Cal State Polytechnic College - El Rodeo Yearbook (San Luis Obispo, CA)

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MEAT ANIMALS DEPARTMENT Instruction in the Meat Animals department has been designed to fit the individual needs and problems of the prospective meat producer. Instruction in the feeding, care and management of the meat breeds is given in the class room and actual practice is gained from the student- owned project animals. Each boy is allowed to choose the type of project he wishes to conduct; whether it be fattening feeders for the market or the management of breeding stock in sheep, swine or cattle. Some of the meat produced by the projects is butchered and sold at the cafeteria by the students, but the majority of the produce is sold on the open market at San Francisco and Los Angeles, where, because of its reputation, Poly stock always tops the market. An intensive study of the opportunities for meat production in Cali- fornia is made. The locations most fitted for the production of meat ani- mals in California and the various feeds and climatic conditions are care- fully considered. The Poly herd records and registrations of the Hereford and Short- horn cattle, Duroc-Jersey and Poland-China hogs, and Rambouillet, South- down and Hampshire sheep are managed by the classes. Following the third year of work, and as modern California farms are available, the student is placed to complete his fourth year or the “Super- vised Commercial Farm Practice” year. An enviable record has been established by this department in the various livestock shows. Some of the outstanding winners of the 1932-33 season were: F. F. A. champion steer at Sacramento, F. F. A. champion steer and reserve grand champion of the Junior Livestock Show at San Francisco, champion Shorthorn at the same show, champion Shorthorn in the open class at the Great Western Livestock Show in Los Angeles; cham- pion Angus steer and grand champion pen of lambs at the spring show at South San Francisco. Although they did not win championships, many other project animals won prize money. The total amount of prize money won at these three shows amounted to $800, an average of $33 per student. Sales of student-owned stock total $9000. These pictures are for the school year of 1932-33. Many entries were made by the department in the First Annual Poly Royal Agricultural Show, held March 31. D. T. Batchelder, manager of the Rosemary Farms, was the judge of all livestock. The judging was based on the ability of the showman to fit and show his animals, rather than on the excellence of the animal, to give every stu- dent an equal chance. Because of this fact, each animal was judged twice, at the beginning of the fitting period and on the day of the show. Blue Boy, the reserve national champion Hampshire boar owned by the state associ- ation of Future Farmers and cared for by the local chapter, was exhibited but did not compete. Following the Poly Royal, many of the project animals were entered in the South San Francisco Junior livestock show held April 10-13.

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DAIRY DEPARTMENT The dairy department has faith in and is proud of its chosen vocation, dairying. The industry returns nearly one-fourth of the total income de- rived from agricultural products. Instruction and training are received in all phases of dairying. Abili- ties to feed, manage, breed and otherwise handle dairy cattle are developed. Learning to market and to handle dairy products is another phase of the work. In addition to class work here at school, much enjoyment and benefit have been derived from a considerable number of field trips over the state. Such breeding establishments as F. R. Bain. Palms; Brant Rancho, Canoga Park; Adohr Farms, Reseda; Milbrae Farms, Milbrae; Rosemary Farms, Santa Maria; and the Hearst Ranch at San Simeon were visited during the year. Our class has grown thirty-five percent since the beginning of the year. Members of the dairy class actually own more than twenty well-bred registered dairy cattle. Most of these will be shown at the fairs and milked while at school to help pay expenses. Later many of them will be taken home for the formation of foundation herds. In addition to the animals owned by the class, the school maintains a high-class, registered herd of ninety Jerseys, Guernseys and Holsteins. Many high records of production are made in a national test. The herd is federal accredited for tuberculosis and is free from abortion. Many of these animals have won show ring prizes. At the California State Fair at Sacramento, 1932, the Dairy students exhibited six animals; Elliot Sholian won a first-prize on his Guernsey bull, second on a Holstein heifer, and a second place in showmanship. Robert Pearl took third and fourth place with his two Holstein heifers, and a Jer- sey bull took a third prize in the open competition. The class has high hopes for this show this year as they have a considerably greater number of animals of a higher quality. The dairy department was represented at the Pacific Slope Dairy show by a judging team composed of Ray Hamilton, Leonard McLinn, Elliot Shohan. and Orville Spear. The team won second place in A.vrshires and Ray Hamilton won first place in the same breed. However it is not all work and no play with the dairy class. An organ- ization called the “Poly Dairy Club” has been organized and meets regularly once each month at which time some interesting speaker is invited to dis- cuss some phase of the industry. Orville Spear was elected president. Bill Clegg vice-president, and Clifford Bjork secretary-treasurer. Group din- ners and picnics have been very enjoyable occasions. The dairy division took a leading place in the Poly Royal this year. Elliot Shohan won the grand championship in showing and fitting with a Guernsey bull. The dairy club sponsored a dairy cow butterfat production estimating contest, and also had a booth for the sale of milk nickles and other dairy commodities.