44 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



out constructive ideas on how to build up and maintain a 

 profitable herd, I meant it; yet there is one fundamental 

 principle that is most important and that is the health of 

 your herds. 



It is a sad mistake to try to build up a herd of cattle, 

 either grades or pure-bred, unless you know that you are 

 building on a foundation that is sound and that is health. 

 From all outward appearances, we can tell practically noth- 

 ing. It is only by examination and scientific treatment that 

 we can determine the condition of our cows. 



Why speak now of tuberculosis among cattle? You 

 are fortunate indeed in this section of the state that the in- 

 fection is so limited. If nothing less, protect your interests 

 down here while you are building up your dairy industry. 

 That is, don't permit anyone to ship any infected cattle and 

 you buy them as healthy cattle. Insist that cattle brought 

 here and sold be healthy, that they come in here with a 

 test that is made by a creditable man and which has been 

 made within a reasonable length of time. 



I am getting away from the subject, so please excuse, 

 me. Nevertheless, we have in this state, as well as other 

 states, unscrupulous dealers bringing unhealthy cattle 

 through the various sections of the state. Unless an animal 

 can come from a source that you know something about, 

 have nothing whatever to do with it. 



If the cattle come tested, let them show you a record 

 of tests by some creditable man who is recognized. Then 

 you are in position to know something of the source. 



Tuberculosis in livestock has received more considera- 

 tion in the Ikst five years than perhaps any other agricul- 

 tural subject, not only from the producers, but also from 

 the consumer. Tuberculosis causes a greater loss every 

 year than all other diseases combined. 



Congress was besieged with a request with the view of 

 controlling and eventually eradicating the disease. In 1917 

 a plan was adopted by the U. S. Livestock Sanitary Board. 

 This plan was put in operation in every State in the Union. 

 In Illinois we started to work in 1918 with no appropria- 

 tion, very little co-operation and a great deal of opposition. 



