrated and better milk-producing foodstuffs. It is really remarkable to hear the differet opinions regarding the question of herd-testing. Some farmers swear by it, s6me appear to be indifferent, whilst others again are either quite ignorant of its manifold advantages or else they are quite content to just drift along any old , how. It is the two latter classes of farmers that this, appeal to test is made, so that their own position as well as the status of "Progressive Waikato" will be much improved in the dairying world. Experience has taught that there is' nothing so beneficial to the dairv farmer as herd-testing. By this means he can .easily get rid of his non-productive animals. The practice also enables him to see and know from which cows to breed. Competent authorities have told the writer that 60 per cent, of what a cow eats goes 1 to repair waste tissues—in other words to feed her, and the remaining 40 per cent, is turned into milk. It stands to reason, therefore, it is not good policy to keep poor cows. It would be a much better • proposition for the farmer to pay a good price for a cow. with, a good test than to purchase, say, three for the price of one. One cow of such a nature is less trouble, gives as much butter-fat, and. eats a less quantity of grass than the three of an inferior nature.So which is the better proposition? The whole crux of the ques-, tio'n in herd-testing is the elimination of non-productive cows in a 'large dairying community and raising the standard of herds. Once that position is obtained, then to maintain-those herds at that standard of, efficiency for all time. - '

Another phase of herd-testing which is most worthy of notice is the' fact that there are many grade herd owners who simply cannot realise the necessity.of heading their herds wiih really good sires—male animals which have a certified butter-fat producing capacity behind them. This state of affairs is noticeable in various parts of "Progressive Waikato." Here, again, it might be pointed out that it is only by testing that, the male butter-fat producer can be found. . Married to Their Cows. Many herd-owners ' are positively married to their cows; They.buy a cow, often a handsome-looking_ creature, and they become so attached to the animal from a sentimental point of view that the cow in"question often retains a. place'in'the herd when she should go to the butcher's' block. The chagrin of the owner is so keen when a pet cow like this tests at a low percentage that he would sooner back the butter-fat producing propensities of this cow than attach any importance to the periodical tests given by the tests. This is a wretched policy for an owner to adopt, and only makes him the laughing-stock amongst his friends and acquaintances. Vital Side-Issues of Testing, There are some vital side-issues connected with herd-testing which should be mentioned so that unsuspecting farmers will not be "had." It is contended by those in a position to judge that herd-testing will shatter that nefarious practice of selling cows by a verbal guarantee in the saleyards or privately. The writer has come across instances where a farmer has sold his neighbour three cows, saying he was positive they would test in'the region of sor 6 per cent, right through their period of lactation. When the herd-tester came along, however, and submitted the cows in question to an unbiassed test, it was discovered that they tested nowhere near that percentage. If a "shady neighbour is liable to put that sort of thing across a fellow-farmer who is willing.to pay for good cows, is that going to rid the dairying community of thousands of wastrel cows? Therefore it is reasonable to suggest that in future steps should be taken to make provision for cows. to be sold under a written guarantee and not a verbal one This would mean that there would be a rebate to the purchaser if one was due.

-'cases their presence is almost resented, and it is not realised-"that they are assisting that man to improve his herd and his returns of. butter-fat. There appears to be a want of co-operation on the part of the ; dairy farmer, and testing does not appear to come within the bounds of his comprehension. Some dairy herd owners think testiag is a novel, new-fangled idea. In some instances they endeavour to "instruct" the testing officer in his work and everything connected with it. At present some of the officials are absolutely at the mercy of the farmer. The sooner the farmer. realises that by testing and by paying- attention to what the testing officer says he will get better returns the sooner life for.both will become more bearable. (To be Continued.)

The "Taranaki Heifer Business." Quite recently the writer came across a matter upon which, after further inquiries had been made, it was thought that some light should be thrown. The subject is' generally referred to as the "Taranaki heifer business." It must be. explained that genuine Taranaki heifers are the progeny of certified butter-fat producers fn Taranaki, and these animals should command good prices. It is alleged, however, that there are buyers ; who travel round miles away from Taranaki buying up Jersey "culls," or inferior Jersey heifers'; ship them to Taranaki for grazing, and then place them on the market as real Taranaki heifers. If such a practice is allowed to continue, then there is a possibility of the agricultural prosperity of "Progressive Waikato" being undermined. The only way to prevent such happenings is by having a guaranteed written test with each cow sold. Crossing of Various Breeds. On a large number of farms the writer has visited he was surprised to learn that farmers have been in the habit of breeding from "any old cow" so long as she gives milk. In some cases the consequences are that you have a little bit of Shorthorn, Jersey, Hereford and other breeds in many cows and many Jierds. Experts and others who are interested maintain emphatically that (he straight cross, one particular breed, or any suitable dairy strain adaptable to any particular part' of "Progressive Waikato" should be the practice. For instance, it is positively alarming as well as nonsensible "to have a Hereford strain in a dairy herd because it is a recognised fact that the animal is essentially a beef-producing type. Yet in some districts in which testing is carried out the testing officer has been compelled and obliged to test Herefcrds. Testers' Sphere of Work. The testers' sphere of work is an arduous as well as an interesting one. Their hours of work, in most cases, are longer than those of the average herd-owner. In many instances these men undergo many personal inconveniences, and in some, of the group testing associations their remuneration is. to say the least, not in accordance with the great, work they are doing for dairy production in "Progressive Waikato." On some farms they are not treated to the common courtesies of life, and yet on other farms . they are treated as one of the family. In