The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-12-09
Pure BREEDS in
Craig County
Virginia Community Sue
ceeds in Eradicating
Grades and Scrubs.
prepared by the United States Department
ts of Agriculture.)

prepared by the United States Department
M Of Agriculture.)
Collaborating operations in Craig
county, Virginia, are now on 100 per
cent pure-bred bull basis following a
systematic and aggressive campaign to
eradicate the scrubs and grades. A
cattle survey made II years ago re-
vealed that the county had no pure
bred bulls whatever. The subsequent
rise from 0 to 100 per cent is largely
the result of systematic extension
work and a progressive sentiment for
better live stock by farmers Of the
county.
All Registered Pure BREEDS.
An official count on October &c
showed the county to contain Al pure
bred bulls, all of which are registered.
The final check-up was conducted by
W. o. Martin, county agent; L. I. Case.
animal husbandman of the state ex-
tension division, and D. S. Burch Of
the bureau of animal industry, United
States Department of Agriculture.
Beef cattle predominant in the coun-
ty. OF the Al pure-bred bulls q are
Herefords, IL Shorthorns, an Aber-
deen-Angus, and l a Guernsey. The
cattle population of the county is ap-
proximately 5000 head, and. though
for long period the region has pro-
duced good market live stock, improve
ment in the quality of cattle has been
especially marked during the last few
years.
Craig county is the second in the
United States and the first in Virginia
to eradicate all scrub and grade bulls.
The first county to reach that goal
was Union county, Kentucky, which
disposed of its last inferior bulls early
in 1926.
industry Diversified.
Although Craig county is scarcely
half the size of the average county in
the state, it's activities in livestock
production cover all the principal
classes of animals. including sheep,
swine, horses, goats and poultry in ad-
dition to cattle. The production of
lambs is an important industry. rival
ing cattle raising. Turkey prOduc.
ton is likewise a prominent feature of
the countys agriculture.
Other counties in the state have
been striving for the same pure-bred
sire goal under systematic agricultural
programs developed by county agents
in consultation with county advisory
boards composed of leading farmers.
This activity is sponsored by the state
extension service, of which j. K.
Hutchinson is director. Under this
plan several counties are gradually
graduating scrub and grade sires of
all kinds and replacing them with
pure breds.
Much of the success Of Craig county
in eradicating scrub and grade bulls
is attributed by County Agent Martin
to the good market prices received
for young stock sired by pure-bred
bulls used in recent years. One breed
er stated that his pure-bred bull, cost
ing less than $3.50, had already sired
more than Is calves. These calves
brought, on the average, $40 per head
more than calves sired by former
grade bull. He estimated that the
pure-5red bull, which is still in service,
had already earned more than five
times its original cost. Other instances
likewise have impressed cattle owners
of the county with the value of care
fully selected, pure bred, herd sires.