346 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



WORK OF THE IOWA STATE DAIRY ASSOCIATION, 1916 



Although dairying' has been an important phase of Iowa agrieul 

 ture since its beginning, it has never until the past few years re- 

 ceived that encouragement which has developed other lines of 

 farming. As a consequence, the Iowa farmer and dairyman have 

 been reluctant to accept improved methods of dairy husbandry. 



The creamery interests have made much more rapid progress and 

 today are recognized among the most remunerative factories of 

 Iowa. The education of the buttermakers and creamery managers 

 has received much attention and their efficiency as manufacturers 

 of butter is far in advance of the methods used for the production 

 of the raw product on the average farm. Realizing that there was 

 greater strength in co-operation than there was in individual effort, 

 the Iowa State Dairy Association was organized in 1876. This work.- 

 as in any other line, needed some definite foundation, and as there 

 was no large market for the raw products the creamery was natur- 

 ally the first to receive the attention of the organizers. 



The association gradually grew and acquired prestige until in 

 1909 it had a membership of over 600 buttermakers, farmers and 

 dairymen. At that time it was realized that in the effort of advanc- 

 ing the manufacture of butter, there was an important phase of 

 dairying which had, to a great extent, been overlooked, and if the 

 dairy industry of Iowa was to continue to advance, the cow, which 

 is the foundation of dairying and the source of raw material, must 

 be given consideration. 



In order to render certain and make rapid this improvement, the 

 officers of the association appealed to the state legislature for as- 

 sistance. As a result a bill was passed by the 33d General Assembly, 

 authorizing an appropriation to carry on dairy educational work. 

 Since that time the appropriation has been voted by each legis- 

 lature. 



Up to the winter of 1915-16, the educational department had 

 operated fifteen dairy trains. These covered every railroad line in 

 the state and furnished the le<^turers an opportunity to reach 701 

 towns, 210 of which were given two or more meetings due to the 



