The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-08-19
COLD BRICKS SOLD MICHIGAN
FARMERS
Cattle Breeders Pay Exhorbitant Pri.
ces for Poor Stock Through
Questionable Bull Associations

East Lansing, August 19-That
Michigan farmers are being badly de-
frauded by certain cattle breeders in
the state, being charged as much as
three times actual value for so-called
pure-bred Shorthorns, is the report of
| field men at the Michigan Agricultur-
al College. Under the plan which is
being put across, plain bred and very
common animals of the Shorthorn
breed are being sold on the "stock
company" or association" plan for
several times their real worth.
Evidence that bulls bought for
$50 to 5000 are being turned over
to Michigan farmers at prices run
ming as high as 5000 and 81, 900. has
been brought in. The Palmer Broth
ers, of Belding, are reported as
prominent dealers among those re-
sponsible for the questionable sales
practices.
Investigation of the case has been
lege and by Alexander MacVittie,
County Agricultural Agent in Tus-
cola County. Mr.. MacVittie made a
trip into Canada, where the bulls
have been purchased, in order to
learn more of the animals and the
prices paid for them. His report in
dicates that $500 was the maximum
price paid for the animals in ques-
ton, at ages ranging from IL to Is
months, and that no particular at
tention was paid to pedigrees or in
dividuality of the bulls.
| "The Canadian breeders consider
these bulls as scrub pure breds"
says Mr. MacVittie, "and are arous-
ed over the way inferior animals are
being imported into Michigan to un-
dermine the reputation of Canadian
chased ten head in an annaully put
on sale of left overs and every COM
mon stuff. Concerns of this kind
cannot do business where they are
known, and they are not going to do
any more business in Tuscola County
if we can help it."
The fact that these unsound sales
are being promoted on a plan quite
similar to the organization plan of
the legimate bull association in the
state, is a feature which makes the
matter particularly bad. According
to j. A. Waldron, Extension Special
ist at M. A. c. who has been inves-
tigating the sales, the association
4 plan Is being used in the promotions.
Usually enough farmers are lined up
in the Association" so that so or so
cows are included. A contract calling
for six dollars a year per cow for a
three year period, or SIS per cow in
all, is then drawn up. If so cows are
entered, the farmers pay 5000. for
the bull. Usually the owners of
grade or common cattle, having little
knowledge of Shorthorn pedigrees,
are those approached on the sale pro-
position.
The cooperative bull associations
plan was originated and put in oper-
alton by the Michigan Agricultural
College in 1906, has since been en-
dorsed by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, and is now used in prac-
tically every state in the Union. The
) plan itself is excellent, but the man.
ner in which it is being unscrupulous-
ly commercialized for private gain
should be severely condemned. The
bulls being sold are not even of quail
ity and breeding that will guarantee
satisfaction, in spite of the excess
i've prices paid for the services rem
dered.
"Good pure-bred bulls of any
breed suitable for use in grade and
many pure bred herds can be deliv-
cred to any community for from
$3.50 to $400, or less, says Mr..
Waldron. "These bulls excel in
every way those being sold at ex-
horbitant prices by some of the state
dealers. The cooperative bull as
sociations as organized by county
farm bureaus, cooperating with the
college, have proved very inexpen-
sive in operation. Date collected
from a number of associations in
Michigan shows the actual breeding
cost to be only $1.32 per COW per
year, including original cost of the
bull, depreciation, cars, losses, care
and other items of expense.
This notice about the privately
promoted and unsound association
promotion is being sent out as a
warning to those farmers who have
not already been approached by
salesman working the scheme, but
who may be approached in the flu
ture."