492 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



nearly $80,200,000. In this state there are about 750.000 sheep, 

 valued at about $4,000,000; and about 6,500,000 head of swine, 

 valued at about $74,000,000. 



It is estimated that 9*4 per cent of all milch cows, 1 per cent of 

 all other cattle, and 2 per cent of all swine are lost from tubercu- 

 losis. Among milch cows the loss would amount to 145,225 head 

 valued at $5,272,500; among other cattle 360.000 head, valued at 

 $802,000 ; among hogs 130,000 head, valued at $1,480,000, making 

 a total loss from tuberculosis of 2.060,000 head, valued at $7,554,- 

 500 in the state of Iowa. 



These colossal figures enable us to form some idea of the sig- 

 nificance of the work of this bureau which seeks to protect this 

 vast number of domestic animals from infection and disease. It 

 will be evident that at best we can only check and control disease 

 among such numbers, but in the case of epidemics and diseases 

 generally prevalent, that is of great importance. It will be evident 

 also that in order to do even a moderate amount of inspection and 

 regulation, the department must be placed upon a firmer founda- 

 tion and given a substantial support. We again call attention to 

 the large appropriations made by adjoining states for this work, 

 notably in Minesota where the work has reached a high grade of 

 efficiency, and where the appropriation is approximately eight 

 times that of Iowa, and where the results secured more than com- 

 pensate for the expenditure. In fact, there can be no comparison 

 between actual savings in dollars and cents to stock owners from 

 this source, and the state appropriations made for this work. 



The establishment of such a department as this is liable to 

 prompt the thought that it is a luxury which affords no tangible 

 returns for the money invested. This view of the matter is dis- 

 pelled by an examination of the many instances of actual savings- 

 to stockmen and farmers, and the protection which prevents losses 

 from epidemics running into thousands. An instance may be men- 

 tioned where a man near Emerson purchased a cow in Nebraska, 

 a registered animal. Through the efforts of this department it 

 was discovered that the animal was infected with tuberculosis. 

 Measures were taken which resulted in the return of the purchase 

 price, together with costs, amounting altogether to a sum of about 

 $600. Directly, as in this and similar cases, as well as indirectly 

 in curbing the spread of infection, this department is annually 

 instrumental in accomplishing great savings to the state at large 

 and to individual stock growers and farmers. 



