FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART-VII 457 



keep them in the herd for ten years, which should he the working life 

 of a good cow, and the total loss is $1,200. This measures the real value 

 of this bull — $1,200 less than nothing. This is not an exceptional case, 

 for I venture the assertion that there are thousands of bulls in service 

 today that are lowering the average annual yield from ten to fifty pounds. 

 Any dairyman who is wise enough to weigh and test his milk will learn 

 from this a lesson and use care and judgment in selecting his next bull. 

 The following result is not too great to attain. A sire may be secured 

 that is so good his forty daughters will yield 100 pounds more butter 

 annually than did their mothers. At 30 cents per pound, this equals $30 

 each, annually — $1,200 for the herd, or $12,000 gain during a ten-year 

 period. The bull need not cost a great price in the beginning, but what 

 is his real intrinsic value? 



Any dairyman who thinks seriously on this question will seek infor- 

 mation that will aid him in avoiding the poor bull that is costing farmers 

 millions yearly. 



ESSENTIAL POINTS OF GOOD BULL. 



It is a most difficult task to find a bull capable of increasing perceptibly 

 the production of a herd that is yielding from 300 to 600 pounds of 

 butter-fat a year, but the task is simple with herds averaging from 150 

 to 300 pounds. To begin with, the dairyman must have clearly defined 

 in his mind the purpose for which he is selecting a bull. If it is merely 

 for increased production fewer factors need consideration than if a true 

 breeder is desired to better the appearance, type, uniformity, character, 

 and conformation of his herd. Being compelled to admit that it is 

 possible to secure both excellence of conformation and production in one 

 and the same animal, I am going to offer you the following suggestions, 

 and I trust you will give them careful consideration. When you go 

 home, study the pedigree of the bull you are using, note carefully his 

 conformation, and, above all, determine whether or not his daughters 

 are an improvement over their mothers. If he is not up to the standard, 

 get rid of him and set about it diligently to select his successor with the 

 following points in mind: 



First, breed; second, pedigree; third, masculinity; fourth, prepotency; 

 fifth, individuality; sixth, age; seventh, cost. 



I mention breed first because it must be first determined before the 

 other points can be given intelligent consideration. Taking it for 

 granted your experiences have proved to you that your selection should 

 be made from one of the dairy breeds. I suggest that you choose 

 the breed you like best, for a man will unconsciously give better care 

 to stock he admires. Bear in mind that those who are guiding the des- 

 tinies of each of the special dairy breeds are aiming at one end, namely, 

 great and economical production of milk and butter-fat. There are good 

 animals and poor animals in every breed. 



DAIRY cows vs. DUAL PUBPOSE COWS. 



It is true the world today faces the most serious shortage of beef that 

 it has ever known, but this is hardly the dairyman's responsibility. Some 

 would lead us to believe so, but whenever the packer is willing to share 



