The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-03-29
Iowa as . Fine Stock Center.

Our state has peculiar facilities
for producing improved stock OF all
kinds. Its location, midway between
the great stock growing region Of the
extreme west and the manufacturing
states Of the east, delivers II into the
hands the key that unlocks the
treasure house OF both. The east
must have our beef and the west our
improved stock fol- breeding pur-
poses. Quality more than quantity
has been our motto, and there is per-
haps no state In the Union to-day
that can compete with us In tho
quality Of tho general average OF our
stock. There IL hardly MI animal to
be seen In central and southern Iowa
that does not show more or less
blood. There are moro pure short
horn cattle in Iowa to-day than in
any other state, not excepting Ken
lucky, the cradle SO to speak, Of the
American short horn.
The fabulous prices OF few years
ago have now settled down to Il fair,
rcmunerativc basis. Improved thor
onghbred cattle, swine, sheep aud
horses are no longer the exception
in every neighborhood, rs they were
few years ago, but the old, native
bony stock Is now the rarity and al-
ways calls forth comment when mot
with. The fine pasture and corn
lands OF our state so we'll watercd
and drained and free Of swamps and
malaria, make 1t hcalthful and COM
Portable for all kinds OF stock, and
especially adapted to the feeding OF
thoroughbreds OF all kinds. Our
winters make 1t more expensive than
a more southern climate; but there
Is this advantage that II will pro-
ducs animals possessing moro vigor-
Gus and hardy constitutions and this
is necessity for breeding animals.
bordering on the great beef pro-
dncing belt, we are the first to be
called on to supply the plains with
improved stock for crossing up the
herds Of the great cattle ranges, and
this demand is immense already.
We know OF one fine stock breeder
in central Iowa who has sold in the
last six months over fifty thousand
dollars worth OF short horns to sup.
ply the demand from the plains.
The average price per head OF the
cattle and swine OF Iowa Is now
probably three fold to what it would
have been had no effort been made
to introduce blooded stock and i'm
prove the quality Of the natives. We
think stock men will regard this
statement as moderate. II would be
difficult to estimate the increased
value that has been developed In
and added to the immense herds OF
the west by the introduction OF sup
crior blood. It would reach the
millions.
We do not make so much mention
OF the Jersey COWS, just now becom-
ing popular with our dairy men. nor
the Holsteins, the copious milkers,
rs they have not rs yet been so gen.
orally introduced. No doubt they
possess superior points Of merit.
The great demand on us seems to be
for the races that produce the most
and best beef, and the short horn
stands pre- eminent in this, with the
Hereford next in order.
1t seems that our future success in
this line is limited only by our saga
city il taking advantage Of our fav-
orable situation. The opportunity
is ours, and we should accept the
mission to produce the finest cattle
and swine in the world.-Cedar Rap
ids Republican.