Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-01-12
BY Dr. H. Graves Acting Commissioners the
of Agriculture

country that have become noted for
the quality of the livestock they pro-
duce. In most instances this is found
to be the result of concentrated
effort. The state of Wisconsin offers
splendid illustration of what can
be accomplished through community
breeding associations. Here are to
be found 1876 organizations devoted
to the breeding of high-class live
stock. OF this number 108 are pro-
noting cattle Of the different dairy
breeds, two beef cattle, 10 horses, two
swine, and IA general livestock.
These associations have met with
marked success and prove conclu-
sively that community livestock
breeding is not an experiment when
thoroughly organized and properly
conducted.
Livingston county, Mich, and a
considerable section of New York,
particularly the region adjacent to
Syracuse, are famous for their dairy
cattle. In Iowa prominence has
been gained in swine raising. The
blue grass region of Kentucky, noted
as the center of American saddle
horse breeding, affords further ex-
ample of the success resulting from
unity of effort and purpose. There
are still other sections where atten-
ton is being given to the produc-
ton of different classes of livestock.
Each is noted as breeding center,
and buyers who pay the highest
prices are attracted from other
states and even foreign countries.
Suggestions for Organizing.
The organization of community
or cooperative livestock breeders
association requires the services OF
a leader, as do all movements that
have for their object the improve
men of unsatisfactory conditions.
The leader in an enterprise OF this
kind should be one of the successful
breeders of the community-aggres-
sive as we'll as progressive. With
such a man at the head Of the move
ment, little trouble should be expe-
rienced in interesting others and Sc
curing their cooperation. A prelim-
mary organization should be ehected
"a committee appointed to draft q
constitution and bylaws, and def
mite breed selected which the asso-
citation is to promote.
The selection of a breed Is Of
great Importance. If the best results
are to be gained, individual taSte
should be disregarded and a breed
selected which has proved profitable
in the community. The action taken
in this respect should be unanimous,
and every effort should then be made
in improving the type of stock to
which the organization is committed.
When the breed has been decided
upon, the first step is to procure
number Of sound, purebred sires OF
that breed to be mated with the fe-
males owned by the members. II
there are a few good privately-owned
sires already in the community, they
can be put out for service and the
expense divided on a pro rata basis.
If additional sires are found nee
essary, It should be possible for the
association to secure them at con-
siderable saving in price through the
selection of q committee OF compe-
tent men authorized to make the
purchases. It will in some cases be
advisable to have qualified veteri-
marian as one member Of the COM
mittee.
At the opening Of the breeding sea-
son the sires should be placed at
the most convenient points and put
in the hands of capable and eficient
men, who understand the breeding
question and who will take proper
care at the animals in their charge.
After each second season 1t may
prove advisable to change or shift
the sires. This will allow each
breeder to procure the service OF a
new sire and at the same time make
it possible to determine which are
the best producers, so that those not
making good can be disposed Of.
A sufficient number Of the best
females from the successful sires
should be retained, and in some
cases male offspring may be put into
service in the neighborhood. This
will obviate the necessity for any
further extensive purchases and give
a constant supply of good blood and
uniform quality. In addition. 1t Will
provide an adequate number OF AMI
mails to take the place Of those that
die, are injured, or sold. The serv-
iceable sires crossed with the fe-