The independent-reporter., 1921-10-27
Cooperative Bull Association

Every dairy farmer knows that he
would get better returns from his feed
and labor if he had high-grade stock /;
but the idea of establishing blooded
herd Immediately suggests kid
glove" farming and bankruptcy
"Two-thousand dollar cows and two
dollar milk" was one farmers char
acterization.
Yet the United States Department
of Agriculture annually Is leading
hundreds of farmers toward the pos
session of herds that will increase or
increase the former milk and butter
fat yield with the same outlay for up
keep. One of the most useful agencies
is the cooperative bnll association.
A high-grade COW will impart her
excellent qualities to one calf in
year, and the total of high-grade farm
cattle is increased by one. On the
other hand bull whose mother had
| the same milk and butter qualilica-
tions, and whose father is descended
from a milk and butter strain, may
sire as many as Is calves. each carry
ing its share of the racial excellence.
This bull can do duty with one lot of
COWS lOI l8O years hhtlOul udnSti VI
inbreeding If there were five lots of
cows and FIVE bulls, and the bulls
were rotated from one herd to an
other every two years. each bull would
have a period Of usefulness of possi-
bly, 10 years, and may easily have
added $50 head of young stock, with
a due proportion of high milk -produc-
ing heifers As the first generation
of heifers became mixers, the breed
ing value of the bulls would become
established and any inferior sires
could be weeded out. Five bulls kept
for 10 years may change the entire
dairy industry of community and
possibly give its cattle distinctive
ness that would be o valuable market
asset.
Cooperative bull associations have
existed in Europe for long time. In
America the system is only ~ or l3
years old but records Of milk and
butter-fat production are in posses
sion of the department, showing tan
gible benefit far exceeding the cost of
the COW owners.
At New Windsor, Nd, for instance,
seven daughters of one sire averaged
270.5 pounds of butter fat year, an
Improvement over the average of
20S.3 pounds for their dams. This
was only the first generation. The g.
block association will permit line
breeding with greatly increased possi
bilities.
To organize a cooperative bull as
sociation, it is first advisable to arouse
as much interest as possible in the
plan through meetings, conversation.
Agriculture literature. 1t is possible
and the circulation OF Department OF
that the county agent or even some
State or Federal agricultural repre-
sentative can be induced to help per
sonally. Advice can always be OBJ
tanned from the department by mail.
Forms can be had from the depart
ment for a preliminary agreement, in
which. among other things, the num-
ber of COWS owned by each prospective
member is listed. When a sufficient
number of cows have been listed, a
meeting should be called and arrange
ments made for incorporation. Each
member would contribute in proper
ton to the number of cows he owns,
but would have only one vote.
AS early as possible, the temporary
or permanent secretary should begin
corresponding with breeders having
high grade bulls for sale. One bull
should be purchased for every rs
cows. The cows should be divided
into blocks of that number, with re-
gard to geographical convenience
and arrangements made for the keep
ing of the bull by responsible mem
ber whose farm is conveniently To-
Gated. The fees should be such as
to cover the purchase cost and the
cost of keep for a year and annual
assessments provided thereafter.
Valuable information on the forma-
ton and conduct of bull associations
will be found in Farmers Bulletin
993, which the department will send
free on request. Supplemental infor-l
nation, including plans for a model
bull pen, and data on the operation
and success of various bull associa-
tions can also be had by correspon-
dence. The department Is doing ev-
erything in its power to promote the
cooperative bull association move
ment as one of the most valuable adj
vances made in modern dairying.