STATE DAIRY ASSOCIATION. 299 



butchered these steers at our institution, taking- the percentages of the 

 different parts. We have sent now for the last few years one or two of 

 these steers to the fat stock show with our beef cattle. They have their 

 value on the block and from the reports that we see in the papers, in the 

 Breeder's Gazette, where official reports are made, the dairy steers arc 

 giving just as good an account, of themselves as are the others. 



You probably noticed that there were some cross-bred dairy steers 

 from Minnesota, a Hereford-Holstein and an Angus-Holstein. The 

 Hereford-Holstein steer was one of the best steers, I believe that we have 

 at our Minnesota Experiment .Station in so far as the cost of production 

 is concerned, and one of the best steers so far as putting the larger por- 

 tion of meat on the choice part of the body is concerned, was the Jersey 

 steer. We have found by this experimental demonstration that there 

 is a great question whether there is anything in the things we have been 

 taught in regard to the form that is necessary to make a profitable beef 

 steer. I called the attention of Prof. Shaw to a bunch of dairy steers 

 that we had last spring, two of which went to the fat stock show, and he 

 says : "Prof. Haecker, you amaze me." I said : "Look at those steers, 

 examine them, see whether they are lacking in putting meat on the most 

 valuable parts ;" and he could not help but see that they were full in the 

 loin, full where the choice cuts were and weak on poor cuts like the round 

 — they carry a poor round — but so far as cost of production is concerned, 

 we have found no material difference between the beef and dairy steers, 

 that is the steer of a dairy cow, bred to a beef sire. This is a sensible 

 thing to do. Suppose you want to milk half a dozen cows. Have those 

 cows thoroughbred dairy cows, take the very best care of them, and if 

 you do not want to raise any more of that kind, breed those cows to 

 beef sires and save both heifers and steers for beef and, my word for it, 

 they will make as cheap beef as any you will get and at the same time 

 you will have cows that will make you a large return in the dairy. 



MAINTAINING THE HERD, 



Mr. How would yott maintain a dairy herd ? 



Mr. Haecker — Always breed when you want to increase or add to 

 that dairy herd, those dairy cows to the best dairy sires you can get hold 

 of. Take advantge of heredity. When you have enough young cows, 

 breed again to the beef sire. 



Mr. Miller — I have in mind a young friend who has a lot of Herefords. 

 He wanted to go into the dairy business for the profit that there is in it. 

 He asked me and I told him my opinion about it. But for the good of 

 so many of these people that are here I wish you could explain to them 



