108 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



ganized in Michigan in 1908. There are now 248 bull as- 

 sociations in 33 States. 



A study of the records of the daughters of bull-asso- 

 ciation bulls showed an average yearly mature production 

 of 8,071 pounds of milk and 342 pounds of butterfat. In 

 milk production the daughters excelled the dams by 13.5 

 per cent and in butterfat production by 14.4 per cent. 



Some of the sires are very outstanding. One sire was 

 mated with cows having an average yearly milk production 

 of 9,300 pounds and an average yearly butterfat produc- 

 tion of 347 pounds, yet his seven daughters from these cows 

 excelled their dams by 57 per cent in milk production and 

 by 44 per cent in production of butterfat. 



In many localities the banks are helping to finance 

 the purchase of better dairy sires. One bank helped to 

 finance the purchase of bulls for two bull associations. 



Through the system of transferring bulls from block 

 to block, the bull association makes it possible to keep all 

 proved bulls as long as they live or are fit for service. 



The State agriculture colleges and the Bureau of Dairy 

 Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture 

 will furnish information regarding the organization of bull 

 associations. 



In answer to the question, who should join a bull as- 

 sociation, every dairyman is a prospective member. The 

 bull association is adapted to every locality and to dairy 

 herds of all sizes. 



The typical bull association consists of five blocks to 

 each of which one bull is assigned. All the bulls are owned 

 by the association. 



If possible proved bulls should be selected. When this 

 is impossible the bulls should be selected on the production 

 records of dams and granddams. 



In a bull association the bulls must all be of the same 

 breed. 



Much progress has been made by selecting bulls on the 

 records of their dams and granddams. The most rapid pro- 

 gress can not come until dairy sires are selected on the pro- 

 duction records of their daughters. 



