THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION 269 



advertising can be made beneficial and a local breeders' directory 

 can be printed, both of which will aid the breeders materially in 

 getting better acquainted, in the exchange of cattle, and in out- 

 side advertising. 



If a breeder cannot fill an order, it is to his advantage to 

 have a neighbor who can fill it, and to this end a list of stock for 

 sale can be published periodically. Through co-operation the 

 very best bulls can be secured and retained within the county or 

 section covered by the organization. Bulls which have proved 

 their worth can be passed from one herd to another, and in 

 some cases co-operative ownership of bulls would be of advant- 

 age. Such associations could co-operate in securing better laws 

 regulating the live-stock trade, controlling contagious diseases, 

 etc. By co-operating with farmers' institutes better speakers 

 on dairy subjects could be secured and general dairy informa- 

 tion could be distributed among the members. The exhibits at 

 state and county fairs could be greatly improved by offering bet- 

 ter inducements to residents of the state or county who exhibit 

 stock of their own breeding. 



Value of Records. 



Along with the increased interest in better cattle comes 

 a more general interest in the keeping of records and in breed- 

 ing for production rather than simply for pedigree and form. 

 The man who breeds for form and fancy points alone is very 

 apt to be grievously disappointed in production. The time is 

 already here when the cow which cannot show a good milk or 

 fat record is not desired for breeding purposes by intelligent 

 dairymen. As stated before, but few breeders in the state have 

 kept records of milk or fat or have taken advantage of the 

 official test and advanced register. Individual records are of 

 great value in breeding operations as well as in disposing of sur- 

 plus stock. The bull calf from a cow with a good record may be 

 sold for double the 'price it would bring without such record. If 

 dairy cattle are at all worthy of a place in economic agriculture, 

 it is because of their production of milk and butter fat and not 

 because of their beauty or beef-producing qualities. 



