The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-03-28
COOPERATION IN LIVE
STOCK BREEDING
Success Of Cooperative Effort DEM
onstrated by 1876 Community AS
sociations In Wisconsin.

There are some sections of the
country thathave become noted for
the quality of the live stock they
produce. In most instances this is
found to be the result of concentrate
ed effort. The state of Wisconsin Of
fers a splendid illustration of what
can be accomplished through COM
munity breeding associations. Here
are to be found 1876 organizations
devoted to the breeding of high-class
live stock. Of this number, 108 are
promoting cattle of the different
dairy breeds; 2, beef cattle; 10, hor-
ses 2, swine; and ID, general live
stock. These associations have met
with marked success and prove con-
clusively 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 ada
cent to Syracuse, are famous for
their dairy cattle. In Iowa promi-
hence has been gained in swine rails
ing. The bluegrass region of Ken
lucky, noted as the center Of Ameri-
can saddle-horse breeding, affords a
further example Of the success re-
sulting from unity of effort and pur-
pose. There are still other sections
where attention is being given to the
production of the different classes of
live stock. Each is noted as a breed
ing center, and buyers who pay the
highest prices are attracted from
other states and even foreign coun-
tries
The organization of a community
or cooperative livestock breeders
association requires the services of a
leader, as do all movements that
have for their object the improve
ment 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 man at the head of the move
ment. little trouble should be exper-
fenced in interesting others and Sc
curing their cooperation. A prelim-
mary organization should be effected,
a committee appointed to draft a
constitution and bylaws, and a de-
finite breed selected which the as
ISOLATION is to promote.
The selection of breed is of great
Importance. If the best results arc
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 ir
improving the type of stock tc
which the organization is committed
When the breed has been decided up
on, the first step is to procure ;
number of sound pure-bred sires OIL
that breed to be mated with the fe
males owned by the members. Il
there are few good privately owned
sires already in the community the,
can be put out for service and tn
expense divided on a pro rata bas:;
If additional sires are found ne
cessary, it should be possible for tn,
association to secure them at con
siderable saving in price through tn
selection of committee of compe
tent men authorized to make tn
purchases. 1t will in some cases b.
advisable to have qualified veterin
arian as one member of the commit
tee.
At the opening Of the breedin,
season the sires should be placed a
the most convenient points and pu
in the hands of capable and efficien
men who understand the brcedin
question and who will take prope
care of the animals in their charge
After each second season it ma
prove advisable to change or shift
the sires. This will allow eac
breeder to procure the service of
new sire and at the same time max
it possible to determine which ar
the best producers so that those NO
making good can be disposed of.
A sufficient number of the hes
females from the successful sire
should be retained, and in some case
male offspring may be put into sci
vice in the neighborhood. This wi
obviate the necessity for any furthe
extensive purchases and give COZ
slant supply of good blood and un
form quality. In addition, it wi
provide an adequate number of an
mails to take the place of those ths
die, are injured, or sold. The sci
viceable sires crossed with the f,
males retained will be of incalcu