240 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



an annual summer picnic. At the picnics small cash prizes are 

 given for the best heifers exhibited. This association consists 

 of 22 members who invested $25 each, for which they have al- 

 ready had the use of good pure-bred bulls for 6 years. 



No Serious Weakness 



There appears to be no fundamental weakness in co-opera- 

 tive bull associations. Instead of spreading abortion, tubercu- 

 losis, or other communicable disease, the results so far seem to 

 indicate the reverse. For example, the Roland, Iowa, associa- 

 tion will not allow any one of its members to get the benefits 

 of the association until his herd has been tested for tuberculosis 

 and all reactors eliminated. One farmer who did not dispase 

 of the reactors after the tuberculin test was applied was refused 

 the use of bulls until he complied with the rules of the associa- 

 tion. The educational work of each association makes the mem- 

 bers alert to prevent the introduction and spread of disease of 

 any kind. The well-managed bull association requires that the 

 cattle of each member shall be tested for tuberculosis and takes 

 every known precaution to prevent the introduction of infectious 

 abortion. 



How To Organize 



When a number of neighboring farmers, interested in the 

 same breed, desire to organize a co-operative bull association, 

 they should have a meeting, elect a temporary chairman and 

 secretary, enter into a free and general discussion of the entire 

 subject, and then decide upon the advisability of forming a 

 permanent organization. A high point of efficiency is reached 

 when there are five breeding blocks and approximately 60 cows 

 in each block. Some successful organizations, however, have 

 a smaller number of blocks and as few as 35 cows to the block. 

 The greatest care should be taken in selecting bulls, as inferior 

 bulls will completely defeat the purpose of the organization 

 Some farmer, centrally located, should be selected to take care 

 of the bull, and each farmer should pay his share of the pur- 

 chase price. In addition, each farmer pays his share of all 

 other expenses, including the support of the bull; his share of 

 these expenses should not exceed $10 to $15 annually. 



