300 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



AMONG THE BEEF BREEDS. 



THE SHORTHORNS. 



This section fell only a little short in numbers of last year, but it 

 missed appreciably some of the strong circuit herds which in former sea- 

 sons opened their campaign here. Eastern exhibitions caused some ab- 

 sences and resulted in split show herds. The exhibit was largely from 

 Iowa and revealed some capital breeding and fitting enterprise. While 

 the greater strength lay in the younger classes, where some animals of 

 the highest promise were decorated with ribbons, the toppers in the older 

 rings represented acceptable show stuff in many instances. Iowa breeders 

 are earnestly and successfully supporting the fair and gradual improve- 

 ment in the class of cattle shown reflects credit on their efforts. It needs 

 scarcely be said, however, that with the absence of most of the profes- 

 sional exhibitors, the display of the breed failed considerably to measure 

 up to some past standards. Honors were allotted by Capt. T. E. Robson, 

 London, Ont. 



Familiar names appear in the older classes. Sultan Mine went through 

 to the grand championship, and Dale's Gift was first among the cows, 

 but the two-year-old Maxwalton Missie 2d gained the senior championship, 

 only to lose crowning honors to the beautiful white junior yearling Village 

 Flower 2d. The Cumberlands as usual required reckoning with in the 

 younger classes. The prize list shows a well-defended state front against 

 the two invading herds from Wisconsin, and the herds from Indiana, 

 Illinois and Minnesota. 



THE HEREFORDS. 



The whitefaces continue to claim undisputed superiority among the 

 beef breeds on this ground in the uniform show character of their cattle. 

 With seven less exhibitors than in the Shorthorn section, but with eight 

 more entries, the contrast in show form and finish throughout the ex- 

 hibit was very distinctly favorable to the whitefaces. It was an old-time 

 show, made by old-time exhibitors, seasoned warriors in the mimic war- 

 fare of the arena. With united front Hereford breeders have for the 

 past few years been waging a vigorous campaign at the big shows, dis- 

 playing timber of the most attractive character, presented with a finish 

 that left nothing wanting. This is the opening of just such another cam- 

 paign. It finds the whiteface forces strong in individual equipment, 

 strong in their unity of effort. It was a brilliant uncovering of a fall cam- 

 paign. 



Fire was struck in the opening class. The two-year-old winner of last 

 year, Prince Perfection, was counted on for champion honors, but elimi- 

 nated in the opening round. Fairfax 16th bears a trifle of evidence of 

 prolonged campaigning, but Prof. J. C. Kinzer, Moscow, Idaho, who worked 

 with discrimination as judge, liked the older bull. He in -turn was de- 

 feated for the championship by the sensational senior yearling Repeater 

 7th, quite precocious as a representative of the latter-day Hereford show 

 bull. Perfection Lass came out of the two-year-old class of the past 

 season into premier honors clear to the purple, although stumbling blocks 

 beset her path. The contestants in the championship lists measured well 

 up to the high traditions of the breed. 



