FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION 205 



It is much more difficult, however, to secure data showing 

 the influence of the purebred dairy sire in increasing the pro- 

 duction of a scrub or grade herd. In practically all cases where 

 purebred sires are used, improved methods of feeding and man- 

 aging the herd are initiated at about the same time. And while 

 no one denies the value of this introduction of ''dairy blood," 

 definite data showing the value of the purebred sire on the 

 scrub or common herd, independent of improved feeding, have 

 not been available. 



Owing to the large investment required, only a small percent 

 of the dairy farmers can have purebred herds. Consequently the 

 greater part of the dairy products of the country come from 

 grade cows. Therefore everything that will increase their pro- 

 duction is of great importance. Many farmers with common 

 cattle are desirous of entering the dairy business. Their prob- 

 lem is to decide which method of entry is the better, ''buying 

 in," or "growing in." Everyone knows that a good dairy herd 

 can be bought, but many have found that this method is not 

 only expensive, if really good cows are secured, but hazardous, 

 due to the introduction of diseases. Many also buy up a herd 

 before they learn from experience that proper feed and manage- 

 ment must be given to the animals. The question of greatest 

 importance and frequently asked is, "Can such a herd be pro- 

 duced from a foundation of common cows where the initial ex- 

 pense is the price of a good purebred dairy sire ?" It is import- 

 ant that this question ht answered satisfactorily and with assur- 

 ance of final success and also of a reasonable income from the 

 heifers resulting from the mating with the first purebred sire, 

 before many farmers will attempt to build up efficient and eco- 

 nomical dairy herds, using as the foundation the cows they 

 already own. 



Objects of This Investigation 



In this investigation it is attempted to determine the in- 

 fluence of purebred dairy sires in increasing the production from 

 a foundation of scrub cows as well as the eflfect of improved 

 feeding and management. In order that other influencing fac- 

 tors might be brought to a minimum, scrub cows from an iso- 

 lated region of Arkansas were selected for the basis of this work 



