498 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



In 1919 the first club was organized in Iowa in which purebred heifers 

 were used. Previous to this time all clubs had been organized with grade 

 heifers with the idea in mind that in the future the time and place would 

 be available for carrying the work a little farther by the use of regis- 

 tered heifers. It must be remembered at the start that Iowa is not 

 primarily a dairy state and that there are only a few locations in which 

 purebred heifers could be used and success be expected. Only those 

 communities or counties where there are a number of pure-bred breeders 

 or where the people are familiar with grade dairy cattle as well as some- 

 what of a general idea of the value of purebreds should be considered. 

 Where at all possible all purebred clubs have been organized in counties 

 in which there were purebred breeders' associations. With these organi- 

 zations already in the county the calf club can be made a definite pro- 

 gram or work for the organization. 



Establishes New Breeders 



There is no doubt but that calf club work is one of the surest and most 

 effective ways available for the breed expansion or the establishment of 

 new breeders. Because of this fact all but one of the eight purebred 

 heifer clubs have been organized through the county breeders' associa- 

 tions. This makes every individual breeder responsible to a certain ex- 

 tent at least in keeping up the Interest of the members and doing all in 

 his power to encourage them. We have found that this co-operation goes 

 a long way toward making for a successful club. 



The financing of the clubs which in some of the earlier club work was 

 more or less difficult, has been very easy to handle. There has not been 

 a community in which the Association has attempted club work in which 

 the bankers were not more than willing to co-operate to the extent of 

 taking the boys' and girls' notes in payment for the calves. 



Three Year Period Advocated 



• 

 The time period or duration of the clubs has varied. The Dairy Asso- 

 ciation has taken the stand that the club covering a period of three years 

 makes possible more definite and beneficial results than the short time 

 clubs. Where the heifers are kept In the possession of one boy or girl 

 or on one farm for a period of three years both the club member as 

 well as the parents have an opportunity to realize the possibilities in 

 the raising of purebred dairy cattle. If no hard luck is experienced at 

 the end of the three year period there should be one or possibly two 

 calves in addition to the original club heifer. Where the club is or- 

 ganized on a one-year basis such as has been the case in a great many 

 states, we are of the opinion that the member has not received the real 

 benefit which the club was organized to give. Unless bred heifers are 

 used there will be no calves dropped during the one year the heifer is 

 in the possession of the club member. The real possibilities in the breed- 

 ing phase of the club have then been overlooked. The ideal arrangement 

 and the one which the Dairy Association is encouraging is the three-year 



