4:24 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



In addition to the above mentioned work the Association has as- 

 sisted the managements of the County and District fairs to increase 

 their dairy departments. Production contests were also conducted 

 at a number of the local fairs. The organization of breeding and 

 testing associations has also been encouraged in a number of 

 localities. 



Like in former years the state dairy expert helped with the 

 management of the Dairy Cattle Congress which is held annually 

 with the State Dairy Association Convention. The Dairy Show since 

 its beginning in 1910 has been an important factor in encourag- 

 ing better dairying . It brings the best representatives of all the 

 leading breeds of dairy cattle in America to Iowa for the inspection 

 of the farmers and dairymen. In addition to the cattle there is a 

 large exhibit of butter and other dairy products as well as up-to- 

 date dairy farm equipment of all kinds. The convention proper is 

 held on the grounds of the show and furnishes an added attraction 

 to those seeking dairy information. 



The Iowa State Dairy Association in all of its work has been as- 

 sisted in a large measure by the other dairy interests of the State. 

 Chief among these is the Dairy and Food Department which had 

 a number of speakers on the trains throughout the tours and also 

 co-operated in all the other work. The individual dairymen have 

 also sacrificed portions of their time to educating their brother 

 farmers in better methods and giving them the benefit of valuable 

 experience. The Dairy Department of the Iowa State College and 

 the Department of the State Veterinarian has also given valuable 

 assistance each year. 



There is an extensive field for dairy educational work in Iowa. 

 The preliminary work of showing the vital relation of good dairy- 

 ing to permanent agriculture is being rapidly accomplished. If the 

 necessary funds are supplied the work can be extended and dairy- 

 ing made to be a very profitable department on the Iowa farm. 



ALFALFA. 



The acreage devoted to alfalfa, especially in dairy districts, is 

 rapidly increasing in Iowa from year to year. The men who contend 

 that alfalfa cannot be grown on Iowa land are harder to find than 



