Imperial Valley press., 1934-05-19
WILL ENLIST
SUPPORT Of
GOVERNMENT
Test And Elimination Of Tuber-
culosis Reactors Voted At To-
days Meeting.
UNANIMOUS ACTION TAKEN
Situation Thoroughly Discussed
In Effort To Improve Con-
ditions In Industry.
UNANIMOUS ACTION TAKEN

Cleanup of all valley dairy herds
within the next IL months, with
every effort to be made during that
period to enlist the aid of the fed
eral government or other agencies,
was the sentiment expressed at this
mornings meeting of dairymen of
} the valley.
Not single voice was raised in
opposition to program of testing
for tuberculosis and eliminating re-
actors, all being in favor of it ulti-
mately, and the majority favoring,
instead of immediate testing on a
county wide scale, appeals to the
federal government for help. several
pointing out that other industries
had been aided and the dairymen
felt that they should receive some
indemnification for COWS destroyed
or on which they would suffer loss
While many were in favor of the
plan, a number expressed them
selves as being unable at present to
establish a tuberculosis-free herd
since they had paid good prices for
their animals, in many instances
owed money on them, and were
making little, If any, profit.
, The meeting opened with report
from representatives of the cream
cries who have been making a sur
vey of the situation in other COM
munities, finding the general senti-
ment there the same, all being in
favor of testing, but hoping for gov
ernmel,t aid. Charles Bramkamp
and Gene Lott were among the
speakers.
DR.. j. c. Pace, county yeterinar-
ian, was called upon for the results
obtained in his testing He stated
that he has tested some 4500 cows
to date; in those that were reteSt-
ed, the reactors were only 3 per
cent, and those herds tested for
the first time, an average OF 20 per
cert for reaytors was found. 1t
was generally believed by number
| present that the average for the
county would run about Is per cent.
Legislation Sought
, The question of testing, as was
pointed out at the meeting, has
been brought to a head by the re-
cent San Bernardino ordinance pro-
hibiting importation of all dairy
products into the county from herds
which are not tuberculosis free.
The greater part of this morn
ing's meeting was devoted to discus
sion of the situation, many speak
ers pointing out that eventually
Imperial Valley dairymen, if they
wish to compete with other dairy
men, will have to have t. b. tested
herds. The immediacy of this ac-
ton and the best methods of accom-
plishing it were discussed. Since it
is anticipated that other counties
may take similar action, the local
dairymen are facing a considerable
problem.
A motion was made that the
board of supervisors be asked to
pass a similar ordinance restricting
the importation of beef and dairy
cattle to this county to only those
which are t. b. tested, that no but
ter be imported into Imperial Val
ley that is not the product OF a t..
b. tested herd, and that restric-
tions be placed on the importation
of oleomargerine. This motion re-
ceived considerable applause but
failed for lack of second.
D. L. zinn, auctioneer, spoke on
the situation from the auctioneer's
standpoint. his sentiments being
= similar to the prevailing one.
In the absence of H. G. Farms
worth, farm bureau dairy commit
tee chairman, this committee hav-
ing called the meeting, Earl v. C.
Northrop presided. He asked all the
dairymen present tor write their
views and proposals to the chair
man of the farm bureau dairy de-
partment before the first Saturday
in June.