The Fairs Division worked with the Massachusetts Wool Board, Inc., 1n 

 promtlng the use of local wool and lamb products, and assisted them In gathering, 

 processing and marketing their wool. Last year, members received $1.25 per lb. 

 for their clip as apposed to thirty eight cents per pound for wool on the com- 

 mercial market. 



The total appropriated budget for the fiscal year was $658,283.59 of this 

 total $570,783.59 were appropriated for the fair prize awards, fair Inspections, 

 promotional programs, and administration costs; $87,500 were appropriated for 

 the rehabilitation program to help assist with the upkeep at fair grounds. 



STANDARDBRED PROGRAM 

 Barbara E. Doll off. Supervisor 



The Standardbred Horse Breeding program encourages and promotes the 

 breeding, propagation, ownership, raising, racing and marketing of Standardbred 

 horses bred In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Thus It encourages the 

 keeping of open lands to promote agriculture and agricultural related Industries 

 within the Commonwealth. 



1983 brought many changes to the breeding program. It was the first full 

 year under the legislation Chapter 558 of the Acts of 1981, which enlarged the 

 cash prize awards. This program expansion created rapid growth 1n the Industry. 



In the past two years we have seen the number of stallions standing In the 

 State rise from 45 to 84. The mares bred have risen from 125 to 399. We have 

 seen many new farms being developed and many acres of land being implemented 

 Into the program. 



S1re Stakes Racing was held at seven different fair tracks across the 

 State, providing great entertalnmenmt for fair goers, and presenting to a wide 

 spectrum of the state's population the advantages of a Sire Stakes Program. 



This year has seen the addition of a spring racing series at Foxboro 

 Raceway for three year old trotters and pacers. The final purses for these 

 events were $15,000 for the trotters and $40,000 for the pacers . A total of 

 $400,000 was expended by the program this year and an additional $49,000 was 

 added towards purses by the horsemen, via sustaining payments and entry fees. 



The Standardbred Agricultural Fair and Breeding Fund Committee assist the 

 Commissioner in the administration of the program. This committee consists of 

 five members, one from the Massachusetts Fairs Association, one from 

 Massachusetts Farm Bureau, two from the breeding industry and one member at 

 large. These members are appointed for a five-year term with the Governor's 

 approval . 



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