asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state the number of cow-testing associations in existence in Saorstát Eireann in the year ended 31st December, 1931, and the number in existence in Eire on the 31st December, 1937, and further whether he will state the number of cows under test, the average milk yield, and the average percentage of butter fat recorded in each of those years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cow Testing Associations.
The number of cow-testing associations recognised under the provisions of the Department's scheme for the registration of non-pedigree dairy cattle was 208 in the year 1931 and 196 in 1937. There were 48,200 cows under test in 1931 and 51,393 in 1937. Particulars are not available as to the average yield of all cows under test but as regards cows for which the associations have records for completed milking periods it has been computed that the average yield of milk of 40,924 such cows in 1931 was 558 gallons with an average butter-fat percentage of 3.62. The corresponding figures in respect of 45,617 cows in 1936 (the latest year for which such information is at present available) were 528 gallons milk with a butter-fat percentage of 3.64.