CHAPTER VI 

 COMMUNITY BREEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 



What is community breeding? In the origin and im- 

 provement of the breeds of live stock, groups of people hav- 

 ing certain things in common within limited areas have 

 developed most of our breeds. A good example is found in 

 the development of Hereford cattle in England. All the 

 historical information we have shows that in the county of 

 Hereford in England the farmers centuries ago kept a cer- 

 tain class of cattle famous for beef production, that were very 

 hardy and well-suited to maintaining themselves on grass 

 lands. The people in this English county studied their local 

 conditions, and during the years greatly improved their cat- 

 tle, until they became satisfied they had the best breed for 

 their community. Very naturally some breeders were more 

 intelligent and more progressive than others, which fact was 

 reflected in the class of animals they produced. These men 

 found themselves working towards a common end, even 

 though the effort was free from organization. Thus in time 

 this community became famous for the excellence of its 

 herds. In Europe we find many sections in each of which 

 a certain breed has developed that has seemed to be especially 

 fitted to the local conditions. Many British breeds are 

 named after the counties in which they originated, as, for 

 example, Berkshire swine, Shropshire sheep, Devon cattle, 

 Aberdeen-Angus cattle, Yorkshire swine, etc. 



The importance of community breeding can hardly be 

 overestimated, for it always represents improvement and 

 progress in breed promotion. Co-operative breeding of farm 

 animals has resulted from community breeding. The first 

 co-operative movement for the systematic improvement and 



57 



