317LB BUTTER-FAT.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17133, 21 June 1927, Page 5

317L8 BUTTER-FAT.

MANAWARU’S RECORD. THE VALUE OF HERD TEBTINQ. ACHIEVEMENT FITTINGLY MARKED. (By Special Reporter./ The performance of Manawaru, which is one of the several groups under the New Zealand Co-operative Herd Testing Association, of attaining the great average of 3171 b. of butterfat per cow for the 1026-27 season, has gained recognition throughout the whole of New Zealand and will take its place as an attainment of world note in the realm of dairying pursuits. It is an achievement of which those directly concerned have every right to feel proud, and will set an example which the Manawaru Group will not only endeavour to improve but which the rest of the Dominion will strive hard to emulate and, if possible, out-do. These great figures must rank as conclusive proof to the dairyfarmer of the value of herd testing and the determining factor that the latter is in getting rid of the “robber" cow. Manaw'aru, that rich agricultural area about seven miles south, of Te Aroha, was en fete yesterday afternoon in warranted tribute to the occasion. There was a large and representative galhering of the people of the district, of those actively associated with the dairying industry and of visitors at. the hall in the district when fitting appreciation was made of the record and the hope expressed that the Manawaru Group would advance on the march of herd testing progress until the average of 4001 b. of butter-fat per cow per season was established. Mr F. E. Hughes, who presided, apologised for the absence through family illness of Mr G. Ward, the convener of the group. Mr. Hughes extended a hearty welcome to the visitors on behalf of the Manawaru Group, whose butter-fat producing achievement indicated that it could more than hold its end up with the rest of New Zealand. (Loud applause.) The speaker referred to the efforts to establish herd testing in the area some 15 years ago and pointed to the apathy to the scheme in those times. It was different to-day, however, when every dairyfarmer in the locality realised the value of herd testing, of which they had sucli conclusive proof in the record that the group had attained. In introducing the speakers who were to follow to the gathering, Mr Hughes paid a particular tribute to the energy' and ability in the cause of herd testing that Mr C. M. Hume, the general manager of the New Zealand Co-operative Herd Testing Association, to which the Manawaru Group was attached, had always displayed and whose efforts, the speaker added, had contributed in a marked manner, not only to Manavvaru’s progress, but to the achievement in general that herd testing had made of recent years. (Loud applause.) The Town’s Tribute. Mr R. Coulter, Mayor of Tc Am’ in extending the town’s tribute to Manawaru, said that he was happy to be at the gathering that day In expressing the realisation that the man on the land was doing the hard work and the rough work, Mr Coulter said that he could speak feelingly because, lie added, "I have milked cows and know all about it.” He was there to heartily congratulate Manawaru on its great achievement in establishing a world’s record, of which everyone was proud. As the result, not only Manawaru, To Aroha and district, but the whole of the Thames Valley had been put definitely “on 'the map. (Loud applause.) He could see by Manawaru.’s successful efforts one way at anyrate of helping the country out of Us difficulties. Manawaru had set an example to the rest of New Zealand. The speaker referred to the Government’s duty in subsidising herd testing and concluded by expressing the hearty appreciation of the people of Te Aroha to tile Manawaru Group on the great record established. (Loud applause.) ’ Mr. Fulton’s Remarks. Mr. Dynes Fulton, chairman of the New Zealand Co-operative Herd Testing Association and chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operati/e Dairy Company, said that the butterfat figures set up by the Manawaru Group were not alone a credit to the district but also indicated what could be accomplished by systematic testing. It was indeed gratifying to the speaker and to all connecled with herd testing. The speaker referred to the difficulties that had to be overcome before the work of the association was firmly established, and in referring to the system in operation said that he believed it was the best so far evolved. In alluding to the endeavours that had been made to get the Government to subsidise herd testing, Mr. Fulton expressed his conviction that this desired for aim would reach fruition shortly. He paid a high tribute to the work of the farmers in general and tiie dairy farmers in particular, so far. as this country was concerned. The energy and initiative of Mr. Hume in the interests of herd testing was specially referred to, Mr. Fulton adding that if one man deserved credit for the successful endeavours of the association it was Mr Ilumc (Loud applause). In hoping that the prominence attained by Manawaru would lie a good lead to the other districts in the Dominion, Mr Fulton had a special word of appreciation to say for the wives of the Manawaru settlers, lie warned Manawaru to “go for their lives" as other districts would be attacking their record. The speaker made reference to the financial support from the New Zealand Dairy Company to the scheme from the outset, the keenness Mr. W. Goodfellow had drsplayed in herd testing and the efforts of Hie association All realised that serious efforts were essential in the direction of educating the dairy farmer towards keeping only the best cows in the herd, in concluding Mr. Fulton expressed the hope that Manawaru would continue to lead not only New Zealand but the world in butter-fat production. (Loud applause). Mr. C. M. Hume, who was greeted with loud applause, on rising to speak, read apologies for non-attendance from the Governor-General, Hon. O. J. Hawkcn (Minister of Agriculture), Hon. J„ A. Young (Minister of Health), Messrs, G. E. Macmillin and A. M. Samuel, M.P., the secretaries of kindred associations in various parts of New Zealand and from Mr. W. p. Walters. The various communications congratulated the group upon its outstanding achievement and pointed to the lead that such results extended in the direction of increased dairying output for the Dominion. ( Som© Striking Figures. Mr Ilurne then detailed interesting statistics dealing specifically with the record-br'aking achievements of the Manawaru group. He said that there were 20 herds in the group, comprising 1581 cows, which averaged dITJH L

lb of butter-fat in 258 days, equal to i}lb of fat per cow per day).

The Mauawaru averages were: 1923-24, 2421 b fat, 247 days; 192425, 2571 b fat, 245 days; 1925-26, 283 lb fat, 260 days; 1926-27, 317 lb fat. 258 days, which represented an increase of over 751 b of butterfat per cow during the past three years.

These figures had been checked up against factory returns, the members having given their written authority to do so, and the result proved that the herd-testing figures were an authentic record. Of the 1581 cows tested 673 produced less than 3001 b of fat, showing that with further culling and replacing by heifers with butter-fat backing the average for the group was still capable of considerable increase. The highest herd in the group in herds comprising not more than 50 cows was that of Mr Weston Hughes, whose 21 cows averaged 402.541 b of fat in 277 days. The highest herd in the group in herds comprising more than 50 cows was that of Mr R. Koch, jun., whose 101 cows averaged 367.931 b of fat in 262 days. The highest cow in the group was owned by Mr A. Elliott, and she produced 593.761 b of fat in 353 days. The highest heifer in the group was owned by Mr J. E. Parker, her production being 446.141 b of fat in 284 days.

“ The averages I quoted,” said Mr Hume, “are all for normal cows. It is the usual practice to test only normal cows. During the past season, however, ,we have tested all cows in the herd, sick cows, etc., being tested in Glass B. It is very interesting to note that, including Glass B cows, the Manawaru group average is over 307 lb per cow. Our association average also shows marked improvement, being 255.491 b of fat in 250 days for 60,507 cows. A return of over lib of fat per cow per day for such a largo number of cows is an exceptionally fine performance, and indicates that we in South Auckland arc within measurable distance of our objective, namely, a Dominion average of 3001 b per cow. Our association average lias steadily increased. We started off with 2071 b„ and then followed 2271 b, 2321 b, and on this our fourth year is 2551 b, an increase of 481 b per cow during the past three years. This increase is encouraging when one remembers that the Dominion average to-day is well under 2001 b of fat per cow.”

In referring particularly to the but-ter-fat production of the leading heifer • in the group, Mr Hume said that she had produced just about double what was required for Government recognition under the 5.0. R., and enlarged ) upon the fact that it was to this diviI sion they had to look for the highest I average of their dairy cows. The great I factor universal herd-testing would i prove to Dominion production and the welfare of all sides was stressed by the speaker. Mr Hume also paid tribute to the | pioneering efforts of Mr Byrne, who was the first, man to raise the banner of herd-testing in the South Auckland. The work of the Waikato subprovincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, who were the first to introduce the group system of herdI testing, and who were followed by the | New Zealand Go-operative Herd-testing Association, was also remarked upon in appreciative terms by Mr Hume. Vr Hume once more congratulated .imawaru, whom be looked to to reach lin' 4001 b average of butter-fat made ; in four seasons. They might do it iuj side three, Mr Hume, added, and in [ closing said: “ Manawaru, I’m proud of you!” (Loud applause.) Worthy of Emulation. Mr 1L H. Sterling, general manager of the New Zealand Go-operative Dairy | Company, also paid his congratulations to the members of the Manawaru group for their accomplishment. No band of settlers could support a more worthy cause than that of the association. It would be generally recognised that when they increased the primary production they were increasj ing the economic status of the country. He congratulated the general manager, Mr Hume, for the very creditable part he had taken in regard to the development of the Herd-testing association. Mr Hume was a man of outstanding ability, and at no time did ! he (the speaker) regret having sought i the advice of Mr Hume on the imj portant undertaking that he was engaged upon. (Loud applause.) The speaker congratulated the Manawaru farmers upon their special achievement; not only did they set a good example for the district, but, for the whole of New Zealand. Manawaru had set an example that would be hard to beat. They possessed that energy that showed not the slightest evidence of stagnation, and it was that policy that must be emulated by every farmer In the province. (Loud applause.) Aiming at. Efficiency. Mr G. Finn, of Auckland, in adding his tribute to that of the other speakers, said that the achievement of the Manawaru group was a matter of great Importance, not only to Manawaru anrl the immediate district, hut to the Dominion and to the Empire. New Zealand desired increased efficiency which, to the dairy-farmer, meant, increasing his butter-fat, average. The speaker referred to the good work of Mr Goodfellow, not only to the cause of herdtesting but his great service to the dairying industry of the district and of New Zealand. (Loud applause.) Mr Dynes Fulton’s services were also fittingly testified to by the speaker, as also was the work of the directors and of Mr Hume. The latter, the speaker said, . possessed energy, enthusiasm, tact and ability in every direction, and lie added was a man who was going to make, a name for himself, if not a fortune. (Applause and laughter.) In strenuously advocating that the Government should subsidise herd-testing, Mr Finn remarked upon the psychological effect, more than the monetary, such assistance would have upon progress in the industry. The record achieved by Manawaru was, the speaker said in conclusion, going to create competition, and that, was something to he welcomed, as it would bring about, a higher standard throughout New Zealand. A World’s Record. Professor, W. Riddel, of Auckland University, said that the day would be long remembered. The achievement in having the youngest dairy country in the world eclipsing all others in the' production of fat in one group was a noteworthy feat. He paid a particular tribute to New Zealand and to South Auckland upon its progress, as the record established by the Manawaru group showed. If they coukl eliminate the poor producer from the herd it would he ail for the better. The record they were honouring that j day was one, lie couJd assure them, j that the, whole world would know of. | lie offered his heartiest congratulations to Manawaru on establishing the world’s record in bullcr-fal production, an accomplishment, which would bo testified to and appreciated by dairy j producers the world over. (Loud applause. ) Three cheers were given for Mr lan Peake, the tester in the group, and Mr Hughes thanked the various speakers for their felicitations, trusting that they would have ihc opportunity of repeating their congratulations when Manawaru reached the 4 00Jb mark. I Applause.) Tea was served by the ladies of the district, while musical numbers pro-

vided by the orchestra added to the afternoon's atmosphere of congratulation, in a red-letter day in the history of Manawaru. In the evening a very successful social and dance was held as a wind-up to the festivities.