394 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



business. The amount of prize money offered annually by the various 

 herd book associations and the many district, state and national shows is 

 so great that the successful exhibitors find after the show campaign is 

 over a good balance to their credit. Their reputation as breeders of a 

 high class of stock has been greatly increased, their acquaintance ex- 

 tended and the value of the successful prize winners enhanced beyond 

 their fondest hopes and thousands of dollars added to the value of the 

 entire herd. In many instances beginners and young breeders who scarce 

 ly had a local reputation have bought, bred, fitted and so successfully 

 exhibited such a high class of cattle that their reputation is now world- 

 wide, brought about by their winnings in the great show yard contest?. 

 Such object lessons have these national and international shows proved 

 that the intelligent and ambitious young breeders can learn and accom- 

 plish more as breeders, in a few years, than formerly was possible In a 

 life time. 



The best cattle from all sections of the country come into competi- 

 tion. Expert judges award the prizes. The live stock press, with the 

 best talent at command, is present to commend or disapprove awards. 

 All these advantages are more forcibly impressed on the exhibitors than 

 on the non-exhibitors. In addition to these considerations for entering 

 the show arena you have the consciousness of having done your duty in 

 trying to advance the interest of the breed you think best. Certainly the 

 successful exhibitor has the balance on the right side of the ledger. 



It has not been an entirely losing game with the unsuccessful exhib- 

 itor. Probably too high an estimate was placed on the animals at home, 

 which all are liable to do, but if they are honest seekers of light by the 

 time they get through the grand circuit it will dawn upon them where 

 they are or rather the estimate others placed upon their cattle will be 

 understood and they will return home wiser for having been "shown." 

 Though defeated do not become discouraged. Put more energy, means 

 and ability into the business and success will crown determined efforts. 



W. A. McHenry: To the question: Will it pay a young breeder to 

 prepare his breeding stock for the show ring? I will say that in my opin- 

 ion the money he would get out of it after paying the expense of fitting 

 his herd, car fare and attendants from one fair to another will hardly 

 pay the average exhibitor. But there is another element that enters into 

 this matter which is equally as important as the money he receives — that 

 is of showing his cattle to the general public. If he succeeds in winniuu 

 with his cattle it advances his herd to the position of advertising wha^ 

 he has accomplished and thus leading the way to higher prices for his 

 cattle. If a breeder is to talk he must have something to talk about and 

 without a show yard record and show yard ancestry he has but little 

 to back his cattle. I would therefore say, carry the young cattle along 

 as best you can and if you find you have an outstanding winner take it to 

 the fairs; this individual may gain for you a reputation as a breeder that 

 will be valuable in the future. 



