226 



DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



but three or four farmers constituted the entire association they must nec- 

 essarily live near each other. 



Requirements for Community Ownership of Dairy Sires. 



The first requirement in forming a community breeding asociation is 

 that those who are interested come together at a meeting and agree upon 

 some one breed. Then they should elect officers and adopt articles of organ- 

 ization and bylaws by which the association shall be governed. It may be 

 advisable for the association to incorporate under the state law if a num- 

 ber of groups are formed and several sires are to be purchased. 



The next important step will be the purchase of the sires required. 

 As the breed has already been decided upon, the quality of sires desired 

 and the price they can afford to pay must be considered. In general, the 

 best will be cheapest and the cost will depend upon the popularity of blood 

 lines secured and the reputation of the breeder from whom he is purchased. 

 The sires purchased should be from high producing dams and backed by 

 ancestry of high production. Unless the association is well acquainted with 

 the breeders and pedigrees of the animals it is usually best to buy only from 

 some reliable breeder, or confer with the Dairy or Animal Husbandry De- 

 partment of your Agricultural College. 



Advantages of Community Ownership of Dairy Sires. 



The advantages of community ownership are: 



1 — By the use of pure-bred dairy sires great improvement in the dairy 

 rstock is effected. 



2 — A greater interest in pure-bred and registered dairy cattle is de- 

 veloped. 



3 — The community becomes popular as a breeding center for one kind 

 of cattle. 



4 — The increased popularity causes an increased demand for dairy stock, 

 and as a result a higher market value for dairy stock. 



5 — Dairying becomes more profitable on account of the more economical 

 production of dairy products by the improved dairy cows and the increased 

 value of dairy cattle. 



Results of Community Breeding. 



No better evidence is needed to prove the good results of community 

 breeding than is found in Minnesota, Michigan, and New York. At North- 

 field, Minnesota, there are 225 herds of Holstein, consisting of over 4000 

 grade and pure-bred animals. The fame and popularity of Northfield as 

 a Holstein-breeding center is known everywhere; and it is said they cannot 

 supply the demand. Recently 30 head were sold from one herd for $9,000. 

 At the county fair held this last fall 84 pure-bred Holsteins were exhibited. 

 It is stated that one of the strongest business forces in the community at 

 Northfield is the community breeding of Holsteins. At Lake Mills, Wis- 

 consin, the organization of an association a number of years ago among a 

 few Holstein breeders has in a few years established a worldwide reputa- 

 tion for Lake Mills as a Holstein center. Here also the breeders find that 



