GROUP HERD TESTING.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18667, 20 June 1932, Page 8

GROUP HERD TESTING.

REMARKABLE PROGRESS. VITAL FACTOR TO NATION. FEDERATION’S ANNUAL REPORT. Amazing progress after six years’ work Is revealed In the annual report of the president (Mr Dynes Fulton) to be adopted at the annual meeting of the Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation In Palmerston North today. During this period the number of Associations throughout New Zealand has Increased from 8 to 28 and the number of cows tested has Increased from 88,549 to 222,221. The national Importance of hord-testlng Is commented upon by Mr Fulton In his report, which reads as follows: “In presenting my sixth annual report my thoughts turn to the inaugural meeting held In Wellington on July 12, 1926. Few of us present at that meeting realised that so much could be accomplished in a six-year period. Though we c-an rightly congratulate ourselves on the progress made, we must recognise that much yet remains to be done. During the past six years the group herd testing movement has been established in all dairying districts of the Dominion. Associations are now over their initial difflcultes and the foundatons are truly laid successfully to cope with even a big expansion in the number of herds and cows under test. Our objective must be to have all herds under test at least every other season. I have no hesitation in saying that this w r ouid result in increased returns of butterfat and in better feeding and handling •of our dairy herds. Dominion’s Advantages. “The present low prices for dairy produce demonstrate quite plainly how necessary it Is "to weed out the useless cows and retain "only the highest producers. Although we are 12,000 miles aw’ay from the world’s market, we have a climate unexcelled for successful dairying and with our fertile country and bounteous natural resources one hesitates to even make a forecast as to the increase per cow in this Dominion if herd testing is taken up seriously. As we are passing through a very serious worldwide depression and the call for help from our kith-and-kin cannot be ignored it is obvious . that our national duty is tftat every effort must he made and every system adopted to increase our production and so help those who are less fortunate. I therefore urge dairy farmers to make every effort possible in these difficult times to keep up, and if possible, to increase, their production per cow and per acre. With the advent of good times such farmers will immediately reap a substantial profit which will more than compensate for any losses made during the depression. The progress of the Federation Is set out hereunder: — Group Assn. Total Assns. cows cows levy

The above figures include adjustments. ‘‘l have to report that three associations have affiliated since our last annual meeting, and to these, Murchison, O’Kains Bay, and the Bush I extend a* hearty welcome. The adoption of group testing, with calf marking, will open up a new era for dairying in those districts. The Bush-Horo-whenua Association has gone out of existence and that district is now served by the new Bush Co-op. Herd Testing Association. We now have 19 affiliated associations In the North Island and nine in the South Island. I There are approximately five cows milked in the North Island for every one milked in the South Island. Satisfactory Finances. “The levies for the season amount to £462 19s Id as against £473 11s for the previous season. The balance sheet discloses a very satisfactory position with accumulated funds amounting to £929 11s 6d. We must •however, keep in mind the fact that the income from levy Is not sufficient to meet all expenses. I am definitely of the opinion that it is a sound policy to build up a reasonable reserve against the time when the federation may be thrown entirely on its own resources. As you are aware the Government gives a special grant towards the salary and expenses of the supervisor. Without -that grant we could not possibly carry on with a levy of $d per cow. “In view of the economic conditions prevailing, and the uncertainty of prices for butterfat, at the beginning of the season, it is indeed pleasing to note that associations generally have been able to hold their position. A vital factor in this connection has been the help given by way of subsidy by the Government and by the Dairy Produce Board. The Government has helped for some years past and the Dairy Board’s assistance came at. a most critical time. We sincerely appreciate that help. Many farmers now recognise that herd testing, in fact thorough methods, are even more necessary in bad limes than in times of prosperity. To-day ft is not a question of can one afford to test but ; rather can one afford not to test. For .that reason I venture to say that as ] a result of these low prices a decided I impetus will bo given to the herdj testing work. Fail In Production. “Tho number of cows being milked is increasing at an astounding rate, 160.000 increase in 1930-31, and 150,000 during the past season. Unfortunately for the Dominion this increase in cows being milked is not adding lo the weailh of the Dominion, the production per cow is falling ni an alarming rate —21811) per cow in 1929-30, 2011 b in 1930-31, and estimated lo he 1S5I1) for 1931-32. We must of course, rccognlso that during the past two years much country has been diverted from sheep to dairying, that climatic conditions in some- disj 1 rids have been far from favourable, and a greater per cenlagc of Iwo-ycar-olds have been milked. The chief ' reason, in my opinion, however, has ■ been Hie decrease in Ihe 'amount of I fertiliser used. In the peak year of production ( 1929-30 —2lßl b I cow) Iho fertiliser used was 4.3 rwt. I per cow. In 1930-31 fertiliser I dropped lo 3.4 cwl, per cow .and in 1931-32 lo 2.8 cwl. per cow. These

figures disclose a very serious position and,' as there is likely to be a further increase in the cows being milked next season, every effort should be made to increase the fertiliser per cow to at least the standard obtained in 1929-30, 4.3 cwt. per cow. With the increase in the number of cows, without a corresponding increase in herd testing, the percentage of cows under test has dropped to 16 per cent, as against 20 per cent, in 1929-30. Two Essential Faotors. “One hesitates to think what the position would have been to-day had there been no group herd testing. A prosperous dairying industry is vital to the progress of this Dominion. The two factors without which success cannot be obtained are fertilisers and herd testing. The universal use of both of these would place the industry in an unassailable position within a very few years. The Massey Agricultural College continues to help our work by tuition to young men anxious to take up the herd testing work. At the herd testers’ course held in April last 45 students sat for examination, and 37 were granted certificates. It is pleasing to note that an increasing number of farmers’ sons are qualifying for the herd testing work. “During last winter the federation supervisor held 88 propaganda meetings throughout the Dominion, which proved most helpful (o associations. Similar meetings are being held this winter, an;l at those already held an increase In attendance, as compared with last year, has been recorded. "The New Zealand herd testing central executive has held one meeting during the season, though the special committee consisting of Dr. Realms, Mr W. M. Singleton, Mr W. A. I'Orns, and myself have met many times to deal with urgent problems. It is anticipated that the Dairy Board subsidy of 6d per cow for group and 3d per cow for association own samples test will be paid to associations prior lo May 31. The Government. subsidy will not be finalised unlit probably July. At tills date it would appear that the Government subsidy will amount lo 6d per cow for group and 3d per cow for association own samples lest. In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge on behalf of the herd testing movement, the very valuable assistance rendered by the Department of Agriculture since the inauguration of group herd testing. Dr. Rcakes, and Mr W. M. Singleton have proved a tower of strength to our work.”

Season 1026-27 8 88,549 £ 184 s 9 a l i 1927-28 12 122,013 — 255 8 li 1928-29 21 193,762 56 61 415 9 2 1929-30 22 224,170 6939 481 9 7 1930-31 26 227,308 5674* 473 11 0 1931-32 28 222,22 1 6933* 462 19 1 *No levy