11 Si 



1916.] 



Herd Testing. 



533 



HERD TESTING. 



Fourth Annual Report on the Testing of Pedigree Herds Conducted 

 by the Department of Agriculture, Victoria, for year ended 

 30th June, 19 1 6. 



By W. A. N. Robertson, B.V.Sc, Chief Veterinary Officer, and 

 R. T. Archer, Senior Dairy Inspector. 



Although there is a small reduction in the number of herds tested 

 in the fourth year of operations, it may be claimed that the scheme is 

 not decreasing in interest and value. Two new herds have entered the 

 ranks, and many more are promised for the coming year, when the 

 effects of the drought have passed away — the reduction in the total 

 number is due to the inability of some of the breeders to obtain sufficient 



Blood will tell, No. 1. 



Lady Viola, dam of NoWe of Oaklands. 



fodder during the drought to even keep their herds in milk. In 1914-15 

 21 herds were tested; in 191,5-16 only 16. Two herds dropped out 

 by reason of dispersal sales, the balance by reason of drought and its 

 consequent losses. It is anticipiifod th;it these latter will re-enter at 

 an early date. 



The object of the test must always be kept before the minds of 

 breeders and dairymen generally. In no case must it be tiiought that 

 extraordinary records are aimed at — rather arc they discouraged for 

 such are no indication of the merit of a herd. The main object is to 

 work improvement in our stud stock, and by discovering straifis of cattle 

 which, when i)roporly fed, will be a reliable source from which dairy- 

 farmers may with confidence obtain sires as a means of increasing tlie 

 average retiirn from tiicir cows. At the jjrescnt time, with the reduced 

 numbers in our herds, the opportunity for the dairy-farmer to build up 



