Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-01-24
Years Progress
in Better Stock
Figures Show Importance of
Breeding and Selection
War on tuberculosis.

(nrapared by the United States Department
of Agriculture.1
The improvement of all kinds Of
farm live stock through breeding and
selection, the development of better
methods of feeding, the study Of AMI
NAL diseases and parasites, the pro-
lection of the industry from plaques
which menace it from other countries,
and the search for new facts concern
ing food values Of animal products
in all these directions progress has
been made during the last year, accord
ing to the annual report made to the
secretary of agriculture by the bu-
reau of animal industry. The large
figures involved show the great i'm
portance of the work being done for
the industry based upon the production
of meat, milk. work, and wool.
Animals Inspected.
More animals were inspected by the
department at various slaughtering es-
adjustments during this twelve-month
period than during any similar period
in the history Of the live stock busi-
ness in this country. The number of
animals slaughtered under inspection
was more than 100000. which ex-
ceeded the previous record by zoos, 600
animals. This inspection protects the
consuming public against unwholesome
meats and in many cases serves to ae-
quaint producers with the condition
of herds on the farm.
The battle against cattle tuberculo-
sis has been going forward rapidly, ac-
cording to the report. At the close of
the fiscal year there were more than
$500 cattle in 28,526 herds officially
accredited as free of the disease, a
rs per cent increase in the number Of
these herds over the preceding year.
The plan of cleaning out the plague
in entire counties at one time is be-
coming popular. Fifty additional
counties were freed during the year,
raising the total to 81. In the course
Of the year the tuberculin test was APP
piled to nearly three and a half mill
lion cattle, most of these found dis
eased being slaughtered under inspec-
ton and the owners Unidentified with
federal, state and county funds. Areas
in which practically all the tuberculous
animals have been removed are now
designated as '.modified accredited
areas" an arrangement which permits
shipments of cattle from these areas
without the usual restrictions.
Animal Diseases Watched.
There has been no foot-and-mouth
disease in the United States for num-
Der Of years, but the danger Of its in
PRODUCTION is great because of the pres
ence Of the highly contagious malady
in Jamaica. The departments quaran-
tine forces have been on the alert and
so far have prevented its entrance;
precautions have been taken, in case.
1t should pass our borders, to have the
defensive organization ready for i'm
mediate action. During the year, the
report says, the dangerous disease
known as surra was found in the
blood of five dromedaries, offered for
importation and inspected at one of
the governments quarantine stations.
Live stock improvement is being
stimulated through a movement, called
the Better Sires-Better Stock" cam
paign, in which farmers and breeders
are induced to pledge themselves to
use only pure bred male animals on
their farms. At the end of the year
there were nearly 1900 live stock
owners who had made this pledge. A
QUESTIONABLE sent out to several hun
dred farmers brought out the most
troublesome problems in the feeding of
farm animals As result of the de-
partment's offer to assist, many spe-
cial problems in animal nutrition have
been sent in for solution or sugges-
tons. A study was made of the meat
yields Of the different farm animals,
the results showing that the types rec
ognized as best by judges at the lead
ing shows are much superior. to poorly
bred stock from the meat production
standpoint.
The animal industry work has been
brought to the attention of the public
in various ways, including bulletins,
articles in newspapers and farm pa
pers, through exhibits at shows and
fairs, and by means of motion pictures.