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

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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.