Report of Missouri Farme^^s' Week. 447 



THE VALUE OF A GOOD STALLION. 



(S. T. Simpson, Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Missouri.) 



Our State is noted for many good things, including saddle 



horses and mules. While we pride our- 

 selves in producing some of the best cattle, 

 sheep and hogs, we seldom find Missouri 

 draft horses among the tops of the sales or 

 shows. This is probably the result of vari- 

 ous limiting factors, among which is the 

 failure of many mare owners to fully ap- 

 preciate and recognize the value of a good 

 draft stallion. 



It is impossible to say in dollars and 

 cents the value of a good draft stallion, to 

 any community or state. There are a few 

 figures which should prove interesting and 

 give us an idea of what results might be 

 expected by using the best stallions obtain- 



s. T. Simpson. ^^^^ instead of the inferior individuals so 



common in, our State at present. Statistics show us that Missouri 

 has a relatively high valuation placed upon most everything except 

 horses. Unfortunately, the exact valuation of draft horses is not 

 obtainable, owing to the fact that Kght horses are included, but 

 they should raise instead of lower the valuation of horses in Mis- 

 souri. The 1911 year book of the Department of Agriculture 

 gives our horses an average valuation of $102 per head; Illinois 

 horses are valued at $115; Iowa, $114; Indiana, $118, and Wis- 

 consin at $124 per head. Surely this higher rating is due to the 

 production of better horses. Whenever we think of producing 

 better live stock of any kind, we immediately think of the sire 

 as being the most logical and successful channel through which 

 this might be accomplished. And so it is that we must sooner or 

 later realize the importance of using nothing but the best stallions 

 if we are to succeed in the draft horse business. 



The first cost of a first-class pure-bred stallion is not exorbi- 

 tant when we compare his produce with that of the grade or scrub 

 of indiscriminate ancestry. The $10 that you pay for the service 

 of a common mongrel is high, while the service from a good 

 stallion is cheap at any price. Seldom do we find a difference of 

 over $5.00 or $7.50 between the grade or scrub and the high-class 



