Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-28
FOR THE PRODUCTION
OF BETTER STOCK
Department of Iowa State College to
Lend Aid i'm Movement.
WILL HOLD FAT STOCK SHOW
WHEREVER WANTED.
Will BE Wholly New i'm History of
Iowa and the United States
Judging.

Ames, Ia, Jan. 12.-The better
market production of cattle ant
hogs and sheep is to get special en-
couragement in Iowa from the agri
cultural extension department Of
Iowa State college. Through scores
of local fat stock shows, the animal
husbandry experts at Ames plan to dc
for the fat stock industry what they
have done through local colt shows
to stimulate the better breeding OF
draft horses. Iowa's colt shows have
aroused farmers in hundreds of COM
munities to the value of good blood
and good management in growing
drafters with the result that Iowa is
producing more high class work hor-
ses than any other state. Director
w. J. Kennedy of the agricultural ex-
tension department believes that fat
stock shows will be just as effective
in their field and one will be organ
lied in every community that wants
it.
The local stock show will be alto
gether different from the customary
county fair competition. The latter
is almost wholly for pure bred ami
mails while the local shows planned
by Director Kennedy will be for
grades. Pure bred shows are open
to less than 10 per cent of the farm
ers, the local shows will be open to
every man who grows cattle, hogs OF
sheep. 1--WE hope to reach the many
with this new type of show" says
Director Kennedy. 1T is time that
the average man had a chance tC
compete for ribbons and other prizes
and get the education that comes
from such competition. We hope t.
provide that chance. The pure bre(
competition is important, of course
but so is this other competition. w,
won't solve the meat problem unit
the average farmer is wide awake t,
the possibilities of live stock produc
ton based on scientific breeding an,
feeding and business-like manage
ment'
/ These local fat stock shows will b.
wholly new. Nowhere else in thi
country have such exhibits for grad
animals been undertaken. They will
be judged on new basis also. First
and finish on a basis of 40 points O
the hundred; second, they will con
slider economy of gain and method @
feeding on a basis of 80 points, ever
exhibitor being required to present
statement covering methods and cost
Of fattening; third, they will consid
er the weight of animals for age o.
a basis of 25 points.
Judging along these lines" say
Director Kennedy, will go right t
the foundation of successful marke
production of live stock. 1t consid
ers the three essentials: type an
conformation, economical gains, an
early maturity. Economy of gal
has not had enough consideration /
live stock shows. One of the recen
international grand champions wa
nourished by two nurse cows unit
he was far bigger than either one G
them. Beef fattening in that wa
has no lessons of value for the aver
age producer of beef. But when on
local shows require exhibitors to Civ
costs and methods of feeding an
then judge their animals on tina
basis, the average man will fin
something of real practical value i
the shows. Then shows will b
really educational"
There will be two classes each {
cattle, hogs and sheep in these lOcs
shows. For cattle there will be
Junior class, steers 10 to Is month
old, and senior class, steers Is [
"A months. For hogs there will b
! junior class, 6 to 9 months, and
senior, 8 to IL months. For shee
there will be class of yearling wetl
| ers and of wether lambs.