698 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



way exhibit, characterized the show in this department. Most of the 

 classes were not full, but, nevertheless, lovers of the shaggy backs were 

 enabled to see at least one or two excellent representatives of the breed 

 in every class. They showed quality, finish and breeding throughout the 

 show. 



FAT STEERS. 



Whenever the show ring competition becomes a battle of the breeds, 

 things get lively at the ringside. The liberal prizes hung up for fat 

 steers did not bring out a very large response from any one breed, al- 

 though each one had some good representatives. J. R. Peak & Son, of 

 Winchester, 111., and W. H. Dunwoody, of Minneapolis, Minn., won the 

 championships in their respective classes of Shorthorns. Makin Bros., of 

 Grandview, Mo., and Cargill & Price, of LaCrosse, Wis., showed the win- 

 ning animals in the grade and the pure-bred classes of Herefords. The 

 Angus awards all went to W. J. Miller, of Newton, Iowa. Then the six 

 winning animals were lined up and a committee composed of Thomas 

 Mortimer, Charles Escher and Capt. T. E. Robson, the judges respectively 

 of the three breeds represented, were appointed to choose the grand 

 champion fat steer of the fair. Just what happened when the committee 

 consulted would be hard to say. Very likely each man wanted to be real 

 generous and so voted for the other fellow's favorite breed. Maybe that 

 was the way of it and maybe not. Anyway, the committee refused the 

 splendid opportunity they had of choosing the winning fat bullock and 

 agreed to disagree. As the result, Prof. John A. Craig was called in to 

 settle the matter. It was a difficult job for Prof. Craig, with the lovers 

 of the three breeds looking to him for help, but he was game. After 

 a close examination he gave the first place to the grade Angus steer. My 

 Choice, owned by Mr. Miller. My Choice is a splendid example of block 

 fitness with the exception of a little lack of filling in the hind quarters. 

 He is low set, smooth and well fleshed, but more meat in the thighs will 

 improve him. After the cheering on the part of the lovers of the doddies 

 had died down the groups were brought in. The committee again looked 

 them over as before, and with the same results. Professor Craig was 

 again called to decide the matter, and this time he voted for the Short- 

 horns, making the trio of grade Shorthorns shown by Mr. Dunwoody the 

 grand champion group. While the Angus group had the grand champion 

 steer the other two steers were by no means mates for him. On the 

 other hand, the Short-horn trio were all strong individuals, uniformly 

 well built, and while not carrying the flesh of the best Angus, were never- 

 theless superior to the Angus and Hereford threes in the average type and 

 fitness. 



DAIRY BREEDS. 



Heretofore the Iowa State Fair has been one of the strongholds of 

 beef cattle in the corn belt and the dairy cow has been given but second- 

 ary consideration. This season, without crowding or detracting one bit 

 from the beef cattle display, an exhibition of dairy cattle was staged 

 which was a most creditable showing and one which has or will incline 



